Inter-American Dialogue to Honor the BMW Group for Outstanding Corporate Leadership in the Americas
Washington, DC — The Inter-American Dialogue will honor the BMW Group with a Distinguished Leadership for the Americas Award at its annual gala on November 16 in Washington, DC. The company’s CEO for the Americas, Ludwig Willisch, will accept the award on behalf of Harald Krüger, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. The award recognizes the BMW Group’s significant investment in the future of the Americas and its strong commitment to sustainable innovation, corporate citizenship, integration, and collaboration. As one of the world’s most respected automakers, the BMW Group has been at the forefront of addressing climate change and safeguarding the environment. In recent years, the BMW Group has chosen to make Mexico, Brazil, and the United States key hubs in its global strategy, bringing significant economic opportunity and jobs where they are critically needed. In its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the BMW Group has made it a priority to improve the region’s levels of education and well being.
The Dialogue’s Distinguished Leadership for the Americas Award celebrates individuals and organizations who have dedicated their efforts to advancing hemispheric cooperation and progress. Previous honorees or program participants include the education advocacy Four Percent Movement of the Dominican Republic, former President of the Government of Spain Felipe González, Mexican entrepreneur Daniel Chávez Morán, former US Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson, US Special Envoy Bernie Aronson, US Senator Tim Kaine, Guatemalan philanthropist Salvador Paiz, former World Bank President Robert Zoellick, and US Representative Xavier Becerra.
“The auto sector in Latin America has become a cutting-edge, fast-evolving industry that intersects with so many critical economic and social areas — from jobs and productivity to education, innovation, and technological advance,” said former US Trade Representative Carla A. Hills, co-chair of the Dialogue’s Board of Directors and Gala Committee. “We are delighted to recognize the BMW Group for being in the vanguard as the auto industry prepares for a sea-change in the period ahead.”
Ludwig Willisch is president and CEO of BMW of North America LLC, where he serves as the head of the Americas region for the BMW Group. In addition to his responsibilities for the US, Canadian, and Mexican markets, he also oversees all sales, marketing, and distribution activities for the Latin American and Caribbean importer markets. Willisch is vice chairman of the German American Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Manufacturing Council to the US Secretary of Commerce.
“The BMW Group is honored to accept this award and is delighted to support the Inter-American Dialogue’s mission to advance democratic governance, prosperity, and social inclusion in the Americas,” said Willisch.
The BMW Group has been a steadfast supporter of the Inter-American Dialogue’s mission, providing general institutional funding through the Dialogue’s Corporate Program, as well as underwriting for new activities of its Education and Energy programs.
More than 400 distinguished guests from the policy, diplomatic, and corporate communities will attend the gala dinner. Additional honorees and program participants are to be confirmed. For inquiries, contact gala@thedialogue.org or +1-202-463-2563.
About the Inter-American Dialogue
The Inter-American Dialogue engages its network of global leaders to foster democratic governance, prosperity, and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, we shape policy debate, generate ideas, devise solutions, and enhance collaboration within the Western Hemisphere. For more information, visit www.thedialogue.org.
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