2022 Dominion Energy Torch Award for Ethical Leadership Announced

Arlington, VA – The Leadership Center for Excellence has selected Chef Ype von Hengst for the 2022 Dominion Energy Torch Award for Ethical Leadership.

Chef Ype is the Executive Chef and Co-Founder of the Silver Diner. He is a passionate promoter of health and wellness, particularly for children. This is evident through his efforts to source produce for his 19 restaurants from local farms, and advance healthy children’s menus. His efforts reach beyond his restaurants. His “Eat Well, Do Well” program has raised more than $1M to support school nutrition and fitness programs. Plus, since 2018 he has partnered with Real Food for Kids, a local nonprofit, to serve those in need. This includes partnering with Real Food for Kids during the COVID-19 pandemic, to produce more than 100,000 healthy meals for families throughout the Washington, D.C. area. LCE is honored to recognize Chef Ype’s efforts to support the communities his restaurants serve. 

“We are pleased to partner with Dominion Energy to lift up individuals in our community who seek to manifest values of ethical and service-oriented leadership”, said Lisa Fikes, President and CEO of the Leadership Center for Excellence. “These types of leaders, including this year’s recipient, Chef Ype von Hengst, are worthy of thanks and celebration.”

“We are proud to present the Dominion Energy Torch Award for Ethical Leadership to Silver Diner’s Executive Chef and Co-Founder Ype von Hengst,” said Scott Price, Regional Policy Director, Dominion Energy. “When the pandemic shuttered restaurants, von Hengst partnered with a non-profit to bring back furloughed staff and provide more than 100,000 healthy meals for needy families. Since then, his team has raised more than $130,000 to provide healthy meal kits to struggling families. Von Hengst is a leader who makes ethical choices every day while bringing his passion for health, wellness, and sustainable agriculture to all 20 beloved Silver Diners.”

Price will present the award to Chef Ype at the Leadership Center’s annual Regional Leadership Summit on Friday, May 20. The Summit is a half-day leadership development program and also serves as the culmination of the Leadership Center’s Class of 2022 programs including Leadership Arlington, Leadership Alexandria, and Ignite Young Professionals. The Summit will feature Amanda Ripley, bestselling author, and investigative journalist as the keynote speaker. Following the conclusion of the program, Summit attendees and LCE alumni are invited to a reception. Learn more and register at leadercenter.org/summit. There are opportunities available to participate both in-person and virtually.

About Leadership Center for Excellence

The mission of the Leadership Center for Excellence is to connect, develop, and inspire leaders for personal growth, civic engagement, and community impact. For more information, visit leadercenter.org or call (703) 528-2522.

Media Contact
Jennifer Roeder
Communications Consultant
(703) 528-2522
jroeder@leadercenter.org