The Annual Statesmanship Award is a gala dinner hosted by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress and promotes the outstanding achievements of current and former Congressmen, members of the administration, the diplomatic corps, NGO representatives, and business leaders. Keeping in line with the mission of the FMC--to sponsor public service and strengthen democracy via domestic and international programs--this year’s Corporate Statesmanship Award went to the perfect candidate: Founder and CEO of APCO Worldwide Margery Kraus.
On March 19th at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in downtown Washington DC, attendees ranging from Foreign Ambassadors to wounded warriors gathered together to honor one of corporate America’s most influential women.
Ms. Kraus came to Washington, DC in the late 1960s to pursue an undergraduate degree in Political Science at American University. Little did she know that almost 50 years later, her tenacity and leadership would place her at the head of one of the most successful international consulting firms in the world. Kraus founded APCO in 1984 as a small consulting subsidiary within one of Washington, D.C.’s premier law firms, Arnold and Porter. Under her direction it is now a multinational firm in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Also, in 2004, Ms. Kraus headed a management buy-out of APCO, making it one of the largest privately owned public affairs and communication firms in the world.
While she is to be commended for her great success in the business realm, her strong commitment to corporate philanthropy is what qualified her as this year’s Corporate Statesman. Ms. Kraus received recognition for providing the leadership that instills a corporate culture of giving back while encouraging employees to participate in numerous service projects. She also assisted in the creation of the Close Up Foundation, an organization familiar to former and current Congressmen, for how it empowers young people from all walks of life to become responsible and engaged citizens.
During an emotional acceptance speech, Ms. Kraus acknowledged those who were a guiding light on her arduous road to success. One in particular was Herbert Humphrey, whom she said she “had the wonderful experience of knowing well during the early part of my career. He always had time for people, and he had limitless energy. He never let life’s knocks get him down. He once told me that he had no tolerance for the belly-achers...they had intellectual dyspepsia! But what sums up Humphrey to me is his statement that 'political popularity is but a deposit in the bank to be used for noble purposes.'"
After stepping off the stage, Ms. Kraus went directly to greet friends and co-workers in the crowd--meeting them with warm embrace. The massive lines that formed throughout the night of well-wishers looking to congratulate the distinguished guest was a testament of not only Ms. Kraus' influence as a business leader but as an individual who, according to Peter Weichlein, CEO of FMC, ”exemplifies the good that can come from people with different ideas and points of view, working together to find common ground.”
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APCO Founder, CEO Margery Kraus Honored by Former Members of Congress For Corporate Statesmanship
March 30, 2013
The Annual Statesmanship Award is a gala dinner hosted by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress and promotes the outstanding achievements of current and former Congressmen, members of the administration, the diplomatic corps, NGO representatives, and business leaders. Keeping in line with the mission of the FMC--to sponsor public service and strengthen democracy via domestic and international programs--this year’s Corporate Statesmanship Award went to the perfect candidate: Founder and CEO of APCO Worldwide Margery Kraus.
On March 19th at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in downtown Washington DC, attendees ranging from Foreign Ambassadors to wounded warriors gathered together to honor one of corporate America’s most influential women.
Ms. Kraus came to Washington, DC in the late 1960s to pursue an undergraduate degree in Political Science at American University. Little did she know that almost 50 years later, her tenacity and leadership would place her at the head of one of the most successful international consulting firms in the world. Kraus founded APCO in 1984 as a small consulting subsidiary within one of Washington, D.C.’s premier law firms, Arnold and Porter. Under her direction it is now a multinational firm in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Also, in 2004, Ms. Kraus headed a management buy-out of APCO, making it one of the largest privately owned public affairs and communication firms in the world.
While she is to be commended for her great success in the business realm, her strong commitment to corporate philanthropy is what qualified her as this year’s Corporate Statesman. Ms. Kraus received recognition for providing the leadership that instills a corporate culture of giving back while encouraging employees to participate in numerous service projects. She also assisted in the creation of the Close Up Foundation, an organization familiar to former and current Congressmen, for how it empowers young people from all walks of life to become responsible and engaged citizens.
During an emotional acceptance speech, Ms. Kraus acknowledged those who were a guiding light on her arduous road to success. One in particular was Herbert Humphrey, whom she said she “had the wonderful experience of knowing well during the early part of my career. He always had time for people, and he had limitless energy. He never let life’s knocks get him down. He once told me that he had no tolerance for the belly-achers...they had intellectual dyspepsia! But what sums up Humphrey to me is his statement that 'political popularity is but a deposit in the bank to be used for noble purposes.'"
After stepping off the stage, Ms. Kraus went directly to greet friends and co-workers in the crowd--meeting them with warm embrace. The massive lines that formed throughout the night of well-wishers looking to congratulate the distinguished guest was a testament of not only Ms. Kraus' influence as a business leader but as an individual who, according to Peter Weichlein, CEO of FMC, ”exemplifies the good that can come from people with different ideas and points of view, working together to find common ground.”
