Champion Award
ATD Award Programs
Talent Development Champion Award
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This award is presented to an individual from outside of or on the periphery of the talent development profession. Nominees should demonstrate commitment, advocacy, and actions in support of talent development within or outside an organization. Those actions will have influenced audiences, organizations, or society.
This award is presented to an individual from outside of or on the periphery of the talent development profession. Nominees should demonstrate commitment, advocacy, and actions in support of talent development within or outside an organization. Those actions will have influenced audiences, organizations, or society.
Advancing the Talent Development Field
Past Champion Award Recipients
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The Champion Award has been presented to:
The Champion Award has been presented to:
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Marshall Goldsmith, author
Marshall Goldsmith, author
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Erica Dhawan, author, speaker, executive leader, entrepreneur
Erica Dhawan, author, speaker, executive leader, entrepreneur
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Joe Folkman, author, psychologist, science journalist
Joe Folkman, author, psychologist, science journalist
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Brené Brown, author, researcher
Brené Brown, author, researcher
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Amy Edmondson, researcher
Amy Edmondson, researcher
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Daniel H. Pink, author and thought leader
Daniel H. Pink, author and thought leader
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Dr. Jeff J. Clawson, "Father of Emergency Medical Dispatch"
Dr. Jeff J. Clawson, "Father of Emergency Medical Dispatch"
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Carol Dweck, professor of psychology and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Carol Dweck, professor of psychology and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
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Liz Wiseman, author Multipliers
Liz Wiseman, author Multipliers
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Chris Anderson, TED
Chris Anderson, TED
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Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro Limited
Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro Limited
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Salman Khan, founder, Khan Academy
Salman Khan, founder, Khan Academy
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Doug Conant, founder and CEO of Conant Leadership
Doug Conant, founder and CEO of Conant Leadership
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Ram Charan, business consultant
Ram Charan, business consultant
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Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, founder and CEO of Safety Reliability Methods
Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, founder and CEO of Safety Reliability Methods
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John Seely Brown, independent co-chair of Deloitte's Center for the Edge
John Seely Brown, independent co-chair of Deloitte's Center for the Edge
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Robert Kaplan and David Norton, creators of the Balanced Scorecard
Robert Kaplan and David Norton, creators of the Balanced Scorecard
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Jim Collins, researcher and author
Jim Collins, researcher and author
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Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the board of governors, Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute
Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the board of governors, Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute
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Danny Wegman, CEO of Wegmans Food Markets
Danny Wegman, CEO of Wegmans Food Markets
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Steven Piersanti, president of Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Steven Piersanti, president of Berrett-Koehler Publishers
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Frederick W. Smith, CEO of Federal Express
Frederick W. Smith, CEO of Federal Express
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John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems
John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems
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William Taylor and Alan Webber, founding editors of Fast Company
William Taylor and Alan Webber, founding editors of Fast Company
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Robert W. Galvin, chairman of the executive committee of Motorola
Robert W. Galvin, chairman of the executive committee of Motorola
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Thomas A. Stewart, board of editors of Fortune magazine
Thomas A. Stewart, board of editors of Fortune magazine
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John F. Welch, chairman and CEO of the General Electric Company
John F. Welch, chairman and CEO of the General Electric Company
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Advancing the Talent Development Field
Award Criteria and Eligibility
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Eligibility: Eligible candidates are individuals from outside the talent development field. Past winners have included authors, CEOs/business leaders, researchers, and thought leaders. Elected officials are not eligible
Eligibility: Eligible candidates are individuals from outside the talent development field. Past winners have included authors, CEOs/business leaders, researchers, and thought leaders. Elected officials are not eligible
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Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated on the scope and depth of documented advocacy, commitment, and actions that have promoted talent development.
Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated on the scope and depth of documented advocacy, commitment, and actions that have promoted talent development.
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Evidence of wide-reaching or global support of talent development, upskilling the workforce for the future, and/or learning at work through actions, ideas, writing, or speaking.
Evidence of wide-reaching or global support of talent development, upskilling the workforce for the future, and/or learning at work through actions, ideas, writing, or speaking.
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Proof of influencing audiences and/or organizations.
Proof of influencing audiences and/or organizations.
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Proof of a sustained commitment to talent development, reskilling the workforce, or workplace learning as a key driver of organizational impact.
Proof of a sustained commitment to talent development, reskilling the workforce, or workplace learning as a key driver of organizational impact.
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Evidence they promote the value of learning and the development of talent as a strategic differentiator for organizations or society.
Evidence they promote the value of learning and the development of talent as a strategic differentiator for organizations or society.
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Evidence their own work demonstrates this commitment.
Evidence their own work demonstrates this commitment.
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Congratulations to the 2025 Champion Award Winner!
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Adam Grant
Adam Grant
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Author, speaker, organizational psychologist
Author, speaker, organizational psychologist
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Professor, The Wharton School
Professor, The Wharton School