NACD Opens Nominations for the 2026 NACD Directorship 100™, The “Who’s Who” of Corporate Governance

The 2026 NACD Directorship 100 nomination period is open through June 30, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC (April 2, 2026) - The National Association of Corporate Directors^® (NACD^®) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 NACD Directorship 100, which recognizes corporate governance leaders who have made significant contributions to board leadership and the organizations they serve.

The awards include the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in corporate governance and meaningful service to their communities throughout their board career. The 2025 recipient was Donald Knauss, former chair and CEO of Clorox and a board leader at Kellanova, Mckesson and Target. He joins a distinguished group of past honorees including Maggie Wilderotter, a Costco board member, and the late Michael A. Daniels, who served as board chair for CACI International.

Nominations opened today and will close June 30, 2026. For nearly two decades, the NACD Directorship 100 has recognized corporate directors and governance professionals whose leadership has strengthened board oversight, advanced governance practices and built trust across organizations and industries.

"At NACD, the Directorship 100 honors the individuals shaping the future of board leadership," said Peter Gleason, NACD president and CEO. "I invite NACD members and those who work with them to nominate peers whose judgment, integrity, and impact set them apart as leaders among leaders in the governance profession."

What Honorees Say About the NACD Directorship 100

"Good governance starts with directors who are willing to ask the tough questions and stay focused on long-term value," said Donald Knauss, the 2025 recipient of the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award. "NACD has played an important role in advancing good governance."

"This recognition from NACD means a great deal because it comes from peers," said Patty Bedient, 2025 NACD Public Company Director of the Year.

"It's an incredible honor to be recognized by NACD," said Jack Lazar, 2025 NACD Private Company Director of the Year.

"Receiving this award has a profound impact on me. It reaffirms my commitment to excellence in corporate governance and inspires me to continue striving for the highest standards in board leadership," said Herman Bulls, 2024 NACD Public Company Director of the Year.

NACD Directorship 100 Nomination Criteria

Nominations are open to public company, private company and non-profit directors and governance professionals who have made significant contributions to advancing the governance profession across six award categories.

Nominees will be evaluated based on their

• commitment to governance excellence- demonstrating integrity, sound judgment and forward-thinking leadership in board oversight
• impact on the boardroom - advancing innovation, accountability and responsible corporate stewardship

Additional information on eligibility, categories and past honorees is available here.

Recognition and Awards Gala

Honorees will be featured in NACD Directorship^® magazine and celebrated at the 2026 NACD Directorship 100 Gala. Corporate directors and governance professionals are encouraged to save the date for the gala:

• Date: December 7, 2026
• Time: 6:00-10:00 p.m.
• Location: Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, New York City

Organizations may also support the program as sponsors of the NACD Directorship 100 Gala. Learn more here.  

About NACD

The National Association of Corporate Directors^® (NACD^®) is the leading member organization for corporate directors who want to expand their knowledge, grow their network and maximize their potential. For more than 48 years, NACD has helped boards and the business community elevate their performance and create long-term value. Our leadership continues to raise standards of excellence and advance board effectiveness at thousands of member companies.  

NACD's value insights, professional development events and resources, such as the NACD Directors  Summit^™ and the NACD Directorship  Certification^® program, support boards in navigating complex challenges. With a growing network of more than 24,000 members across more than 20 Chapters, boards are better equipped to make well-informed decisions on the critical, strategic issues facing their businesses today. Learn more at www.nacdonline.org.  

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