Corporate Board Member’s Annual Board Leadership Awards honor exemplary companies and individuals who go beyond the basic requirements of governance, regulation and compliance and serve as models for other companies and individuals to emulate.
The awards underscore the role that corporate governance and effective board leadership plays in driving a company’s success and a board’s contribution to long-term value.
After a time of unprecedented challenges, the awards seek to shine a light on those boards who are making a positive impact serving all of their stakeholders—shareholders, employees, customers, partners and communities.
Adaptability is the central theme running through the boardroom stories behind this year’s Corporate Board Member Board Leadership Awards. Chosen by a panel of their peer directors, each of the three recipients boasts a track record that attests to an essential capability of governance today – the ability to stay current, steadfast and capable during a time of constant, rapid change.
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Chair of the Board at Abercrombie & Fitch, Nigel Travis has been recognized as Independent Director of the Year for leading a dramatic turnaround. Since becoming chair in 2023, he helped the company’s stock more than quadruple amid major geopolitical trade disruptions.
Former SEC Chair and distinguished partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, Mary Jo White received the Greatest Impact on Corporate Boards honor. She’s celebrated for her transformative work in governance reform—most notably spearheading adoption of the universal proxy card—and guiding high-stakes contested board elections.
The GE Aerospace board is being honored with the Courage in the Boardroom award for its leadership during one of the most significant corporate restructurings of the 21st century. Their work guiding GE through the complex separation into three focused companies delivered outsized shareholder returns and set a new standard for transformation in the industrials sector.
Chairman, Boeing; Former Lead Director, Marriott International; CBM’s 2022 honoree for Courage in the Boardroom
Chairman, Topgolf Callaway Brands; Lead Director, Visa; CBM’s 2023 Director of the Year
Chair, Mastercard; CBM’s 2024 Director of the Year
Lead Independent Director, Bank of America; Director, Textron and Ecolab; CBM’s 2022 Director of the Year
Director, General Mills, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Guidewell Holdings, Miramar Services and Helios Education Foundation
Director, Bank of America; Former Director, Whirlpool and Kimberly-Clark; Former Chair and CEO, DIRECTV
Chair, Molina Healthcare; CBM’s 2024 honoree for Courage in the Boardroom
Joseph Shalleck, Managing Director, AlixPartners
Jamie Tassa, Publisher, Corporate Board Member
Read DuPriest, Managing Director, AlixPartners
Dan Bigman, Chief Content Officer, Corporate Board Member
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