Join us for the 18th annual Lincoln Leadership Prize Event
Honoring:
Ken Burns, 2026 Lincoln Leadership Prize Recipient and Susan Crown, 2026 Wayne Whalen “Charity for All” Award Recipient
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
About the Honorees:
Ken Burns is widely regarded as one of the most influential storytellers of our time. He has transformed public understanding of American history through films such as The Civil War, The National Parks, The Roosevelts and The Vietnam War. His work is credited with deepening national dialogue and fostering civic awareness, hallmarks of Lincoln’s vision for a more informed and united democracy. Burns’s most recent project, The American Revolution, a groundbreaking documentary on the Revolutionary War, continues this tradition by illuminating the origins of American democracy and the enduring struggles that shaped the nation’s founding ideals.
Susan Crown has been a transformative force in philanthropy and business for more than three decades. As Chairman and Founder of the Susan Crown Exchange (SCE) and Chairman of Owl Creek Partners, she combines her visionary philanthropy with strong business leadership to drive meaningful change. Her efforts span education, youth development, health care, and global poverty alleviation. She has helped shape some of Chicago’s most transformative initiatives, including the revitalization of Rush University Medical Center and the creation of the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.
Purchase Tickets
For questions or assistance, please contact Phyllis Evans at (217) 557-5610 or pevans@lincolnpresidential.org.