Celebrating Boardroom Excellence: The 2025 NACD Awards Announced

NACD Honors Leading Directors and Governance Professionals

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is proud to announce its 2025 honorees for the prestigious Directorship 100 Awards. This recognition celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing corporate governance and boardroom practices. Each recipient exemplifies integrity, high performance standards, and a commitment to ethical leadership.

Recognizing Excellence in Governance

The NACD Directorship 100 is more than just an awards program; it highlights the remarkable individuals who influence boardroom dynamics and drive corporate success. Annually, it showcases corporate directors and governance professionals whose achievements set benchmarks for the industry.

B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award

This esteemed award acknowledges an individual with a dedicated career in fostering exemplary corporate governance. The 2025 award is presented to:

Donald Knauss: His impressive background includes leadership roles at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg), McKesson, and Target, along with his contributions to various educational and community boards.

Directors of the Year

Every year, the NACD highlights outstanding directors in various sectors. The Directors of the Year are honored for their exemplary service and adherence to the standards of director professionalism.

Public Company Director of the Year

Patty Bedient, NACD.DC: Recognized for her impactful role at Alaska Air Group and various other organizations, Patty's leadership and governance expertise are commendable.

Private Company Director of the Year

Jack Lazar: With a robust portfolio that includes stewardship at Astera Labs and GlobalFoundries, Jack embodies the ethos of effective governance in private enterprises.

Nonprofit Director of the Year

Theresa Fay-Bustillos: As a dedicated leader at Benetech, Theresa's contributions to nonprofit organizations underscore the essential role of ethical leadership in community service.

Celebrating Leadership and Impact

Peter Gleason, NACD president and CEO, expressed pride in the 2025 honorees, stating, "These individuals set a powerful example of boardroom leadership excellence. Their contributions have made a lasting impact on their companies and stakeholders." He emphasized the importance of these leaders in driving corporate progress.

The upcoming awards gala promises to highlight these extraordinary individuals' achievements, providing an evening of celebration and recognition.

Looking Ahead to the Awards Gala

The 2025 NACD Directorship 100 Awards Gala is set to be a grand event where honorees will be celebrated for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to corporate governance. This black-tie gala is not only an occasion to honor a select group of directors and governance professionals but also a platform to discuss the future of boardroom practices.

Additionally, the event will showcase the 50 directors and 50 governance professionals recognized by NACD, who will also be featured in the annual list published by the organization.

About the National Association of Corporate Directors

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) has been a leading organization in corporate governance for over 47 years. With a mission to elevate the effectiveness of boards, NACD provides valuable insights, training, and resources to its members.

Through its extensive network of over 24,000 members and more than 20 chapters, NACD supports boards in navigating the complex challenges faced in today’s business environment. Their programs such as the NACD Directors Summit and Directorship Certification are instrumental in fostering professional development among directors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NACD Directorship 100?

The NACD Directorship 100 is an annual list that recognizes outstanding corporate directors and governance professionals who have made significant contributions to the boardroom practices.

Who received the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025?

Donald Knauss was honored with the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to corporate governance and board leadership.

What categories are included in the NACD awards?

The awards span six categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Public Company Director of the Year, Private Company Director of the Year, Nonprofit Director of the Year, and Governance Professionals.

When will the awards gala take place?

The 2025 NACD Directorship 100 Awards Gala will occur on December 11, 2025.

How does NACD support corporate directors?

NACD offers valuable insights, professional development events, and resources to its members, assisting them in enhancing governance practices and leadership skills.

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