Awarded biennially, the prize is intended to advance the understanding of empathy and its consequences. The prize will be awarded to a Kellogg faculty member who has conducted novel research that advances analytical and rigorous critical thinking about human empathy, understanding and trust. In addition, the prize will also recognize a Kellogg alum who leads with exceptional empathy and has thought deeply about how to include empathy in their management style.
We would like to congratulate the inaugural prize recipients:
Nicole Stephens, Jeanne Brett Chair, Professor of Management & Organizations, Kellogg; Professor of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences (Courtesy). Nicole was selected for her research on how observed differences in educational achievement and work opportunities across various social groups arise and persist, leading to systematic inequalities across those groups. Her overarching hypothesis is that a first-order reason for such persistent differences is the lack of understanding of the respective “cultural divides” characteristic of the salient social groups.
Michael George ’83, ’85 MBA, President & CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. Mike embodies our Kellogg culture of empathic, values-based leadership. Over the past 16 years, Mike has used a low-ego, high-impact leadership style to transform QVC into Qurate Retail, a Fortune 500 video commerce leader with seven brands. Along the way, Mike guided the company through a rigorous reflection on its shared mission and values, creating Qurate Retail’s Purpose and Principles (which include “Act With Empathy”). He also championed the expansion of Qurate Retail’s corporate responsibility program, with specific goals for protecting the environment, championing empowerment and belonging, and curating products responsibly. Mike’s career reflects his deep commitment to acting with integrity, inspiring his team, and striving to create positive change for the communities his business touches.
To learn more about Mike, watch Kellogg’s "Conversations with Distinguished Alumni" interview with him about these values and how Qurate Retail navigated the pandemic.
Watch the Mike George Interview
See all Conversations with Distinguished Alumni
For the alumni winner, Kellogg collected nominations from the alumni community. A small committee from the school then selected a recipient.
The faculty winner was selected by a committee of faculty members.