Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award
The Truman Library Institute proudly announces that the 2025 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award will be presented to Kathleen Sebelius at the 26th Annual Wild About Harry celebration on April 24, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The award was created by the Truman Library Institute in 2010 to honor the decisive leadership of America’s 33rd president and to recognize individuals with a sustained and distinguished record of serving our nation and its democratic principles. Past honorees include Senator Roy Blunt; Admiral Michelle Howard; USAID Director Samantha Power; General James Mattis; the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense and CIA director; and U.S. Congressmen James Clyburn and the late John Lewis—all of whom embody the leadership qualities exemplified by Harry Truman: courage, wisdom, foresight, humility, and accountability.
Kathleen Sebelius is one of America’s foremost experts on national and global health issues, human services, and executive leadership. As CEO of Sebelius Resources LLC, she provides strategic advice to companies, investors, and non-profit organizations.
Sebelius chairs the board of Humacyte and serves on the boards of directors of Devoted Health, Exact Sciences, Included Health, KFF, and Project 50. She co-chairs the Aspen Institute Health Strategy Group and is a Commissioner for NAM’s Investment Imperatives for a Healthy Nation. In 2024, Sebelius is serving as the Kettering Foundation’s inaugural Democracy Fellow. Sebelius serves on advisory boards for the Dole Institute of Politics, Out Leadership, and the Estée Lauder Foundation. She is honorary co-chair and an advisor to the National Cannabis Roundtable.
From April 2009 through June 2014, Sebelius served in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked to pass and implement the Affordable Care Act. At HHS, Sebelius managed 11 operating agencies, 90,000 employees in 50 countries around the world, and a $1 trillion budget. Forbes named Sebelius one of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
Having served as Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, Sebelius is the first daughter of a governor to be elected governor in American history; her late father, John Gilligan, was Governor of Ohio. Time magazine named her one of America’s Top Five Governors. Previous elected offices include two terms as the Kansas insurance commissioner and four terms in the Kansas Legislature.
Sebelius earned a master of public administration degree from the University of Kansas and a bachelor of arts degree from Trinity Washington University. She is married to Gary Sebelius, a retired federal magistrate judge. They have two married sons, Ned and John, and five grandchildren.
Past Award Recipients
2010 James A. Baker, III
2011 Christopher “Kit” Bond
2012 Dr. Robert M. Gates
2013 General Richard B. Myers
2014 Dr. Donna E. Shalala
2015 The Hon. Robert J. Dole
2016 Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
2017 Rep. James Clyburn & Rep. John Lewis
2018 David McCullough
2019 Dr. Madeleine K. Albright
2020 Gen. James. N. Mattis
2021 Samantha J. Power
2022 Ambassador William J. Burns
2023 Adm. Michelle Howard
2024 The Hon. Roy Blunt
The Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership award was established in 2010 by the Harry S. Truman Library Institute – the private, nonprofit partner of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum – to honor America’s 33rd President and to recognize individuals who have a sustained and distinguished record of serving our nation and its democratic ideals.
The recipient will have shown qualities exemplified by Harry Truman, who served his county, his state, our nation, and the world without regard for personal reward. Like President Truman, award recipients demonstrate courage, wisdom, foresight, humility, and a willingness to be accountable for the difficult actions and decisions required of a true leader.
Truman said, “Do your duty and history will do you justice.” Through the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award, the Truman Library Institute seeks to remind our nation’s citizens of the universal wisdom of this message, and to inspire all to seek paths of purpose and service.
PRESENTED ANNUALLY AT WILD ABOUT HARRY