Aleš Ugovšek is the General Manager of M Sora d.d., a cooperative company with internal employee co-ownership and nearly 300 employees across five countries. The group produces premium wooden and wood-aluminum windows for the global market, sells builders' hardware, supplies the local community through its retail stores, and purchases milk, livestock, and timber through the cooperative.

As a new-generation leader, he combines strategic vision, humanity, and responsibility. After years of managing projects, development, and strategy, he took over the leadership of the nearly 300-member group and steered M Sora towards a deliberate evolution—optimizing processes, digitalization, strengthening marketing, fostering greater innovation, and setting a clear vision for 2028. His colleagues describe him as a calm, thoughtful, and unifying leader who builds a culture of collaboration and accountability.

He is an experienced moderator of public debates, roundtables, and workshops, as well as a co-creator of the podcasts Hiša (House) and Gravitacija (Gravity). He actively collaborates with the local community and educational institutions while also mentoring young entrepreneurs. He describes himself as a husband to one wife and a father of four, who prefers finding his inspiration in quiet morning runs high above the valley.

"Even more than proud, I am grateful today. To my coworkers, the team, my family, and everyone who nominated me for this recognition. Pride and gratitude are contrasting, yet at the same time connected, emotions. Every success of ours is paved with the efforts of many others. That is why this award is yours as well," Ugovšek said upon receiving the award.