2013 Washington Awards Dinner
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Four Seasons Hotel
2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC
Join us on June 12 for Asia Society’s most prestigious annual event in Washington recognizing the growing relationship between the United States and Asia in the areas of policy, business, and arts and culture. The evening will honor leaders who have made significant contributions to strengthening U.S.-Asia engagement.
We also will introduce Asia Society’s new President and CEO, Josette Sheeran, and welcome distinguished guests, including ambassadors, members of Congress and key staff, senior U.S. government officials, and prominent global business leaders, in celebration of deepening cooperation across the Pacific. Join Asia Society on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, for Washington's most prestigious annual event devoted to the growing relationship between the United States and Asia in policy, arts and culture, and business.
For more information:
Email: AsiaDC@AsiaSociety.org
Tel: 202.833.2742
On Twitter:
#AsiaAwards
2013 HONOREES
Policy Achievement Award
Thomas Donilon, National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama
Thomas Donilon is National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama. From 2009 to 2010, he served as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor. He chaired the State Department’s transition effort in 2008. He has worked closely with and advised three U.S. Presidents since his first position at the White House working with President Carter. He served in the Clinton Administration as Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff of the Department.
Diplomatic Achievement Award
Zhang Yesui, Deputy Foreign Minister, People's Republic of China
Zhang Yesui is Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was previously Ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2013. From 2008 to 2010, he served as China's Ambassador to the United Nations. He has also served as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for administration, protocol, and personnel affairs; and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Policy Planning; Africa, Europe, North America and Oceania Affairs; Arms Control and Disarmament; and International Treaty and Law.
Accepting the Diplomatic Achievement Award on behalf of Zhang Yesui
Cui Tiankai, China's Ambassador to the United States
Cui Tiankai is China's Ambassador to the United States. He was formerly Vice Foreign Minister from 2009 to 2013, responsible for Sino-American relations, among other issues. Previously, Ambassador Cui served as China's Ambassador to Japan, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Asian Affairs and of the Policy Research Office.
Global Business Leadership Award
Marriott International
Marriott International is a leading lodging company with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories worldwide. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, the company is experiencing dramatic growth in Asia with 159 new hotels under development in Asia, building on its portfolio of 139 hotels in 13 countries. In Asia and around the world, Marriott hotels actively support their neighbors and guests through the "Spirit To Serve Our Communities" program.
Accepting the Global Business Leadership Award on behalf of Marriott International
Arne M. Sorenson, President & CEO, Marriott International
Arne M. Sorenson is President and CEO of Marriott International. He was previously Marriott’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Before this, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and President of Continental European Lodging. He is Chairman of Marriott’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Council and the Committee for Excellence. In 2007, he co-founded Marriott’s Global Sustainability Council and in 2008 he launched Marriott’s rainforest preservation partnership with the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation in Brazil. Prior to joining Marriott in 1996, he was a partner with the law firm Latham & Watkins, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions litigation.
Introducing
Josette Sheeran, President and CEO, Asia Society
Josette Sheeran is the seventh president and CEO of Asia Society. Previously, she was Vice Chair of the World Economic Forum. In 2006, she was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, where she was responsible for managing the world’s largest humanitarian organization, leading a team of 13,000 people in more than 70 countries, and managing an annual budget of more than $3 billion—including $1 billion in Asia. She has served as U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.
DINNER LEADERSHIP
Dinner Chair
James E. Rogers, Chairman, President & CEO, Duke Energy
Co-Chairs
Ronnie C. Chan, Asia Society Co-Chair; Chairman, Hang Lung Group Ltd.
Henrietta H. Fore, Asia Society Co-Chair; Chairman & CEO, Holsman International
Dinner Committee
Claudine B. Malone, President & CEO, Financial and Management Consulting, Inc.; Asia Society Trustee
Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President & CEO, McGraw Hill Financial; Asia Society Vice Chair
John D. Negroponte, Vice-Chairman, McLarty Associates; Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State; Asia Society Trustee
Thomas R. Pickering, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Richard H. Solomon, Asia Society Senior Advisor; Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
2012 Highlights
Read the program summary
Video: Awards Dinner highlights
Video: Washington Awards Panel
Video: Michele Flournoy acceptance speech