Today, the Center for Public Leadership announced José Andrés as this year’s recipient of the Gleitsman International Activist Award. The award honors Andrés for his leadership as founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen and the organization’s global effort to feed and affirm the dignity of victims of climate disasters, conflict, and humanitarian crises.
“We are pleased to recognize Chef José Andrés, a leader who has served countless communities facing all manner of crises,” said Secretary Anthony R. Foxx, director of the Center for Public Leadership and Emma Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership. “He embodies the values of principled, effective leadership by channeling his passion for food and respect for human dignity to help the most vulnerable. He is an exceptional leader and an example of service and leadership in our increasingly complex world.”
The annual Gleitsman Award recognizes an individual or team whose leadership in social action has improved quality of life across the globe and inspired others to do the same. The award will be presented to Chef Andrés at Harvard Kennedy School on November 4, 2025. Information about the award ceremony will be released later this year.
By accepting this award, Andrés returns to his Harvard roots. Since 2010, he has helped teach Harvard students how to apply science principles to the art of cooking through the Science and Cooking course and lecture series, developed in collaboration with faculty at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In 2022, Andrés was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Harvard University. During then-Provost Alan Garber’s Commencement speech recognizing Andrés, Garber acknowledged him as a “world-class humanitarian,” who has grown World Central Kitchen into a “global enterprise that aims to empower communities, build resilient food systems, and provide relief to people in dire need.”
About José Andrés
José Andrés is a renowned chef, Emmy Award-winning television personality, New York Times bestselling author, educator, and internationally recognized humanitarian – twice named as one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.” A native of Spain, José is credited with popularizing tapas in America with his first restaurant, Jaleo. He is the owner of José Andrés Group, which operates 40 restaurants in the US and beyond, including the 2 Michelin-starred minibar by José Andrés. In 2010, Andrés founded World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Andrés’s work has earned distinctions including the National Humanities Medal, the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
About the Center for Public Leadership
The Center for Public Leadership’s mission is to inspire and enhance the capacity for principled, effective public leadership in government, politics, civil society, and business. We pursue our mission in a learning community of students, scholars and educators, practitioners, staff, and alumni, to bridge theory and practice in three interwoven streams of work: scholarship, education, and community. Learn more about our work here.
About Alan Gleitsman
Alan Gleitsman was a television executive who founded the Gleitsman Foundation in 1989 following the sale of his extensive feature film and television library. A graduate of Cornell University and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Gleitsman’s longtime commitment to social justice was aligned with his philosophy that even a single person with heart and determination can bring about meaningful solutions to challenging societal problems. In 2007, Gleitsman’s Estate endowed the Gleitsman Program in Leadership for Social Change at Harvard Kennedy School, which supports the Gleitsman Leadership Fellowship, the awarding of the Gleitsman Citizen and International Activist Awards, and the Alan L. Gleitsman Professor of Social Change at Harvard Kennedy School.
Contact Information
Clayton McCleskey
Director, External Engagement
Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School
ctr_public_leadership@hks.harvard.edu
Photo credit to World Central Kitchen/WCK.org.