Recognizing Excellence

What is excellence?  Among the many terms used in corporate communications, few are as prevalent—and for good reason—as excellence. Derived from the Latin verb excellere, meaning “to rise,” this word implies motion from one state to a higher one. In order to achieve excellence, there must be effort, progress, and change. Excellence, then, is continuously developed and achieved, not simply born. 

This vital quality is precisely what NACD has been recognizing within the director community for nearly half a century. As we embark on another year honoring the achievements of outstanding directors, it’s fitting to reflect on what we have accomplished and why. 

From our founding days, NACD has spotlighted director achievements. We first profiled notable directors and boards in our founding periodical, Director’s Monthly, launched in 1977. A decade later, we introduced a Director of the Year (DoY) award, with former Commerce Secretary Juanita Kreps receiving the inaugural honor in 1987. Soon after, we expanded the DoY award to recognize directors from public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Many of our more than 20 chapters have granted similar awards locally for years. 

In 2006, following the untimely death of our former board chair, we established the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor recognizes those individuals who demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing corporate governance practices, evidenced by a reputation for “excellent leadership.” 

In 2010, following our acquisition of Directorship magazine, we launched the NACD Directorship 100 awards to honor both directors and governance professionals. This award recognizes the most influential directors and leaders in the corporate governance community who have demonstrated excellence in the boardroom through innovation, courage, and integrity. 

In 2018, we widened our recognition to spotlight full boards, specifically those who excel in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). The NACD DE&I Awards™ recognize forward-thinking corporate boards that leverage DE&I to enhance governance, create long-term value for stakeholders, and build innovative and inclusive boardrooms and workplaces.  

So much for how we celebrate excellence—now let us reflect on why.  

We honor the excellent because, as Alberto Ríos, poet laureate of Arizona, says, we want to “make a house called tomorrow.” He encourages us to: 

Look back only for as long as you must, 
Then go forward into the history you will make. 

Be good, then better.  Write books.  Cure disease. 
Make us proud.  Make yourself proud. 

And those who came before you?  When you hear thunder, 
Hear it as their applause. ■

This article is from the Winter 2025 issue of Directorship.