NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a non-profit U.S. business organization dedicated to forging relationships and promoting dialogue between business and government leaders across the globe, announced that Henry R. Kravis, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of KKR, will be the recipient of the 2020 Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award. The theme of this year’s program is, “A New Era for Unity in Action.”
The virtual awards program will be hosted by Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global, and the award will be presented by U.S. Ambassador to Italy The Honorable Lewis Eisenberg. This will be the 18th annual BCIU Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards Gala, and will be broadcast via the web on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 from 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST. This is open press and members of the public can register for the event at the link: https://bciu.zohobackstage.com/Gala2020.
"Amid our current climate, it’s never been more important for the private sector to unite around a common purpose, enhance unity and expand international understanding around the world,” said Peter Tichansky, President and CEO, BCIU. “Henry Kravis understands this mission as well as anyone, as he’s helped advance global societal progress for more than five decades. He embodies the vision we strive for at BCIU, particularly at this incredible juncture in human history.”
“Now more than ever amidst such immense disruption and economic dislocation, business leaders must play a significant role in helping to strengthen our communities,” said Kravis. “I am greatly honored to be recognized by BCIU, but it is I who applaud them for their longstanding efforts to bring business and community together so we can all work together to address the global and local challenges in our communities.”
Since 2003, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards program has recognized business executives who exemplify the definition of leadership by exhibiting outstanding contributions to global prosperity and society as a whole. Prior honorees include Alex Gorsky, Johnson & Johnson; Ajay Banga, Mastercard; Ronnie Chan, Hang Lung Properties; J.W. Marriott Jr., Marriott International; Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chemical; Carlos Slim; Tony Elumelu, Heirs Holdings; Pele; Mukesh D. Ambani, Reliance Industries; Lakshmi Mittal, ArcelorMittal; Go Choon Phong, Singapore Airlines; Masami Iijima, Mitsui & Co.; Marillyn A. Hewson, Lockheed Martin; Ratan N. Tata; and Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Mr. Kravis founded investment firm KKR in 1976, pioneering an industry that has since invested billions of dollars of capital to support businesses, economies and, importantly, communities. From its deep roots in private equity, KKR today has grown into a leading global investment firm managing $234 billion of assets. As KKR has grown, Mr. Kravis and his colleagues have remained committed to building value for their companies and their investors over the long term.
As part of that undertaking, KKR became an early mover in thoughtfully incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations throughout its investment decisions and is a signatory to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment. The firm has also been dedicated to helping solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, with billions of dollars invested in companies directly addressing urgent societal issues.
KKR’s positive impact extends to its philanthropic efforts, built on the firm’s belief that successful companies are only as strong as the communities in which they operate. Mr. Kravis and KKR encourage employees to make a difference in their communities, particularly through the firm’s 40 for 40 program, providing employees 40 hours of paid time annually to volunteer with community projects and nonprofit organizations that are meaningful to them. Most recently, with commitments from Mr. Kravis and the firm’s leadership, KKR built a $50 million relief fund to support people and communities dislocated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund will support nonprofit organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis as well as small businesses globally that are struggling.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award was inaugurated in 2009 to recognize exceptional accomplishments in the field of social responsibility and sustainable development as well as commitments to enhance the growth and development of humankind. Henry R. Kravis exemplifies the essence of this award, through his professional and philanthropic achievements, as well as the extraordinary initiative he takes within the financial industry to drive innovation as a global citizen.
To support BCIU’s important work during the event, viewers are encouraged to send a text-to-pledge message to 929-552-0506 with their name or company name, the amount of their pledge, and any short message they might want to share with our audience. The event will be highlighted on social media using hashtag #BCIUGala.
About BCIU
The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) is a nonprofit organization of experts, educators, and advisors working to expand international trade and commerce for businesses and governments around the world. BCIU is deeply connected and trusted by 200 member companies, including many global multinationals, and maintains an unparalleled network of government relationships in every corner of the world. For sixty-five years, they have believed in progress and shaping the future by addressing some of the most complex global challenges, from global health to cybersecurity to agricultural sustainability. Through bespoke, transformative services, BCIU provides ways for its partners to deepen economic cooperation and enhance global growth across markets.