Stoli Group CEO to Receive Harvey Milk Leadership Award
Damian McKinney, CEO, Stoli Group, will be awarded the Harvey Milk Foundation Global Business Leadership Award. Only the second award of its kind, the honor will be bestowed at the 7th Annual Diversity Honors Gala which honors individuals from around the world who have made significant contributions to world peace and equality.
In announcing the honor, Stuart Milk, co-founder and board president of the Harvey Milk Foundation cited Stoli's response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine whereby they boldly and unapologetically stood firm in opposition to Putin's aggression set the organization apart. At the same time, Stoli Group under McKinney's leadership has doubled down on their commitment to stand with all marginalized people globally."
Stoli first spoke out against Putin in 2013 in response to Russia's so-called "ban on homosexuality."
This year's event on April 1st at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, will be well attended by leading LGTBTQ+ advocates from around the globe along with the "Liberate Your Spirit" Stoli team.
In support of Ukraine, in 2022 Stoli released the Stoli® Limited Edition Ukraine bottle, which continues to raise money for World Central Kitchen (WCK) and helped serve more than 36,000 meals refugees. In addition to working with WCK, Stoli relocated many Ukrainian employees, partners and distributors as they faced extraordinary difficulties. For others who chose to remain, Stoli provided financial, emotional, and tactical support. By working with Ukrainian suppliers and investing in a regional distributor Stoli enabled regional business to stay afloat and contribute to the country's economic stability and recovery.