ATLANTA — Cox Enterprises, a global company dedicated to empowering people to build a better future, announced the winners of the 2026 Chairman’s Challenge, an annual campaign that rewards employees and their nonprofits of choice for environmental stewardship.
This year’s challenge centered on Cox’s science-aligned conservation goals, which includes targets for carbon and climate, water, circularity and waste, and habitat and species. Between March 30 and May 1, Cox volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours, participated in more than 80 events and supported more than 25 nonprofit organizations.
More than 3,100 employees took part, earning points each time they participated in designated activities. Top scorers worked with the James M. Cox Foundation to provide grants to environmental nonprofits of their choice.
$15,000 grant recipients and chosen nonprofits:
• Patience Dickmu, Cox Automotive — Air Alliance Houston
• Stephanie Tysinger, Cox Communications — Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
• Lisa Thomas, Cox Enterprises — South River Watershed Alliance
$2,500 grant recipients and chosen nonprofits:
• Lisette Martinez, Cox Automotive — Georgia Native Plant Society
• Eric Huret, Cox Communications — North American Butterfly Association
• Heather Estes, Cox Enterprises — Groundwork Indy
The Chairman’s Challenge is one example of Cox’s environmental commitment, connecting employee volunteerism, community partnerships and philanthropic support to organizations advancing conservation in communities Cox serves.
By the numbers:
• 3,100+ employees participated in the 2026 Chairman’s Challenge
• 10,000+ volunteer hours contributed between March 30 and May 1
• 80+ events supported across Cox’s conservation focus areas
• 25+ nonprofit organizations supported through employee volunteerism
• $52,000+ in grants awarded to six environmental nonprofits selected by top-scoring employees
Jim Kennedy, chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation, launched the first Chairman’s Challenge in 2012 to advance Cox’s commitment to driving positive change, building on the Cox Conserves program established in 2007, which has invested more than $183 million in over 500 environmental projects focused on energy, water, waste reduction and biodiversity.
Earlier this year, Cox Enterprises announced that it has surpassed $3 billion in cleantech investments across advanced recycling, indoor agriculture, renewable resources and sustainable infrastructure.
About Cox Enterprises
Cox Enterprises is a global, privately held company that owns, operates and invests in businesses across multiple industries, including automotive, broadband and mobile, greenhouse agriculture, renewable energy and journalism. Guided by its purpose to build a better future for this generation and the next, Cox’s diverse family of businesses deliver solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since its founding in 1898, Cox Enterprises has been fueled by a relentless focus on innovation, resilience and a deep commitment to people, the planet and progress. To learn more about Cox’s history and how it’s shaping what’s next, visit CoxEnterprises.com.
