Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award
The Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award was created in memory of Ann McGee-Cooper to honor transformative leaders who exemplify an extraordinary commitment to living, serving, and bringing the spirit of servant leadership to life.
McGee-Cooper was mentored by Robert K. Greenleaf, who coined the term “servant leadership” in his essay, The Servant as Leader, published in 1970.
Following in his footsteps, Ann spent more than 50 years as a spirit carrier; working tirelessly to nurture the spirit of servant leadership in well-known organizations such as Southwest Airlines, TDIndustries, AT&T, and many others.
servant-leader & mentor to many
Award Recipients
The following award recipients are role models who exemplify an extraordinary commitment to nurturing the spirit, dignity, and potential of all people through acts of servant leadership.
2026 Spirit of Servant Leadership Award recipient
Dr. Richard Kyte
Dr. Richard Kyte is the Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he teaches a variety of courses in ethics and servant leadership.
He cohosts a podcast titled “The Ethical Life,” writes a biweekly column that appears in 73 newspapers across the country, and has written several books.
His most recent book, Finding Your Third Place, explores the critical gathering spaces that nurture our souls and make up the bedrock of our communities.
Honoring individuals who embody the “spirit” of servant leadership
The Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award was co-created by Duane Trammell, Virginia Gilmore, and Isabel Lopez in 2018 and continues to be presented to spirit carriers who have made inspirational contributions to leave the world with the highest possibility through servant leadership.
Past Award Recipients
Deborah Welch (2024)
Dr. Deborah Welch is a leadership coach, author, and an award-winning faculty member at Capella University in Phoenix, AZ. In 2008, she co-created VSLLC® with Ann McGee-Cooper and Ginny Gilmore that left people more positive, energized, productive and hopeful.
Kent Keith (2023)
Dr. Kent Keith is an author and scholar of servant leadership, having earned many prestigious degrees. He has served as CEO of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership (USA), and as CEO of the Greenleaf Centre for Servant Leadership (Asia).
Tom Thibodeau (2022)
Known for being the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership program at Viterbo University, the first of its kind, Tom has shown enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to leadership and service in the La Crosse community and beyond.
Don M. Frick (2018)
With a mission is to “spread the knowledge, tools and stories of servant leadership so people can choose to lead more integrated lives” it’s no surprise Don was the first recipient at the 2018 International Servant Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX.
More Servant Leadership Awards & Impact
Sophia Partners is a community-benefit, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a network of transformative servant-leaders who unleash the potential of people and create collaborative and thriving spaces and places.
