About the awards
The Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, known as the “Oscars of Washington,” honors those who demonstrate excellence in leadership: visionary policymakers, trailblazing corporate leaders, decorated military brass, and humanitarian champions who are reshaping our global landscape. The in-person event traditionally brings together an international audience of around 600 guests—including heads of state, international dignitaries, members of Congress and the administration, industry leaders, philanthropists, and the media.
Coverage
Photos
Clips
“I am so honored to be a part of this organization’s presentation of an award tonight,” says Grammy award-winning and Academy-nominated singer and songwriter @TheJudyCollins.
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 8, 2025
Register to watch the broadcast: ➡️ https://t.co/Ys99PkrzUP #ACAwards pic.twitter.com/Uxn7w7uyGp
“The great honor is to be able to work with the leadership and staff of the Atlantic Council, day in and day out, with the great work that they do,” says former National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley.
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 8, 2025
Register to watch the broadcast: ➡️ https://t.co/Ys99PkrzUP #ACAwards pic.twitter.com/3wTwp8m8q2
“This truth holds in Ukraine today, as it did in Croatia in the 1990s, and wherever freedom is under threat—America has always stood for liberty and I am confident it always will,” says 🇭🇷 Croatian Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic at #DLA2025. pic.twitter.com/f6bcmyObv7
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 9, 2025
Accepting his #DLA2025 award, @PinchukFund Founder Victor Pinchuk pays tribute to “Ukrainians who risked their lives to defend our country and its borders, to defend their families against killers.”
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 9, 2025
Sign up to watch the full broadcast: ➡️ https://t.co/Ys99PkrzUP #ACAwards pic.twitter.com/WMHeibnN4m
Common cause is why we are here this evening—“celebrating remarkable individuals who represent the leadership our complex times demand,” says Atlantic Council President and CEO @FredKempe at #DLA2025.
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 9, 2025
Register to watch the full broadcast: ➡️ https://t.co/Ys99PkrzUP #ACAwards pic.twitter.com/rkiaxPskni
“We seek not only to defend freedom but to extend that promise into the space domain where the future of global security increasingly resides,” says @SpaceForceDoD First Chief of Space Operations John W “Jay” Raymond at #DLA2025. pic.twitter.com/N0G7P68B6i
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) May 9, 2025
Quotes
Watch the broadcast
Sign up now to be notified about the May 22 broadcast which includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with honorees!
Follow us on social media and join the conversation using #ACAwards