Since its establishment in 2006, the Foundation’s annual Lincoln Leadership Prize has honored exceptional individuals for their service in the Lincoln tradition. Past honorees include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., journalist Tim Russert, Polish President Lech Wałęsa, U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, film director Steven Spielberg, the Little Rock Nine civil rights movement icons, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, philanthropist David Rubenstein, actor Gary Sinise, corporate leader Mellody Hobson, business leader Jim Reynolds, historian Jon Meacham, and actor Sam Waterston.
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Lincoln Presidential Foundation Announces Acclaimed Filmmaker Ken Burns Will Receive the 2026 Lincoln Leadership Prize
Noted Philanthropist Susan Crown To Receive 2026 Wayne Whalen “Charity for All” Award
Filmmaker Ken Burns and Philanthropist Susan Crown
The Lincoln Presidential Foundation will present acclaimed documentary filmmaker
Ken Burns with its 2026 Lincoln Leadership Prize at a ceremony on April 16, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. At the same event, Susan Crown, Chairman and Founder of the Susan Crown Exchange (SCE) and
Chairman of Owl Creek Partners, will be honored with the 2026 Wayne Whalen “Charity for All” Award.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Phyllis Evans at (217) 557-5610 or pevans@lincolnpresidential.org.