John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Award Welcome to SEE's John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Award page. With this award, SEE honors a leader who has authentically demonstrated ethical business or leadership practices. John Winthrop Wright founded SEE in 1995 and left a major donation from his estate to perpetuate SEE’s mission. Mr. Wright desired to promote internationally respected values such as-- fairness, respect, responsibility, caring, justice, honesty, courtesy, citizenship, and the principles of the Golden Rule. The Ethics in Action award is given in his name to recognize a business or community leader that demonstrates a commitment to ethics and character. 2023 Ethics in Action Recipient
Jim Clark, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of America
importance of building organizational capacity, improving program quality and consistency, expanding the Boys & Girls Club national network and positioning BGCA as the nation’s leading advocate for youth.
Under Mr. Clark’s leadership, BGCA originated a national youth outcomes study that supports continuous quality improvement and demonstrates the impact of the Club experience in the areas of education, leadership and health outcomes, as documented in the organization’s annual National Youth Outcomes Report. BGCA continues to introduce programming that supports the three outcome areas, including STEM initiatives, summer learning loss programs and workforce readiness programs. With a commitment to support local Club success, Mr. Clark is leading efforts to strengthen digital capabilities within Boys & Girls Clubs. This includes MyFuture.net, a web platform where youth can learn digital skills; YD Toolbox, a mobile communications app for Club staff; and MyClubHub, a comprehensive site management system. Additionally, BGCA supports local Club success with training and consultations to augment key areas including child safety, executive and board development, high school graduation rate and childhood obesity. For these and similar efforts, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranks BGCA the top youth-serving organization. Notable milestones during Mr. Clark’s tenure include Boys & Girls Clubs serving nearly 470,000 youth daily in 2019 – up more than 20% since he joined BGCA in 2012 – and a record $2.1 billion in revenues in 2018, an increase of 46% since 2012. Mr. Clark began his career at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 1979, where he served senior leadership roles in distribution, marketing and customer service operations and advanced to senior vice president. In 2004, he departed the media company after 24 years to become president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, which he served as a board member for 10 years. Under his direction, the organization benefitted from seven consecutive years of revenue growth, added 17 new service locations, realized a 30% increase in membership and more than doubled staff during his seven-year tenure. Mr. Clark holds a business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He and his wife, Samantha, live in Atlanta with their two sons. |
Award Nomination Form
Contact Character.org to nominate a champion of character. Champions of Character Past Ethics in Action Award Recipients 2021 Jennifer Morgan DelMonico, Parner with Murtha Cullina 2019 Larry L. Bingaman, President and CEO of the South-Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority 2018 John R. Ciulla, President and CEO of Webster Bank 2017 Merle Berke-Schlessel, Past President and CEO of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County 2016 Marna Borgstrom, CEO of Yale-New Haven Health System 2015: Oz Griebel, Past President and CEO of the Metro Hartford Alliance 2014: Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of Bigelow Tea 2013: Mickey Herbert, Past President & CEO of Bridgeport Regional Business Council, former CEO of ConnectiCare 2012: Archbishop William E. Lori, former Bishop of Bridgeport 2011: Curtis R. Welling, former CEO of AmeriCares 2010: Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr., former Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools 2009: Dr. Susan Davis, President & CEO of St. Vincents Health Services 2007: James C. Smith, Retired Chairman & CEO of Webster Financial Services |