The Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Awards celebrates the highest achieving individuals who embody the essence of the pillars of the transatlantic relationship. Each year, the event convenes an elite, international audience—including current and former heads of state, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, members of Congress and the administration, military commanders, international business leaders, and leading members of the media.

Distinguished International Leadership Award

H.E. Mario Draghi

President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic

INTRODUCED BY: The Hon. Janet L. Yellen, United States Secretary of the Treasury

Distinguished Artistic Leadership Award

Jamala

Singer-songwriter, the winner of Eurovision song contest 2016
Accepted on behalf of all Ukrainian artists

INTRODUCED BY: Adrienne Arsht, Executive Vice Chair; Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center; Founder, Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center

Distinguished Business Leadership Award

Claudio Descalzi

CEO, Eni

INTRODUCED BY: H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, United Arab Emirates Special Envoy for Climate Change; Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Group CEO and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC)

Distinguished Leadership Award

The People of Ukraine

Accepted by H.E. Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the US

INTRODUCED BY: The Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, US House of Representatives and Gen. James L. Jones, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander; Executive Chairman Emeritus, Atlantic Council

A special tribute to

Secretary Madeleine K. Albright

Recorded remarks by The Hon. Hillary R. Clinton, Former US Secretary of State, and The Hon. Condoleezza Rice, Former US Secretary of State

Recap blog and transcript

New Atlanticist May 11, 2022

The 2022 Distinguished Leadership Awards: Recognizing bravery and vision in wartime

By Dan Peleschuk

The Atlantic Council’s premier gala honored Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, business leader Claudio Descalzi, Ukrainian singer Jamala, and more for their commitment to the transatlantic relationship.

Conflict Italy

Transcript May 11, 2022

Full transcript: 2022 Distinguished Leadership Awards salute the people of Ukraine, Mario Draghi, and more

By Atlantic Council

The Italian prime minister, businessman Claudio Descalzi, and Ukrainian singer Jamala were among the honorees at the Atlantic Council’s premier gala event Wednesday night.

Conflict Human Rights

Rewatch the playlist

Selected media coverage

• Politico’s Global Insider Newsletter
• CNN Newsroom: Ukrainian 2016 Eurovision Winner Raising Money, Awareness for Homeland

Photos

Quotes

Social media

Distinguished Leadership Awards

Each year, the Distinguished Leadership Awards salutes an exemplary group of individuals who have contributed to the Atlantic Council mission of shaping the global future together.

Learn more