No one in our state’s modern history has contributed more to elevate our state’s stature than New Jersey’s 48th Governor, the Honorable Thomas H. Kean.
His journey from a dedicated educator to a transformative political and philanthropic leader is a testament to his unwavering commitment to inclusive problem solving for more than five decades.
Governor Kean’s Legacy
Award Nomination and Selection Process
The Governor Thomas Kean Leadership Award is administered by the Garden State Initiative (GSI). A distinguished bipartisan committee (8 members) reviews all nominations and recommends the recipient to the GSI Board of Directors.
Award Criteria
The award recognizes individuals who have best displayed the principled, inclusive, and collaborative characteristics which Governor Kean displayed throughout his life and work.
- Individuals in private and public roles in business, academia or elected offices are eligible.
- Accomplishments will be considered in environmental matters, education advancement, economic growth, public security and extraordinary acts of unifying divergent interests for a common good.
- The award will be made to living Americans with a nexus to New Jersey.
Nomination Process
Any member of the public may nominate any individual via the Garden State Initiative’s website. Please consider the Award Criteria to determine whether the person you wish to nominate would be an appropriate recipient of the Governor Thomas Kean Leadership Award.
Nominations for the 2026 Governor Thomas H. Kean Leadership Award are now closed. We are currently accepting nominations for the 2027 award. Submit your nomination below.
Nominating Committee
Roger Bodman, Chair
Founder, Public Strategies Impact
Tom Byrne
Founder, Byrne Asset Management
Leonard Coleman
Former President, National League, MLB
Regina Egea
Founder and Board Chair, Garden State Initiative
Gail B. Gordon, Esq.
Commissioner, SEA, Trustee, Hackensack Meridian Health Network
Robert J. Hugin
Chairman and CEO Celgene Corp. (Ret.)
Reed Kean
Operating Partner, KW Commercial MTD Realty Group
Hon. Leonard Lance
Former US Representative CD-7
William Marino
Chairman, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (Ret.)
Peter Simon
Managing Partner, Simon Quick Advisors
Submit a 2027 Nomination
Sponsor Information
Legacy Sponsors
Nicholas F. Brady Family
Robert J. Hugin Family
Laura Overdeck
Gold Sponsors
Ray Chambers and The MCJ Amelior Foundation
Rupal and Dipal Patel
Marika Alzadon & Samuel Cole
Adrienne and Dillard Kirby
The Healey Family Foundation
Brian and Lisa Thebault
Garden State Sponsors
Joseph Della Rosa
Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Wicks Chapin
Paula & William Marino Family Foundation
O’Toole Family Foundation
Gov. Kean Legacy Video Sponsors
The Reddy Foundation
Jeff and Karen Kirby
The Hidden Pond Foundation
Roger Bodman: Public Strategies Impact
Hackensack Meridian Health
The James Brady Family
Regina and Emilio Egea
Nancy Peretsman & Bob Scully
Neil Gagnon Family
Christie55
PSEG
The Fournier Family Foundation
Future Leaders of New Jersey Sponsors
Elizabethtown Gas (Andrew McNally)
IBEW
NJBIA
CIANJ