Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Each spring the Museum hosts its signature event, the Humanitarian Awards Dinner. Now the largest fundraising dinner in the city of Chicago, this high profile evening pays tribute to pillars in our community, Holocaust Survivors and highlights the Museum’s achievements. Distinguished keynote speakers enrich the evening and address the 2,000+ audience with their personal experiences and global analysis of current events. The Humanitarian Awards Dinner is a poignant evening that demonstrates the impact the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center plays in our local community and beyond.
Official Airline of the Humanitarian Awards Dinner
2020 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Exelon Corporation, accepted by Chris Crane, President & CEO
- Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank, Illinois
Survivor Legacy Award:
- Zev and Shifra Karkomi
Posthumously
Keynote:
- Nikki Haley
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2019)
The views of our speakers are their own and not necessarily indicative of Museum positions.
2019 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Our cherished Holocaust Survivors
- John Ettelson, President & CEO, William Blair
Keynote:
- Former President Bill Clinton
2018 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Mitchell Feiger, President & CEO, MB Financial, Inc.
- Pamela L. Netzky, Founder & Former President, SkinnyPop Popcorn, now Amplify Snack Brands
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
- Robert R. McCormick Foundation, represented by President & CEO David D. Hiller
Keynote Speaker:
- The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair Prime Minister, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1997-2007)
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2017 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ComPsych Corporation
- E. Scott Santi, Chairman and CEO, ITW
Keynote Speaker:
- Former First Lady Laura W. Bush (2001-2009)
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2016 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Harvey L. Miller, Partner, Benida Group
- Terrence A. Duffy, Executive Chairman and President, CME Group
Keynote Speaker:
- Leon Panetta
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2015 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Renee and Lester Crown
Keynote Speaker:
- Walter Isaacson
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2014 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- John A. Canning, Jr., co-founder and Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners
- Thomas S. Ricketts, Chairman, Chicago Cubs and Incapital
Distinguished Community Leadership Award:
- Richard S. Hirschhaut, Founding Executive Director, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Henry Kissinger
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2013 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- William Brodsky, CEO, Chicago Board Options Exchange
- Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman, Johnson Publishing
Survivor’s Legacy Award:
- J.B. Pritzker, Managing Partner, The Pritzker Group
Keynote Speaker:
- Bob Woodward
See our gallery of photos from the event >
2012 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Honorees:
- Neil Bluhm, Walton Street Capital
- Don Thompson, McDonalds
- Rick Waddell, Northern Trust
Community Leadership Award:
- Michael J. Rubinstein
Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Robert Gates
Humanitarian Award Dinner Videos
These videos are a tribute to the tireless work of the Museum’s Speakers Bureau and the power memory serves to change the future.
- 2014 IHMEC Dinner Video
- 2013 IHMEC Dinner Video
- 2012 IHMEC Dinner Video
- 2011 IHMEC Dinner Video
- 2010 IHMEC Dinner Video
