The annual Gala Dinner is a night to celebrate the achievements of Council members and guests, including the presentation of the Council’s prestigious National Competitiveness Award. This award recognizes individuals from the public and private sectors who have made lasting contributions to America's prosperity by advancing U.S. leadership in talent, technology, and innovation. Previous winners include Cabinet Secretaries, U.S. Senators, and innovators from across the competitiveness ecosystem.
Following dinner, Ms. Wince-Smith introduced Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America and Chair of the Council on Competitiveness, as the recipient of the 2024 National Competitiveness Award. In her introduction, she recognized Mr. Moynihan’s leadership in competitiveness, and his significant contributions to the nation's growth and prosperity.
“America’s unique position enables the country to lead in innovation, and the Council’s work brings together pragmatism, research, entrepreneurship, and creativity to solve global challenges.”
Mr. Brian T. Moynihan
Chair and CEO, Bank of America and
Chair, Council on Competitiveness
Under Mr. Moynihan’s leadership, Bank of America has garnered numerous accolades, including being named one of America’s “Most Just Companies” and the “World’s Best Bank” in 2023. Beyond his role at Bank of America, Mr. Moynihan is deeply involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening U.S. resiliency, innovation, and sustainability. He also serves on various boards, including the Sustainable Markets Initiative with His Majesty King Charles III, and he became Brown University’s Chancellor in July 2024.
In his acceptance, Mr. Moynihan reflected on the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Council on Competitiveness. In particular, he focused on the value of America’s university system, the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories, and the collaboration between labor, business, and research platforms to drive innovation. He also praised Council initiatives, such as the series of “Competitiveness Conversations across America,” as having profound impacts on the future of the U.S. innovation enterprise.
He also noted the Council’s domestic priorities, and how the strengths of the U.S. innovation model have caught global attention. Bank of America helped to open a door for the Council — and its sister organization, the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils — to share with the world innovation and competitiveness best practices at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. This “Innovation Arena” brought together leaders from industry, the research enterprise, and universities to elevate the private sector’s voice in the sustainability policy discussion.
“Under Mr. Moynihan’s leadership, the Council not only weathered a period of uncertainty and global disruption, but it emerged as strong as ever.”
The Hon. Deborah L. Wince-Smith
President and CEO, Council on Competitiveness
As he closed his remarks, Mr. Moynihan commented on the value of the Council to ensure the United States continued to lead in innovation, productivity gains, prosperity, and competitiveness. He encouraged the Council’s continued efforts to nurture cross-sector collaboration, as well as to increase funding and support for innovation and infrastructure to drive the long-term success of the nation.
