Overview
At Boeing, we know that the most enduring improvements come as the result of hard work and the vision of leaders who find new ways to make the world a better place. We think of these leaders as "game changers." Game-changing leaders are capable of breathing new life into our communities, fostering what is best in all of us and uniting diverse groups to work to bring about lasting systemic changes. They see our problems in new ways, take risks, and, as a result, develop new solutions. In 2007 Boeing Chicago Global Corporate Citizenship inaugurated an annual award, the Boeing "Game Changer" Award, to recognize Chicago-area community leaders who serve diverse and disadvantaged communities and are new and/or new in their position and/or are initiating a new diversity program or undertaking. Boeing Chicago/Gary employees are eligible to submit a nomination. Click here to download the nomination form. Please email or fax completed nomination forms to ChicagoGlobalCorpCitizenship@boeing.com or 312-544-2077.
Award Terms and Categories
The award is a $100,000 grant to the organization the community leader represents, to be used to fund a diversity project or organizational development. The nominee must be in a mentoring relationship with an up-and-coming leader of color in his/her organization.
Each year's award recipient (and the organization he/she represents) must be involved in one of five focus areas in which Boeing makes charitable grants:
- Education
- Early Learning
- Primary/Secondary Education
- Arts and Culture*
- Civic
- Environment
- Health and Human Services*
* Note: as the 2007 award was given to a leader of a health and human services organization and the 2008 award was given to a leader of an arts and culture organization, these focus areas are not eligible in 2009.
Submission and Review Process
The vice president of Global Corporate Citizenship accepts nominations from Chicago-area community leaders, philanthropy colleagues and Boeing Chicago/Gary employees.
- Nominations are accepted beginning in August.
- Deadline for submissions is September 30.
- Nomination reviews occur in October.
- Winner is announced in November.
Eligibility
- Must serve in one of Boeing's five focus areas.
- Must be new or new in current position and specifically serves diverse and underserved communities or is a new leader initiating a new diversity program/undertaking.
- Must have a proven track record and demonstrate leadership attributes.
- Nominee and/or organization must demonstrate effective business and financial controls; promote integrity; show commitment to and take advantage of diversity; and create an environment of respect and inclusion.
Our 2007 Winner
The first Game Changer Award was presented in 2007 By Boeing Chief Financial Officer James Bell (right) to Cheryle Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Urban League, at the Urban League's 46th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner on Nov. 3. Her high energy, laser-like focus and dedication have made a huge difference in the Urban League's course and direction since she has taken the helm--and helped take its game to a whole new level.
Our 2008 Winner
The second Game Changer Award was presented to Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director Ashley C. Wheater in a surprise presentation that took place on stage at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago, at the Dec. 18 opening night performance of "The Nutcracker." The award recognizes Wheater's efforts to teach children, especially those from Chicago Public Schools and underrepresented communities, the whole concept of dance -- not just the steps and moves, but also the history, culture, science and math skills that combine to create the dancer's experience. Wheater's key initiative is launching and leading the Academy of Dance, Official School of the Joffrey Ballet, which opened the preceding Monday.
"We think of leaders like Ashley as 'game changers,'" Global Corporate Citizenship vice president Anne Roosevelt said. "They breathe new life into our communities, unite diverse groups to work to bring about lasting systemic changes, and foster what is best in all of us. Ashley Wheater is committed to furthering The Joffrey's hallmark of acknowledging that individual and cultural differences enrich his company."