Ethical Leadership Recognized

The winner of the second annual William G. McGowan Ethical Leader of the Year Award will be announced at the June 13 general session at SHRM23.  

The award is presented in partnership with SHRM and the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. The winner receives a $25,000 cash prize to donate to a nonprofit of their choice. Charles Lowrey, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, was the 2022 winner and chose to give the funds to the New Alliance in support of Prudential's various community, education and workforce development initiatives. 

McGowan was an entrepreneur who headed telecommunications giant MCI for 24 years until his death in 1992. He launched the campaign that ended AT&T's monopoly in 1984. 

The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund was established after his death to provide financial support to organizations that reflect the visions, concerns and life experiences of its benefactor.  
The fund's board launched The McGowan Fellows Program in 2010 to include its Principles of Ethical Leadership in master's degree programs in business administration and other leadership programs at 10 of the nation's leading business schools. 

SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, will again be among the five judges who will select the award winner from a slate of nominees of CEOs working in the U.S.