THE CHURCHILLS
Churchill Club annually presents the CHURCHILLS — a magical event designed to inspire everyone to aim higher and do more to advance innovation, leadership, collaboration, and social benefit.
Our esteemed speakers are nominated and voted to the top for their contributions to four areas of excellence by the Churchill Club Academy, a group of more than 700 innovation community members made up of industry leaders and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, students, faculty, and journalists.
Honorable speakers for each distinction appear in the spirit of “giving back”—by sharing their perspectives and insights about what is needed to innovate, lead, collaborate, and contribute to the greater good.
The distinctions are:
Legendary
Leader
For inspirational leadership and contributions to others’ innovation and success
Spirit: “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Magical
Team
For collaborative
breakthroughs
resulting in an
irresistible product
Spirit: “Your team nailed it.”
Game
Changer
For indispensable technology and business innovation
Spirit: “You changed how things are done or viewed and there’s no going back.”
Global/Local Benefactor
For irrepressible
vision and positive
impact on society
Spirit: “Thanks for thinking
big.”
Selection Process
Nominations were submitted by the Churchill Club Academy, a group of more than 700 distinguished business and technology executives and professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, academics, and journalists. The Academy first submits nominations, then votes for the most inspiring companies and individuals of the year. An internal, selection committee reviews the votes and confirms the top nominees based on availability.
Past Speakers and Event History
THE CHURCHILLS were first chosen in 2011 as one of two major events to celebrate Churchill Club’s 25th anniversary year. Each honorable speaker engaged in a candid, dynamic conversation with a special guest interviewer to an audience of 500 people. Legendary Silicon Valley author, speaker and advisor Geoffrey Moore was master of ceremonies. The unique recognition format, which focuses on inspiring others, was extremely well received, and a new annual event was born. Here are the past speakers:
Legendary Leader:
- JOHN W. THOMPSON, LIGHTSPEED VENTURES, MICROSOFT (2019)
- JEFF WEINER, LINKEDIN (2018)
- JOHN L. HENNESSY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY (2017)
- JOHN CHAMBERS, CISCO (2016)
- ANDY GROVE, INTEL (2015)
- PAUL JACOBS, Ph.D., QUALCOMM (2014)
- PETER DIAMANDIS, XPRIZE FOUNDATION, SINGULARITY UNIVERSITY (2013)
- VINOD KHOSLA, KHOSLA VENTURES (2012)
- ELON MUSK, TESLA, SPACEX, and SOLAR CITY (2011)
Magical Team:
- ZOOM (2019)
- KHAN ACADEMY (2018)
- GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2017)
- AMAZON ECHO TEAM (2016)
- PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS TEAM (2015)
- TESLA MODEL S DESIGN TEAM (2014)
- NASA MARS ROVER CURIOSITY TEAM (2013)
- BOX (2012)
- MICROSOFT KINECT FOR XBOX 360 (2011)
Game Changer:
- PELOTON (2019 Life Changer)
- SLACK (2019 Work Changer)
- NVIDIA (2018)
- AMAZON (2017)
- NETFLIX (2016)
- LINKEDIN (2015)
- AIRBNB (2014)
- TESLA MOTORS (2013)
- SPACEX (2012)
- FACEBOOK (2011)
Global/Local Benefactor:
- CARL GUARDINO (2019)
- JENNIFER PAHLKA (2018)
- JESSICA DECKER (2017)
- REID HOFFMAN, LINKEDIN, and GREYLOCK PARTNERS (2016)
- MALALA YOUSAFZAI (2014)
- MARC BENIOFF, SALESFORCE.COM (2013)
- HASSO PLATTNER, SAP AG (2012)
- SALMAN KHAN, KHAN ACADEMY (2011)
Discretionary Distinctions
Most Valuable Organization:
For the organization that embodies all four areas of CHURCHILLS’ excellence
You showed us a better way of
leading, collaborating, giving,
and winning.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2016)
Serial Disruptor:
For solving multiple problems in myriad ways on a global scale
You’ve made transformation
the standard, not
the exception.
GOOGLE (2012)
The Churchills 2019
The Churchills 2018
The Churchills 2017
The Churchills 2016
The Churchills 2015
The Churchills 2014
The Churchills 2013
The Churchills 2012
The Churchills 2011