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.
Nominating Committee
Roger Bodman,
Founder, Public Strategies Impact
Tom Byrne
Founder, Byrne Asset Management
Regina Egea
Founder and Chair, GSI
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 Nomination
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