The UCLA Anderson School of Management honored Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Robert Iger with its 2013 John Wooden Global Leadership Award on Nov. 21 at a gala celebration in Beverly Hills.
The award, named for legendary UCLA basketball coach, author and leadership expert John Wooden (1910–2010), is given each year to an exceptional individual in corporate America whose leadership style and service to the community reflect the same high benchmarks of performance, integrity and ethical virtues set by Wooden.
"Bob Iger leads in the tradition of John Wooden, putting his Pyramid of Success into practice in all matters of Disney business and activity," UCLA Anderson dean Judy Olian said in presenting the award. "He has led Disney through enormous transformation, while enhancing its status as one of the most beloved brands in the world." Focusing on creativity, innovative technology and global growth, Iger has shaped Disney into an industry leader in offering creative content across new platforms, expanded the company's presence in several emerging markets, and led the company to record performance and shareholder value. Under his direction, Disney has been recognized as one of America's most admired companies by Fortune magazine, one of the world's most respected companies by Barron's and one of the best places to launch a career by Bloomberg Businessweek.
Iger and UCLA Anderson's Judy Olian
Iger, in accepting the honor, stressed that his success was the result of teamwork so valued by Wooden. "One person can't run a company as big as ours," he said. It's run by a team of people, and value is created by a very large team of people ... Coach Wooden was never a box score. He was not baskets shots or rebounds — it was the team. He was just the coach."
The evening also featured featured a discussion between ABC News correspondent Cecilia Vega and Iger and the awarding of John Wooden Global Leadership Student Fellowships to those students who embody Wooden's values of ethics, team spirit, skill, hard work, service and loyalty. This year, Olian recognized Elliot Ling and Jordanna Mora, each of whom received $25,000 to support them as they work toward the completion of their degrees.
For more on the award and the gala event — including the full press release, blog and more videos — visit UCLA Anderson's John Wooden Global Leadership Award webpage.