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.

Honorees are typically recognized in person at the Annual ILA Global Conference.

2017 DistinguishedLeadership Award Winner George Papandreou - former Primer Minister of Greece - with ILA President Cynthia Cherrey

Past Winners of the Distinguished Leadership Award

2023

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin

Chief Justice of Canada (2000 – 2017); Companion of the Order of Canada 

2021

Kim Campbell

The Right Honourable Kim Campbell

Canada’s nineteenth and first female Prime Minister

2021

John, Lord Alderdice

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

Vaclav Havel

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

Fire Department of New York

2000

Frances Hesselbein

Frances Hesselbein

Founder, Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management

1999

US Representative John Lewis

US Representative John Lewis, Georgia

Civil Rights leader