World Citizen Award Dinner

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte annually recognizes a member of our community who has made a significant impact on our region and enhanced its global standing. Each year, a capacity audience gathers to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the award recipients.

Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, recipient of the 2024 World Citizen Award, offered powerful insights on global health, philanthropy, and the vital need to embrace diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. The World Citizen Award Dinner allows for attendees to network and build new partnership with key decision makers in our community. John “Johnny” W. Harris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer recipient of the 2023 World Citizen talked about Charlotte's growth as a world-class city. K–12 teachers from the greater Charlotte area who are selected as Council Scholars are recognized at the World Citizen Award Dinner for their dedication to global education and fostering international perspectives. Brian Moynihan, recipient of the 2022 World Citizen Award ​offering his perspective on capitalism with a purpose, both in the United States and abroad. WACC Council Scholar Ambrosia Wilsom shares her experience abroad and how she's been able to promote the importance of international education in her classroom. Charlotte Ballet talent celebrated together with the 2014 World Citizen Award recipient Michael Tarwater, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare. 2013 World Citizen Award recipients Margaret and Smoky Bissell were honored for promoting international education and international business in the great Charlotte region. Sandra and Leon Levine, recipients of the 2012 World Citizen Award, celebrating with WACC leadership and supporters.

Past recipients of the World Citizen Award are:

1990 Rev. Billy Graham
1991 William Lee
1992 Hugh McColl, Jr.
1993 Dr. LeRoy Walker
1994 Dean Rusk
1995 Elizabeth Dole
1996 William Friday
1997 John Belk
1998 Herman Blumenthal
1999 Habitat for Humanity, Charlotte
2000 Charlie Rose
2001 Loonis McGlohon
2002 General H. Hugh Shelton (Ret.)
2003 Irwin Belk
2004 Jerry Richardson
2005 Crandall and Erskine Bowles
2006 Graham Allison, Ph.D.		 2007 Francis Robicsek, M.D., Ph.D.
2009 Carolinas Freedom Foundation
2010 Jim Rogers
2011 Marshall Larsen
2012 Sandra and Leon Levine
2013 Margaret and Smoky Bissell
2014 Michael Tarwater
2015 Tim Belk
2016 Phil Dubois
2017 Tony Zeiss
2018 Pat Rodgers
2019 Derek Raghavan, M.D., Ph.D.
2022 Brian Moynihan
2023 Johnny Harris
2024 Eugene A. Woods
2025 Sharon Gaber

We will honor Sharon L. Gaber, Ph.D., Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the 2025 World Citizen. 

September 24, 2025: World Citizen Award Gala Dinner Honoring Sharon L. Gaber, Ph.D., Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Since 1990, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte has presented the World Citizen Award to prominent citizens and organizations that have enhanced our community's standing in the world through their accomplishments of international significance and contributions to the city, this region, and our international community.