John W. Gardner

John W. Gardner (1912-2002) "was an active and distinguished participant in America's educational, philanthropic, and political life. He served as president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; chairperson of the National Urban Coalition; founding chairman of Common Cause; and founding chairperson of Independent Sector. In 1964, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"He was the architect of the Great Society programs, as Lyndon Johnson's Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and counselor to five other presidents. He wrote on such topics as excellence, leadership, self-renewal and organizational renewal...

"In 1978 and 1979, Mr. Gardner chaired the Organizing Committee that founded Independent Sector".

• Emeritus Trustee, Kennedy Center
• Advisor, American Leadership Forum
• Winner of a 1973 Jefferson Awards