Since its inception in September of 1961, the American Academy of Achievement has assembled a stellar class of new inductees, and the 55^th annual convocation carried forward this tradition of recognizing an extraordinary array of achievers.

On the evening of September 19, 2024, the Summit began with a dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Dame Karen Elizabeth Pierce, the British Ambassador to the United States, and Catherine B. Reynolds, Chairman of the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation.

The dinner was held at the historic residence of the British Ambassador in Washington, D.C., to honor Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist and founder of Led Zeppelin and a member of the American Academy of Achievement’s Class of 2017.

Ambassador Pierce welcomed the guests and recognized Jimmy Page for his international success as a musician and the distinction of being one of the most respected and influential songwriters and producers in the history of rock music.

A special presentation was made to recognize and commemorate the addition of Led Zeppelin’s song “Stairway to Heaven” to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. Designated by the Library of Congress as an “audio treasure” worthy of preservation for all time, in tribute to its “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the Nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

Jimmy Page followed the presentation with a summary of his passion for music, his fascination with a guitar at the age of 12, becoming a self-taught musician, which eventually led to a career as a favored studio session guitarist in London, his work with the Yardbirds in the 1960s, and then the founding of Led Zeppelin in 1968. Led Zeppelin became one of the best-selling rock bands of all time, with record sales of 300 million albums worldwide.

The dinner program included a video presentation showcasing the influence of American blues and gospel music in the 1930s and 1940s, the origins of Rock and Roll music in the 1950s and 1960s, which led to the genius of Jimmy Page and the music of Led Zeppelin in the 1970s. The evening concluded with a performance by singer and songwriter Grace Potter and her rendition of Led Zeppelin’s classic song, “Whole Lotta Love.”

On the evening of September 22, the American Academy of Achievement’s 2024 program continued with the glittering Banquet of the Golden Plate awards ceremony on the stage of David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Catherine B. Reynolds, the Summit Host, opened the Banquet ceremonies and, in her welcoming remarks, stated: “Dining on this stage reminds us of all the amazing performances that have taken place on these boards beneath our feet. I think of the talent that has graced this stage. Every night that these stage lights are lit, this is hallowed ground for expression, for innovation, for determination, for achievement. Tonight is no different. It is truly a fitting place for us to hold this dinner honoring extraordinary achievers in science, business, sports, the arts, and public service.”

The Banquet Awards presentations were moderated by Academy member and broadcast journalist Wolf Blitzer of CNN, a member of the Academy’s Class of 2014.

The first Academy inductee of the evening was Ajay Banga, and his Golden Plate was presented by Awards Council member Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization.  Ajay Banga’s introduction read: “The son of an Indian Army officer whose family came from Punjab, he became a corporate trailblazer for major international businesses, including as the CEO of Mastercard. No doubt, when he closes his eyes, he still sees and feels the colors of India—the vibrant reds, the exotic oranges and yellows. Today, he lives amidst the cool, white marble of Washington, where he applies his executive talents to the benefit of developing nations. The President of the World Bank . . . Ajay Banga.”

Next, Barry Scheck, founder of the Innocence Project, presented the Golden Plate Award to Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Jon Batiste.  His award introduction read: “He grew up outside New Orleans in Kenner, Louisiana, elevation 7 feet below sea level. Coming from a long line of New Orleans’ musicians and steeped in the sounds of that humid city of jazz, music was in his blood. Yet he looked beyond the levees all the way to the Julliard School in New York City, the city where he flourished, a beignet among bagels. Multi-instrumentalist, multi-Grammy winner, multi-talented singer, songwriter, bandleader, composer, activist . . . Jon Batiste.”

The evening’s honors continued with the recognition of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of the National Institutes of Health, who received her Golden Plate Award from Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg, Chief of the Surgery Branch at the National Cancer Institute. Her introduction read: “It was 18 miles from her parent’s ranch house to a paved road. Fifty miles to a landline telephone. Yet something propelled this young woman to venture beyond the dusty isolation of that Wyoming cattle ranch. She became a leading surgical oncologist. And today, her spread consists of 27 institutes where she wrangles 18,000 employees as the head of the largest biomedical research entity in the world. The Director of the National Institutes of Health . . . Dr. Monica Bertagnolli.”

Following this, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, co-inventor of the CRISPR gene-editing technology, was awarded her Golden Plate by Martine Rothblatt, Founder of SiriusXM and United Therapeutics. Her introduction read: “The comedian Mort Sahl said, “My life needs editing.” This honoree can do that. She edits life through biochemistry, microbiology, and genetics. She is the coinventor of the gene-editing technology, CRISPR—the simplest, most precise method of manipulating genes. Her liberating work enables us to write code for DNA, the software of life. The recipient of innumerable international honors, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry . . . Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier.”

