Chicago United, a membership organization that promotes corporate diversity and inclusion, today announced the recipients of the 2009 National and Chicago Bridge Awards. Michael E. Szymanczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Altria Group, Inc., will receive the National Bridge Award for exemplary practices of a Fortune 500 corporation and Gregory Case, president and chief executive officer of Aon Corporation, will receive the Chicago Bridge Award for supporting the development of a vibrant and richly diverse business community in the Chicago region.
The awards will be presented at Chicago United’s 6th Annual Changing Color of Leadership Conference and Bridge Awards Dinner on November 10 at the Hilton Chicago. A committee of corporate and non-profit executives, entrepreneurs and academics selected Szymanczyk and Case as the Bridge Award recipients based on an examination of publicly-available data along with select qualitative attributes of the company, such as supplier and workforce diversity.
The National Bridge Award represents the first national award that honors a CEO who is an advocate for multiracial diversity in corporate governance and executive level management. This award brings visibility to those who have managed change, and inspires others to follow.
“I have the privilege of leading a company with a rich history of supporting diversity and inclusion at all levels, including our board of directors,” said Szymanczyk. “We believe that engaging our entire organization to bring diverse perspectives together in real conversations about business issues produces the best thinking and the best results. The prestigious National Bridge Award recognition is a testament to Altria’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and I am honored to receive the award on behalf of our companies, our board and our employees.”
Case said he is proud that Aon’s diversity initiatives are recognized not only in the risk management and human capital industries, but also in the broader business community.
“I am humbled and honored to accept the Bridge Award on behalf of my 37,000 global Aon colleagues who are committed to providing an inclusive environment to our firm,” said Case. “By embracing the needs of our clients and the talent imperatives of the communities we serve, and by cascading our diversity strategy throughout our global organization, Aon continues to focus on hiring the best, building the best, and being the best.”
Both Altria and Aon serve as exemplary models for companies who want to better implement corporate diversity and inclusion best practices that work, said Gloria Castillo, president of Chicago United.
“With the continued leadership of companies like Altria and Aon starting at the very top with their diverse boards of directors, the business community has role models to successfully implement sustainable diversity and inclusion initiatives,” Castillo said. “Chicago United is happy to honor those who demonstrate such leadership even as business priorities undergo change in response to the challenging economy.”
Past National Bridge Award recipients include Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of Pepsico Inc.; Ronald A. Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Aetna Inc.; and H. Lee Scott, Jr., retired president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Past Chicago Bridge Award recipients include John W. Rowe, chairman and chief executive officer, Exelon Corporation; James Skinner, vice chairman and chief executive officer, McDonald’s Corporation; and Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer, Deere & Company.
