Since its establishment in 2006, Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s annual Lincoln Leadership Prize has honored exceptional individuals for their service in the Lincoln tradition and served as an essential fundraiser for our mission-driven work. 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. President Bill Clinton, U.S. President George W. Bush, film director Steven Spielberg, Civil Rights icons The Little Rock Nine, 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.
Join us for the 18th annual Lincoln Leadership Prize Event
Honoring:
Filmmaker Ken Burns and Philanthropist Susan Crown
Ken Burns, 2026 Lincoln Leadership Prize Recipient
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
PURCHASE TICKETS
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.
For questions or assistance, please contact Phyllis Evans at (217) 557-5610 or pevans@lincolnpresidential.org.