Globy Awards 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Global Leadership in Philadelphia
On December 9th, 2024 The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) celebrated a decade of recognizing outstanding individuals making a difference in Philadelphia with the 10th annual Globy Awards. Over 350 guests and past awardees gathered in the elegant ballroom at The Westin, in the heart of Philadelphia. This year’s Globy Luncheon celebrated six trailblazing Philadelphians for their outstanding commitment to advancing Philadelphia’s global transformation. The day was filled with inspiring speeches, camaraderie, and hope for Philadelphia’s future.
This year, awardees were honored in community leadership, educational leadership, corporate leadership, heritage and preservation leadership, sustainable leadership, and lifetime achievement. These categories encompass what it means to be an outstanding leader for Philadelphia and its global community. To celebrate their accomplishments, GPA has published a series of global conversation articles highlighting the inspiring journeys and achievements of each awardee.
Awardees and presenters brought unique stories about their professional journey, detailing how they got to where they are today. Our 2024 Emcee, Aziza Shuler of CBS3, did an outstanding job moderating the award ceremony and introducing each awardee. First, Lowell Thomas of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation presented the Community Leadership Award to Della Clark, President of The Enterprise Center. Clark’s speech resonated deeply with the audience, touching on the challenges of entrepreneurs of color, specifically in Philadelphia. Thank you, Della Clark, for your contributions to the community of Philadelphia.
Gregg Caren was awarded for his corporate leadership as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Caren’s leadership at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau exemplified dedication to Philadelphia's global reputation. Regina Black-Lennox, a longtime personal and professional friend of Caren, presented the award. Caren's work has opened countless opportunities for Philadelphia, positioning the city on the global stage.
Dean Erika H. James of The Wharton School was celebrated for her educational leadership at the Globy Awards. Dean James has worked tirelessly to share Philadelphia's insights with the world, transforming perceptions of higher education, and dismantling barriers to belonging. The award was presented by Filippos Letsas, an MBA candidate at The Wharton School. Dean James also jokingly gave GPA an “A” for their organization of the Globy Awards.
Next was the Heritage and Preservation Award, given to Samip Mallick, the executive director of the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA). Mallick’s exceptional work continues to preserve the history of South Asian Americans in Philadelphia and the world, showcasing the profound legacy of diversity and opportunity that defines our city. Dr. Amber Abbas proudly presented the award to Mallick, highlighting his dedication and commitment to SAADA.
Leslie S. Richards was honored as the Sustainable Leadership awardee for her work as the CEO of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Richards exemplifies a deep commitment to understanding transportation sustainability and has advanced our understanding of urban transportation. Richards now is starting a new career journey as a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Practice at the Weitzman School of Design. The award was presented by Atif Saeed, who highlighted Richards’ leadership and contributions to sustainable urban transportation
Last, but certainly not least, John F. Smith III, was honored as the Lifetime Achievement Awardee. Smith continues to spend a lifetime of dedication to global perspectives and has truly transformed Philadelphia's international landscape. From founding the Global Philadelphia Association to serving on the board of International House Philadelphia, John Smith truly exemplifies a lifetime of achievement. Following a moving introduction by Giacomo Cesareo, Smith delivered a touching speech about his devotion and commitment to Philadelphia and the founding of the Global Philadelphia Association.
The Global Philadelphia Association also collected donations for Philabundance this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who donated canned food items to support the Philabundance organization. We also would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors, vendors, and media partners of The Globys. Your support was vital to the success of this event.
The 2024 Globys was our most unforgettable event yet. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every attendee for supporting The Globys and the mission of the Global Philadelphia Association. Your unwavering support drives our success and will always be remembered. From our humble origins at the Global Ideas Summit to achieving recognition as a World Heritage City, we have shown that local efforts can inspire global change. Here's to another decade of progress, collaboration, and transformation on the world stage!