The ceremony continued with Dr. Daniel J. Drucker, discoverer of the GLP-1 hormone, who was honored for his transformative work in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. His award was presented by Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel, and Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine. His introduction read: “Determination is essential to science. His parents were Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Canada, where his father went bankrupt, so the son always worked. He still remembers the childhood pain of the heavy newspaper bag that cut into his shoulder. Yet his innate determination helped decipher the GLP-1 hormone, which led to the blockbuster drugs that are transforming the treatment of diabetes and obesity… endocrinologist Dr. Daniel Drucker.”

Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the LA Philharmonic and soon-to-be Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, received his Golden Plate Award from Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, legendary composer. His introduction read: “He leads the orchestra with his hands, his arms, his body, his head, his being. His face is so expressive he can conduct the string section with his eyebrows. Wielding the baton with the joy and exuberance of Zorro flashing his sword, he often burns up more calories conducting than he does running. The most internationally-in-demand and admired conductor of his generation, the Music Director of the LA Philharmonic and, in 2026, the New York Philharmonic…Gustavo Dudamel.”

Business magnate John W. Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox and numerous other sports franchises was honored with his Golden Plate Award presented by Jimmy Page, iconic guitarist, and founder of Led Zeppelin. His introduction read: “He did not graduate from four colleges because he was touring in two rock bands, which somehow led him into trading corn and soybeans. But commodity trading being too serene an endeavor, our honoree began buying and trading sports teams. He currently owns a professional baseball team (the Boston Red Sox), a professional hockey team, a professional soccer team, a professional NASCAR team, a professional golf team, and, if beer pong had professional teams, he would no doubt own one of those. For excitement, he also owns the Boston Globe. Founder of the Fenway Sports Group, John W. Henry.”

Tennis legend and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Billie Jean King was recognized for her unparalleled contributions to sports and gender equality. Her Golden Plate was presented by Awards Council member and renowned broadcast journalist Christiane Amanpour. Her introduction read: “When she was 11, she wanted to be the number one tennis player in the world, and at age 12, she committed her life to equal rights and opportunities for all.  Big goals and big dreams for anyone at any age. She became the No. 1 tennis player in the world and a pioneering advocate for gender equality and equal pay on and off the court. 39 Grand Slam titles, 20 record wins at Wimbledon, the first woman athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and THE GOAT of women’s sports…Billie Jean King.”

The evening also celebrated Kenyan Olympic champions Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon. Their awards were presented by the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto. Their introductions read: “Growing up, they both ran with the freedom, strength, and joy of young girls who felt in control of their own lives. They ran, and they ran, and they ran, and today hold world records in the 1500 meters, the mile, and the 10,000 meters. They ran, and in their running, became role models for other girls in their native Kenya. Today, they run for those little girls, they run for themselves, they run for their country. At the recent Paris Olympics, they won three gold medals AND, yes, one silver medal because they had to race against each other, and somebody had to come in second. …Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet and three-time Olympic gold medalist and World Athlete of the Year Faith Kipyegon.”

Dr. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, and Dr. Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, two visionary scientists whose pioneering research has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and obesity, were honored with the Golden Plate Award, presented by Dr. Robert S. Langer, a distinguished professor at MIT and member of the Awards Council. Their introductions read: “The real question is not how Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus work, but how do drug companies come up with such strange names? Perhaps our honorees can tell us. She started out researching enzymes in laundry detergents. He wanted to be a veterinarian because of the British TV series All Creatures Great and Small. They ended up at Novo Nordisk, and together their research and development made it the most valuable company in Europe and one of the most valuable in the world. The true value in their work, however, is the contributions they have made to the lives of those suffering from diabetes and obesity through the breakthrough treatments they developed…Dr. Lotte Bjerre Knudsen and Dr. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen.”

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Kenneth G. Langone was presented with the Golden Plate by Awards Council members General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) and Lee S. Ainslie III, a fellow investor and philanthropist. His introduction read: “Achievement is not a straight path. Several high school teachers told him he was stupid. His father a plumber, his mother a cafeteria worker–the principal told them not to waste their money sending him to college. So, what did they do? They mortgaged their house. He was failing until one professor noticed a spark, which ignited a brilliant business mind. Investor, co-founder of Home Depot and extraordinary philanthropist who has pledged to give the bulk of his billions…Ken Langone.”

Swimming champion and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Katie Ledecky was presented with her Golden Plate by Awards Council member and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. Her introduction read: “The smell of the chlorine. The feel of the water going over her skin. The sound of the coach’s whistle. The black line passing beneath her, the rhythmic, lonely breathing lap after lap. Years of early morning trainings in the dark. She estimates she swam 37 miles a week training for the Paris Olympics. She says she loves training. This discipline earned her 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold medals. Heralded as the greatest female swimmer in history and one of the greatest Olympians of all time…Katie Ledecky.”

