Keystone Leadership Awards

The Keystone Leadership Awards celebrate individuals and organizations who demonstrate the power of collaboration to address complex challenges and advance the public good. Each year, we honor leaders whose work reflects Keystone’s commitment to building trust, bridging differences, and creating lasting solutions. We look forward to gathering on June 3, 2026 to recognize the next group of changemakers. We hope you will join us for Keystone’s 33rd Annual Leadership Awards as we celebrate leaders who embody the spirit of Keystone’s mission to reach common higher ground.

Date: June 3, 2026
Reception: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and Program: 7:00 p.m.
Location: National Portrait Gallery, Kogod Courtyard, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001

2026 Leadership Award Recipients

At Keystone Policy Center, we believe bold leadership and strategic collaboration drive real solutions. Every year, we honor leaders who exemplify these values, by engaging with a diversity of stakeholders to create lasting change through inclusive decision-making. We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Keystone Leadership Award!

Ani Dasgupta

President and CEO, World Resources Institute

About Ani

Rudy Garza

President and CEO, CPS Energy

About Rudy

David Naylor

President and CEO, Rayburn Electric Cooperative

About David

Gil Quiniones

President and CEO, ComEd

About Gil

Lorenzo Simonelli

Chairman and CEO, Baker Hughes

About Lorenzo

Master of Ceremonies

For years, the Keystone Leadership Awards were shaped by the steady leadership of Shelby Coffey. Last year, we had the privilege of honoring Shelby with a Leadership Award of his own in recognition of his distinguished career and deep commitment to Keystone. His presence set a high bar grounded in curiosity, integrity, and a belief in informed dialogue – and we are sincerely grateful for the thoughtfulness and dedication he brought to this role over so many years.

Jennifer Griffin, chief national security correspondent, FOX News Channel

As we look ahead, we are excited to carry that spirit forward as we welcome a new voice to guide this year’s Leadership Awards. We are thrilled to share that Jennifer Griffin will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2026 Keystone Leadership Awards.

Jennifer is a nationally respected journalist, author, and longtime national security correspondent whose reporting has spanned decades and some of the most consequential global events of our time. Known for her rigorous fact-based reporting, depth of expertise, and credibility across audiences, she exemplifies the values at the heart of the Leadership Awards: integrity, seriousness of purpose, and a commitment to informing the public in complex moments. As a previous recipient of the Keystone Leadership Award, she understands firsthand the spirit of leadership and service we seek to elevate each year.

About the Keystone Leadership Awards

Keystone Policy Center established the Keystone Leadership Awards in 1994 to recognize extraordinary leadership by individuals and organizations whose work embraces our model, spirit, and mission of creating lasting solutions through strategic collaboration. Keystone honors individuals and organizations within its areas of work as well as recognizes leaders in government and the media who create impact in the public interest.

Nominees are evaluated based on the following qualities:

Leadership – Recognized as an effective leader who inspires others and cultivates an atmosphere of respect, inclusiveness, and achievement.

Collaboration – Actively seeks diverse perspectives, fosters partnerships, and works effectively with others to drive action-based solutions.

Innovation – Demonstrates creativity in problem-solving, embraces learning, explores new approaches, and is open to non-traditional viewpoints.

Commitment – Shows dedication, perseverance, and optimism in the face of challenges.

See the impressive list of Keystone’s past awardees and view photos from previous Keystone Leadership Awards events by clicking on the galleries below.

If you or your organization share a commitment to collaborative action, please support this work through sponsorship and participation in the Keystone Leadership Awards. Funds raised through this event are critical to helping bring together leaders to reach a common higher ground. Learn more about how Keystone utilizes these important resources!

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors for your support of Keystone’s Annual Leadership Awards!

Sponsors of the Keystone Leadership Awards provide critical programming support that brings together leaders to reach a common higher ground. Bolster collaborative decision-making in our nation’s policy discourse by supporting Keystone Policy Center and our outstanding honorees of the Keystone Leadership Awards.

We are grateful for our sponsors, all of whom take an active role in empowering leaders to rise above entrenched positions to reach common higher ground. Every dollar raised through this important event bolster’s Keystone’s impact in finding new and creative pathways to achieve collaborative, inclusive, and bipartisan decision-making.

If you or your organization shares a commitment of collaborative action, please help support this work and these outstanding individuals through your participation and tax-deductible sponsorship or contribution. Click here to learn more!

For more information about the Keystone Leadership Awards, including inquiring about sponsorship and contributions, contact Judy O’Brien, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships | jobrien@keystone.org | 202-452-1592.