The Board of Directors of The International Center has selected
Michael I. Crowther
, CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, as recipient of the 2019 International Citizen of the Year Award (ICY), which honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the globalization of Indiana. The ICY award will be presented at a dinner and ceremony on
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.
Mike Crowther, who will be the 33rd recipient of the ICY award, is considered the founder of the biennial Indianapolis Prize, recognized as the world’s leading award for animal conservation. The Indianapolis Prize has positioned Indianapolis as an international hub of wildlife conservation leadership and brings global attention to the city with more than two billion media impressions during each two-year cycle. Additionally, during Mike’s tenure as CEO at the Indianapolis Zoo, the local attraction received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award.
Martin Baier, president and CEO of The International Center, said, “Michael Crowther and The Indianapolis Prize embody the very values that The International Center holds dear and which Indianapolis exhibits to the rest of the world . . . passion, integrity and excellence. The Indianapolis Prize began with one humble man who had an idea that could – and would – have worldwide impact. We look forward to working with our ICY Co-Chairs and the community to create a memorable event celebrating the man — Michael Crowther — and his accomplishments that have touched and had such an impact on the world.”
