Legacy of Leadership Awards

The Legacy of Leadership Awards, a signature event at the conference, heralds the accomplishments of individuals and organizations making significant contributions to shaping the destinies of past, current and future generations of leaders. This year, remarkable women who exemplify strategic leadership and embrace the importance of building wealth, entrepreneurship and paying it forward are being honored. Held on the first night of the Conference, the awards dinner is an elegant evening of memorable entertainment, outstanding speakers and inspiring stories of leadership.

Previous honorees include:

• Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President, The Republic of Liberia
  
  
• Dr. Wangari Maathai, Founder, The Green Belt Movement, 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate
  
  
• John E. Pepper, Jr., Chairman, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Chairman of the Board, Walt Disney Company
  
  
• Sara Manzano-Diaz, Director, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
  
  
• Marie C. Wilson, Founder and President Emeritus, The White House Project
  
  
• Beverly Wright, Former Five Term Chairperson, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah
  
  
• Professor Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell,  Associate Professor, Tuck School at Dartmouth
  
  
• Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  
  
• David Thomas, N. Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
  
  
• Ann Wilson Cramer, Director for IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, IBM
  
  
• Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, President and CEO of Roosevelt Thomas Consulting and Training
  
  
• Shinae Chun, Director, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor 
  
  
• Vivian Stringer, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Rutgers University
  
  
• Monica Pearson, Veteran News Anchor
  
  

• Evelyn Lowery, Civil Rights Champion and S.C.L.C./W.O.M.E.N., Inc. Founder