Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service
The Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service is named after the center's founder, who was a former California lieutenant governor and state assembly speaker. Known as a champion of justice, he founded USF’s McCarthy Center to prepare the next generation of ethical leaders.
The award is given bi-annually to an individual whose work makes a difference in the lives of people most affected by injustice. Like the award’s namesake, winners inspire others to lead, devote their energy to equity and justice, and maintain the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives. Public service is defined broadly to include anyone serving the public good including persons in government, philanthropy, education, and the nonprofit world.
Recipients exemplify Leo McCarthy’s values of leadership for the common good. They show compassion for those less privileged and marginalized, and have a track record of service to make people’s lives better. Their lives illustrate high ethical standards.
Save the Date
Mark your calendar and make plans to celebrate the Leo T. McCarthy Award. We’ll recognize the legacy of Leo T. McCarthy, California’s former lieutenant governor, state assembly member, and San Francisco supervisor.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives, having made history in 2007 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker. Pelosi made history again in January 2019 when she regained the Speakership – the first person to do so in more than six decades. Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for 37 years. Currently serving as the Representative for California’s 11th Congressional District, she is fighting For The People to lower costs, grow paychecks, and create jobs. She is the architect of generation-defining legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan, and a defender of democracy at home and abroad. Married to Paul Pelosi, she is a proud mother of five and grandmother of ten.
Become a Sponsor
Support the 2024 Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service honoring House Speaker Emerita and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors of the Leo T. McCarthy Award:
Champion
- Roselyn Swig
Transformationalist
- Joseph Cotchett
- Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy
- Adam and Heather McCarthy
- Niall and Yvonne McCarthy
Idealist
- Jacqueline McCarthy
- Sharon McCarthy Allen and Dale L. Allen, Jr.
- Holly Hogan and Thomas Holmes
- Clint and Janet Reilly
- United Airlines
Visionary
- Timothy Alan Simon, Esq., and
- Kimberly Brandon
- Conna McCarthy and Peter Craigie
- John J. Duggan and Family
- Golden State Warriors
- McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP
- Larry Nibbi
- PG&E
- Karen and Ronald Rose
- Margaret and Brent Simor
- Phil Spiegel
- Sam Tadesse
- YMCA of San Francisco
- San Francisco Giants
- USF School of Nursing and Health Professions
- USF School of Education
Leader
- Derick and Tracie Brown
- Rodney Chin
- Mary Del Santo
- Robert and Elizabeth Dondero
- Alicia Gamez
- Erika and Alex Grab
- Joan Lubamersky
- Scott Shafer
- Joanne Hayes-White
- Catholic Charities SF
- San Francisco 49ers
- USF School of Law
- USF College of Arts and Sciences
Changemaker
- The Honorable Betsy Butler
- Ninive Calegari
- Coro Northern California
- Linda Grimes
- Jewish Community Relations Council
- Steven Kay, Esq.
- The Honorable Donald King and Nikki King
- Moca Foundation
- Dr. Judy C. Miner
- Janet and Larry Simi
- Martin Skrip
- Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
- Melinda Yee Franklin
- Young Community Developers