Distinguished Leadership Award
This award is presented to individuals whose contribution to the understanding of and/or practice of effective leadership are significant and have resulted in extraordinary impact which transcends national boundaries. Recipients bestowed the Distinguished Leadership Award serve as inspiring examples to all who labor to make positive change in this world. Awardees are chosen and affirmed by the ILA Board Executive Committee, in consultation with the chair of that year’s Global Conference.
Honorees are typically recognized in person at the ILA Global Conference.
Past Winners of the Distinguished Leadership Award
2023
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin
Chief Justice of Canada (2000 – 2017); Companion of the Order of Canada
2021
The Right Honourable Kim Campbell
Canada’s nineteenth and first female Prime Minister
2021
John, Lord Alderdice
Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords
2017
George Papandreou
Former Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011)
2012
James Joseph
Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa
2009
Writer, Dramatist, Citizen, President
2007
Warren Bennis
Leadership scholar
2005
Manfred Kets de Vries
Leadership scholar, professor, and consultant
2004
Georgia Sorenson
Founding Director, Academy of Leadership and leadership scholar
2003
Larraine Matusak
Former Director, WK Kellogg Foundation leadership programs
2002
James MacGregor Burns
Leadership scholar and Pulitzer Prize winning author
2001
Fire Department of New York
2000
Frances Hesselbein
Founder, Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management
1999
US Representative John Lewis, Georgia
Civil Rights leader
