NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Michael Lefenfeld, co-founder and chief executive officer of SiGNa Chemistry, is among an elite group of individuals selected for its 2016 class of Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forum announced today. Since 2004, the World Economic Forum has selected exceptional entrepreneurs, artists, and young leaders across the globe, lauding promising, globally-minded individuals for their dedication to making the world a better, more peaceful place. Past Young Global Leaders alumni include Sergei Brin, Jack Ma, Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, and David Cameron. Lefenfeld was chosen from a pool of thousands of candidates for his significant scientific, entrepreneurial, and social contributions, and the impact his work has had in the fields of healthcare, industrial chemistry, and energy.

“Smart, scientific thinking can radically improve our lives, and help solve the most pressing problems of our day. Issues such as clean energy, better medicines, and access to food and water can all be solved in part through better science,” said Lefenfeld. “I’m honored to be named a Young Global Leader and to be in the company of others who address the critical technical and social issues of our world every day.”

Lefenfeld’s career has been devoted to the development of clean, innovative technologies that benefit the world’s environment and economy across a span of industries and products, including safer and cleaner manufacturing processes, more effective energy recovery systems and medical technologies, as well as effective, affordable consumer products.

“Technology is reshaping the way global economies work and how jobs are created,” said John Dutton, director and head of the Young Global Leaders Community. “For young leaders, this encompasses the most promising innovations of our day, but also the challenges of huge disruptions to labour markets, socioeconomic and demographic changes, resource scarcity, global conflicts and slowing productivity. We want these young leaders to be part of the solution and to provide a community that helps them to break down silos, work across sectors, bridge cultures and enhance the skills to get things done in private, public and civil society organizations.”

The 2016 Young Global Leaders list includes 122 leaders around the world in technology, politics, and the arts.