Global Leadership Awards Dinner 2023

Honoring European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UL Solutions President and CEO Jennifer Scanlon.
A graphic featuring headshots of Ursula von der Leyen and Jennifer Scanlon in front of a photo of the Earth from space.

Global Leadership Awards Dinner 2023

October 30, 2023, 6:00-9:00 pm | The Ritz-Carlton Chicago

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs honored European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UL Solutions President and CEO Jennifer Scanlon at the 2023 Global Leadership Awards Dinner. They were celebrated for their extraordinary leadership and commitment to creating a more open and promising world for all.

Since becoming President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has managed multiple crises — Brexit, Covid, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s economic coercion — with pragmatic excellence, steadfastly reinforcing freedom and democracy as the founding principles of the European project. As UL Solutions President and CEO, Council board vice chair Jennifer Scanlon leads the company in pursuit of its mission of working for a safer world and is a fierce advocate for STEM education and increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math.   

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Watch Video from the Event

Ursula von der Leyen stands in front of blue screen with European Union flag to the left. Play Video

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was unable to attend in person, delivers her acceptance remarks via video.

Stavros Lambrinidis speaks at a podium with a microphone Play Video

Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States, accepts the award on behalf of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Jennifer Scanlon speaking at GLAD. Play Video

UL Solutions President and CEO Jennifer Scanlon is honored for her extraordinary leadership and commitment to creating a more open and promising world for all.

About the Honorees
Ursula von der Leyen
President, European Commission
A headshot of Ursula von der Leyen.
Ursula von der Leyen is the 13th and first woman president of the European Commission and has fought staunchly for Europe’s key ambitions since 2019. As the head of the European executive, she has defined six headline ambitions for Europe for her mandate: a European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, an economy that works for people, a stronger Europe in the world, promoting our European way of life, and a new push for European democracy. Before 2019, Ursula von der Leyen was Minister at federal level in Germany for more than 14 years and responsible for family, then labour and social affairs, and later defense. 
A headshot of Ursula von der Leyen.
Jennifer Scanlon
President and CEO, UL Solutions Inc.
Headshot of Jennifer Scanlon.
With a deep foundation in and commitment to science, technology, and engineering, Jennifer Scanlon leads UL Solutions in its ambition to become customers’ most trusted safety, security. and sustainability partner.  Prior to UL Solutions, she was most recently president and CEO of USG Corporation and led the company through a major international expansion, digital transformation, and sustainable evolution, enhancing its ability to meet customer needs. Jennifer Scanlon is a fierce advocate for STEM education and the benefits of diversity and inclusion. She sits on the board of Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and is chairperson of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, secretary treasurer of the board of the US-China Business Council and appointed to the US-India CEO Forum. 
Headshot of Jennifer Scanlon.
2023 Dinner Chairs 
  • Heather Russell, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, TransUnion 
  • Brett Hart, President, United Airlines  
  • Craig Martin, Chairman, Midwest, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP