mccarthy center students standing by pillars
LEO T. MCCARTHY CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE COMMON GOOD

Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service

The Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service is named after the center's founder, who was a former California lieutenant governor and state assembly speaker. Known as a champion of justice, he founded USF’s McCarthy Center to prepare the next generation of ethical leaders.

The award is given bi-annually to an individual whose work makes a difference in the lives of people most affected by injustice. Like the award’s namesake, winners inspire others to lead, devote their energy to equity and justice, and maintain the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives. Public service is defined broadly to include anyone serving the public good including persons in government, philanthropy, education, and the nonprofit world.

Recipients exemplify Leo McCarthy’s values of leadership for the common good. They show compassion for those less privileged and marginalized, and have a track record of service to make people’s lives better. Their lives illustrate high ethical standards.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives, having made history in 2007 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker. Pelosi made history again in January 2019 when she regained the Speakership – the first person to do so in more than six decades. Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for 37 years. Currently serving as the Representative for California’s 11th Congressional District, she is fighting For The People to lower costs, grow paychecks, and create jobs. She is the architect of generation-defining legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan, and a defender of democracy at home and abroad. Married to Paul Pelosi, she is a proud mother of five and grandmother of ten.

nancy pelosi holds microphone

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Support the 2024 Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service honoring House Speaker Emerita and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

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Janet and Clint Reilly

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors of the Leo T. McCarthy Award:

Champion

  • Roselyn Chroman Swig

Transformationalist

  • Cynthia and Robert Birmingham
  • Joseph Cotchett
  • Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy
  • Dixon and Carol Doll
  • Adam and Heather McCarthy
  • Niall and Yvonne McCarthy
  • Anthony and Carolyn McCusker

Idealist

  • Jacqueline McCarthy
  • Sharon McCarthy Allen and Dale L. Allen, Jr.
  • Holly Hogan and Thomas Holmes
  • Clint and Janet Reilly
  • United Airlines

Visionary

  • Timothy Alan Simon, Esq., and Kimberly Brandon
  • Jim and Gerry Sangiacomo
  • Conna McCarthy and Peter Craigie
  • John J. Duggan and Family
  • Golden State Warriors 
  • HVYW8 Trucking Inc.
  • Marina Security Services, Inc.
  • McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP 
  • Larry Nibbi
  • PG&E 
  • Karen and Ronald Rose
  • Margaret and Brent Simor
  • Phil Spiegel - The Conservatory at One Sansome
  • San Francisco Giants
  • USF School of Nursing and Health Professions
  • USF School of Education
  • USF School of Management

Leader

  • Derick and Tracie Brown
  • Rodney Chin
  • Celestino Ellington
  • Mary Del Santo
  • Liz and Bob Dondero
  • Erika and Alex Grab
  • Joan Lubamersky
  • Scott Shafer & Alicia Gamez 
  • Catholic Charities SF
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • USF School of Law
  • USF College of Arts and Sciences
  • USF MA Public Leadership Program

Changemaker

  • The Honorable Art Agnos & Sherry Agnos
  • Nancy Barrett
  • Wayne Bautista & Alfredo Pedroza
  • Booker T. Washington Community Service Center
  • The Honorable Betsy Butler
  • John & Joann Cahill
  • Ninive and Jean-Claude Calegari
  • Coro Northern California
  • Casey Farmer and Galen Wilson
  • Lydia Flocchini and Mandy Fesko
  • Linda Grimes
  • Joanne Hayes-White
  • Ignatian Solidarity Network 
  • Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC)
  • Jewish Community Relations Council
  • Steven Kay, Esq.
  • The Honorable Donald King and Nikki King.
  • Vanita & Austin Louie
  • Nancy and Joseph McMonigle
  • Moca Foundation
  • Dr. Judy C. Miner
  • Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
  • Dian Scott
  • Dave Sebeck and Kip Bridges
  • Janet and Larry Simi
  • Martin and Diane Skrip
  • Halle Sousa
  • Judson True
  • Michelle and Ted Toppin
  • Linda and Keena Turner
  • UCSF
  • YMCA of Greater San Francisco
  • Young Community Developers
Past Honorees