Award Ceremony Set in the Big Apple
In an industry where recognition often feels as transient as a ticker's daily high, the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) is doing its bit to emphasize the lasting impact individuals can make. On September 16 in New York City, Helio Fred Garcia will be honored with the 2026 Pat Ford Larger Than Life Impact Award at the DAA's Annual G.E.M.S. Honors Reception. This isn't just your run-of-the-mill award ceremony; it's a nod to Garcia's near half-century of steering leaders through the choppy waters of crisis and ethical conundrums.
Garcia's Legacy: Beyond Lip Service
Let's talk numbers: Garcia's track record spans over 45 years, counseling top-tier executives from Fortune 500 companies. His name commands respect in circles where decision-making muscles are flexed, molding responses not just to the market's swings, but to moral predicaments that can define an organization's core. That's the kind of reputation that doesn't come easy, folks.
More than just steering corporate ships through crises, Garcia's also shaped the field of allyship. He dedicated 15 years to the board of Freedom to Marry and took leadership positions at the Interfaith Alliance Foundation and Religions for Peace. His efforts continually emphasize marriage equality, religious pluralism, and interfaith cooperation. When it comes to walking the talk, Fred picks the hard, steep path and carries others along.
Award With a Purpose: Changing the Narrative
This award isn't some desk ornament. Established in 2025, the Pat Ford Larger Than Life Impact Award honors those who leverage their platforms for the greater good. Think of recipients as disruptors who shake the status quo to make room for underrepresented voices, much like Ford himself did.
"Fred has never treated giving his time and talent to this industry as an obligation. He shows up fully, challenges leaders to act with integrity," said Andrea Williams of DAA.
Helio Fred Garcia is making waves, not just ripples, defining standards for others to aspire to. He's throwing pebbles into the pond of equity and opportunity for communicators, creating a ripple effect that carries far beyond the profession.
Connecting the Dots: Burson's Role
The Pat Ford Award is backed by Burson, a nod to the legacy of its namesake. Pat Ford, who spent decades as a leader at Burson-Marsteller, was known for his advocacy, and this sponsorship ties together the threads of history and progress. The bridge between Garcia and Ford is built on shared ethos—mentorship, speaking truth to power, and improving the profession.
Garcia's leadership extends to DAA's Inclusive Communications Leadership Certification, a testament to his ongoing influence in nurturing the next generation of communicators with the right tools to shift corporate paradigms toward equity and inclusivity.
G.E.M.S.: Celebrating Exceptional Leaders
Named "Growth in Equity is a Measure of Sustainability," G.E.M.S. is not your everyday honor. It celebrates leaders whose professional excellence and deep-seated commitment to mentorship uplift the larger narrative.
Under the stewardship of its president and CEO Carmella Glover, who cut her teeth as Garcia's graduate student at NYU, the DAA stands firm in its resolve to mirror the diversity of society in its leadership. Founded in 2019, this organization serves as a watchdog and architect in equal measure, laying down standards for progress while ensuring they are met.
Seeing organizations like DAA step up the plate gives a sense of direction. The market isn't just about numbers; it's also a reflection of society’s moral compass and the storytellers who shape its narrative.
Sure, the stock exchange doesn't tally up acts of integrity or showcase justice on an earnings call, but recognizing purpose-driven leadership sets a precedent—something that investors, industry leaders, and newcomers alike should take note of. As Helio Fred Garcia receives his award, the profession takes another step forward in ensuring leadership is as much about conscience as it is about commerce.
