On a spring evening surrounded by New York Harbor, history once again stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Inside the storied Great Hall of Ellis Island Honors Society, where millions of immigrants first entered America in pursuit of opportunity, 76 extraordinary leaders gathered on May 16 to receive one of the nation’s most respected distinctions: the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The annual black-tie gala transformed a landmark of arrival into a celebration of achievement, service, and the enduring power of the American dream.
The evening’s honorees represented an impressive cross-section of modern leadership. Among those recognized were Ola Källenius, legendary chef Wolfgang Puck, Sarah Friar, former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Reema Bandar Al-Saud, filmmaker Ebs Burnough, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi, entrepreneur and educator Billy Hudson, country music icon Lee Greenwood, international music legend Googoosh, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The featured image from the evening captures the spirit of the gala perfectly. Standing together are Wolfgang Puck, Ellis Island Honors Society Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy, fashion designer and philanthropist Gelila Assefa Puck, and Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius. Their gathering represents what the Medal has celebrated since its founding in 1986: individuals whose accomplishments transcend industry while remaining deeply connected to service and community.
“As we honor the enduring legacy of immigrants and the generations who helped shape this nation, we must also dedicate ourselves to building a stronger future for those who follow,” Kazeminy said during the ceremony. He described Ellis Island as a symbol of hope, resilience, and possibility, qualities reflected in this year’s class of honorees.
For nearly four decades, the Ellis Island Honors Society has recognized Americans whose achievements embody the nation’s rich cultural mosaic. The Medal is officially recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and recipients are entered into the Congressional Record each year.
The legacy of the Medal is remarkable. Previous recipients include eight U.S. presidents, civil rights icon Rosa Parks, entertainer Frank Sinatra, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Nobel laureates Elie Wiesel and Malala Yousafzai, along with countless leaders in public service, business, media, science, and the arts.
At a time when conversations about identity, immigration, and opportunity continue to shape the national dialogue, the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor offered something refreshingly clear: a reminder that America’s greatest strength has always been its people. The descendants of immigrants, new Americans, and lifelong citizens alike continue to write the next chapter of the nation’s story.
And on Ellis Island, where so many journeys began, those stories were honored in grand fashion.
For the complete list of 2026 recipients, visit Ellis Island Honors Society 2026 Recipients