Acclaimed Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami was also honored, with his Golden Plate Award presented by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson and Tony Award-winning theater director Bartlett Sher. His introduction read: “He says of his writing, “There is a white canvas, I have this paintbrush, and I just paint the picture.” And what kind of painter is he? A surrealist, a magical realist. He says he cannot always see the border between the real and the unreal world, that writing is like dreaming. This self-proclaimed “black sheep of the Japanese literary world,” is considered among the world’s greatest living novelists, the Dali or Miró of modern literature, the internationally acclaimed…Haruki Murakami.”

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. James Peebles, received his Golden Plate from Awards Council member Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. His introduction read: “Victorians delighted in living vicariously through stories and poems about fairies flying up to the heavens to dance among the moon and the stars. The heavens have held the same romance and magic for this astrophysicist. His theoretical framework is the basis of our contemporary understanding of the universe. His honors are so numerous I don’t have the Space or Time to Continuum. Nobel Laureate in Physics for his discoveries in physical cosmology…Dr. James Peebles.”

Acclaimed photographer and artist, Cindy Sherman, was presented her Golden Plate by Awards Council member and renowned artist, Jeff Koons. Her introduction read: “The youngest of five children, she would dress up wondering, “If you don’t like me this way, how about this version of me?” Her childhood wondering became her art, as she probed female identity. Housewife, seductress, damsel, her self-portraits do not reveal her but archetypal female roles. Her medium became costume, props, make-up, wigs. By masking herself, she unmasks truths about female stereotypes.  The internationally renowned artist and photographer…Cindy Sherman.”

Mavis Staples, Grammy Award winner for Lifetime Achievement, was presented with her Golden Plate by Awards Council members, General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., USAF, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Her introduction read: “She’s in the Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She is the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and is a Kennedy Center Honoree. Other than that, she hasn’t done much, except for her contributions to the Staple Singers, who are considered “the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement.” Oh, and yes, Bob Dylan even asked her to marry him. The legendary, multi-honored Mavis Staples.”

Basketball Hall of Fame coach, Tara VanDerveer, was presented with her Golden Plate by Awards Council member, Anthony M. Kennedy, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Her introduction read: “The rhythmic thump, thump, thump of the basketball coming down the court, a shot, a bounce off the rim, thump, thump, swish, the sound of victory. How often she has heard those sounds as the most winning coach in college basketball history, women’s or men’s. 1,126 wins in her 45 years as a head coach. The coach of the Gold Medal US Women’s basketball team in the 1996 Olympics and recently retired head coach of 39 years at Stanford University…Tara VanDerveer.”

The final award of the evening was presented to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine by Awards Council member General David H. Petraeus. His introduction read: “His was born of Jewish parents in an authoritarian state. Yet freedom found an outlet in him, first through comedy and then through courage, first as a comedian and then as a commander-in-chief. In the face of one of the world’s largest militaries, he did not flee. He did not hide. He marshaled the will of the Ukrainian people. An inspiring global icon of defiance and bravery, he has shown us what heroism looks like in a people and in a leader…the President of Ukraine, His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”

After receiving his award, President Zelenskyy took to the podium. He emphasized the urgency of the ongoing war, calling for swift action and unity in the fight for freedom, stating, “The next few months will be decisive.” Zelenskyy also pledged to present Ukraine’s Plan of Victory to the United States and global allies, urging “Victory for freedom, with no compromises at freedom’s expense.”

Following Zelenskyy’s powerful remarks, newly inducted Academy member Mavis Staples, accompanied by her band and singers, took the stage for a soul-stirring performance of her classic hit I’ll Take You There. Staples’s powerful voice and magnetic presence had the audience on their feet from the first note, celebrating the enduring joy and unity her music inspires.

The evening concluded with a performance by Academy member and American musical legend Diana Ross. Captivating the audience with a selection of her most beloved hits and a new song from her latest album, Thank You. Performing classics like I’m Coming Out, You Can’t Hurry Love, Upside Down, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ross’s electrifying stage presence added to the spectacle. Thrilled to hear these timeless songs from the legend herself, Academy members danced, bringing the event to a close.

The Academy chairman expressed his appreciation for the generosity of Summit Host Catherine B. Reynolds, as well as the participating Patrons of the Academy: Lee Ainslie, Francine LeFrak, Mack McLarty, and Martine Rothblatt. Their support helped make this unforgettable evening possible, marking another chapter in the Academy’s enduring legacy of celebrating the world’s most remarkable achievers, inspiring all in attendance to strive for greatness in their own pursuits.