Global Leadership Awards Dinner 2026

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs honors Ambassador Cindy McCain, David J. Vitale, and Chris Myers at the 23rd Annual Global Leadership Awards Dinner.

Title slide for the 23rd Annual Global Leadership Awards Dinner

October 28, 2026, 6:00 - 9:00 PM CST
The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl.

The 23rd annual Global Leadership Awards Dinner honored Ambassador Cindy McCain, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme and former US Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture; David J. Vitale, Chicago business and civic leader; and Chris Myers, principal at EY-Parthenon, intelligence officer with the US Navy Reserves, and Council Emerging Leaders alumnus.

Photos from the Event

Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri gives opening remarks.

A room full of people watching someone speak on a screen

The Council honored Chris Myers, M&A Partner, Strategy and Transactions at EY-Parthenon, and a US Navy Reserve intelligence officer.

Eric Larson, Marilyn Vitale, and John Ettelson.

Ambassador Cindy McCain delivers acceptance remarks.

About the Honorees

Cindy McCain

Former Executive Director, UN World Food Programme

Cindy McCain is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian, and the widow of US Senator John McCain. She served as US Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome from 2021 to 2023, and in 2023 she was appointed Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, leading the world's largest humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting global hunger.

David J. Vitale

Chicago Business and Civic Leader

David Vitale’s distinguished career spans banking, education, public service, and philanthropy. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Board of Trade and president of the Chicago Board of Education, among many other leadership roles. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to strengthening institutions, expanding opportunity, and serving the public good.

Chris Myers

M&A Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY-Parthenon

Chris Myers is a partner in EY-Parthenon's strategy consulting practice where he specializes in complex, international M&A transactions. He also serves as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve and is currently deployed to Germany on active-duty orders for Operation Atlantic Resolve, where he is on the front line supporting intelligence collection and sharing with Ukraine.

Ambassador Cindy McCain: A Profile in Global Leadership Learn more about Ambassador Cindy McCain and her remarkable commitment to combatting world hunger.

Learn more