CED Announces Recipients of Its 2021 Distinguished Leadership Awards

Today, the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) announced the six outstanding business leaders and their companies that will be receiving the CED Distinguished Leadership Awards. An annual CED tradition recognizing corporate citizenship and business stewardship, this year's awards pay special tribute to business leaders and their companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in very challenging times, including defeating the pandemic, ensuring an economic recovery that provides equal opportunity for all Americans, and building a more civil and just society. CED will present the awards to the distinguished honorees on October 25, 2021, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. This year, CED will also recognize the frontline health care workers who selflessly served their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 "The leadership in the nation's interest these distinguished honorees have demonstrated embody the best of business stewardship and corporate responsibility, by navigating their companies, communities, and country through a time of vast disruption," said Lori Esposito Murray, President of CED. "By recognizing these exemplary leaders and companies, CED inspires others to follow in their footsteps – and advance policies in the nation's interest that provide equal opportunity for all." 

 CED is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Distinguished Leadership Awards:

• Karen S. Lynch, President & CEO of CVS Health

• Award presented by Marc N. Casper, Chairman, President & CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific

• John W. Rogers, Jr., Founder, Chairman, Co-CEO & CIO of Ariel Investments

• Award presented by Valerie Jarrett, President of the Barack Obama Foundation and Senior Distinguished Fellow at The University of Chicago Law School

• Margaret Keane, Executive Chair of Synchrony

• Award presented by Tom Wilson, Chair, President & CEO of Allstate Corporation

• Judy Marks, President & CEO of Otis

• Award presented by Ellen Kullman, President & CEO of Carbon

• Noubar Afeyan, Founder & CEO of Flagship Pioneering and Co-Founder & Chairman of Moderna

• Award presented by Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co., Inc.

• Brian Moynihan, Chairman & CEO of Bank of America

• Award presented by Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture

About the Honorees

Leading up to the event, honorees will participate in CED's conversation series, Leadership in Challenging Times. In these discussions, this year's recipients will share how they are extending their leadership beyond company walls, helping chart a path forward amid the economic, social, and health crises confronting the nation.

About CED 

The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led public policy center that delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions in the nation's interest. CED Trustees are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies who bring their unique experience to address today's pressing policy issues. Collectively they represent 30+ industries, over a trillion dollars in revenue, and over 4 million employees. 

About The Conference Board 

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States.