2026
Scott Kirby
CEO, United Airlines
International Executive of the Year
Celebrating the leaders whose vision is redefining global business.
International Executive of the Year
The Executives’ Club of Chicago is proud to recognize Scott Kirby as the 2026 International Executive of the Year.
As CEO of United Airlines, Kirby has helped redefine the future of aviation through bold investments in customer experience, technology, sustainability, and workforce development. Under his leadership, United has strengthened its position as a global airline while advancing innovation and connecting communities around the world.
The International Executive of the Year Award recognizes leaders whose influence extends beyond business performance to create lasting impact across industries and society.
Each year, the Executives’ Club of Chicago honors one individual with the International Executive of the Year Award.
Selection criteria includes exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the individual’s company and to the global business community; innovation; position within the industry; and personal and corporate modeling of values-based leadership.
The awards presentation serves as a highlight of the program year.
Scott Kirby
CEO, United Airlines
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Satya Nadella
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Mark Benioff
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Kenneth C. Frazier
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Merck & Co., Inc.
Juan R. Luciano
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Marillyn Hewson
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Lockheed Martin
Jim Umpleby
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Caterpillar
Muhtar Kent
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The Coca Cola Company
Irene Rosenfeld
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Mondelez International
Stefano Pessina
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Walgreens Boots Alliance
Paul Polman
CEO
Unilever
Michael Duke
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Walmart
Daniel Servitje
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Grupo Bimbo
Daniel Akerson
Chairman and CEO
General Motors
Glenn Tilton
Chairman
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Jamie Dimon
Chairman and CEO
JPMorgan Chase
Craig Donohue
CEO
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William A. Osborn
Chairman and CEO
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Samuel J. Palmisano
Chairman, President and CEO
IBM Corporation
Miles D. White
Chairman and CEO
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Jeffrey R. Immelt
Chairman and CEO
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Kenneth I. Chenault
Chairman and CEO
American Express Company
Steven Reinemund
Chairman and CEO
PepsiCo
Lawrence J. Ellison
Chairman and CEO
Oracle Corporation
Lee Raymond
Chairman and CEO
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Douglas N. Daft
Chairman and CEO
The Coca-Cola Company
Donald V. Fites
Former Chairman and CEO
Caterpillar Inc.
Lewis Platt, Chairman
President and CEO
Hewlett-Packard
Jack F. Smith Jr.
Chairman and CEO
General Motors
Michael Eisner
Chairman and CEO
The Walt Disney Company
William H. Gates III
Chairman and CEO
Microsoft Corporation