Johnson School Announces 2026 Alumni Award Winners

The Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management will honor this year’s distinguished alumni award recipients on May 7 in New York City at the annual Big Red Bash — the school’s premier celebration. Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson School, will present the awards.

Hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs, Big Red Bash brings the Johnson School community together to celebrate shared connections, the impact of business and the remarkable achievements of its alumni.

The school is proud to introduce its 2026 Alumni Award Winners:

• Cyrus Taraporevala, MBA ’90, will receive the L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award, a lifetime achievement award that recognizes his exceptional demonstration of vision and leadership, sound business sense and commitment to community.
• Jeffrey Marx Kabel, MBA ’97, will receive the Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award, a lifetime achievement award that recognizes extraordinary alumni for their sustained and exemplary commitment to the school and its alumni.
• Aaron Seabron, MBA ’12, will receive the Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award for his exemplary commitment to the Johnson School and its alumni, and continued engagement with the school as a volunteer leader in many engagement activities.
• Christian Duncan, MBA ’10, will receive the Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award for his exceptional leadership and strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the Johnson School community and the business world.

L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award: Cyrus Taraporevala

A career defined by global impact, strategic vision and principled leadership reflects the very essence of the L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award. As former president and CEO of State Street Global Advisors, Taraporevala led one of the world’s largest asset managers, driving strong financial performance while advancing a mission centered on long-term shareholder value creation. His leadership strengthened both the firm’s position as a global leader in long-term investing and stewardship, as well as its business results.

Over more than three decades working on three continents in senior roles at Fidelity Investments, BNY Mellon, Legg Mason, Citigroup, and McKinsey & Company, Taraporevala has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead complex, global organizations through change with sound judgment and a forward-looking perspective. Known for his servant leadership style, he fosters inclusive, high-performing teams where diverse perspectives are valued and individuals are empowered to lead — ensuring organizational success and the development of future leaders.

His influence extends well beyond corporate performance, shaping industry standards through advocacy on issues such as shareholder value creation, governance, climate risk and board diversity — driving measurable change across companies and communities. Today, he continues to contribute his expertise through his service on three corporate and two not-for-profit boards, as well as through mentorship and guest lecturing at various business and law schools. With a sustained record of leadership, meaningful industry contributions and a lasting impact on the broader community, he is uniquely deserving of this honor.

Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award: Jeffrey Marx Kabel

A global business leader whose dedication to Cornell extends far beyond his professional achievements, Kabel has demonstrated an extraordinary and sustained commitment to the Johnson School community through decades of impactful volunteer service. As chief transformation officer and board member of Liberty Steel Group, as well as CEO of Liberty Steel USA with directorships in the UK and Australia, Kabel brings deep expertise in commodities, manufacturing and global markets, with a career that has spanned leadership roles at JPMorgan, Koch Industries and Enron. His work leading complex international operations across steel, aluminum, energy and manufacturing sectors reflects a strategic, forward-thinking approach that has defined his professional trajectory.

That same leadership has been a hallmark of his engagement with the Johnson School and broader Cornell network. A founding member and chairman emeritus of the Cornell Club of the UK, Kabel has played a pivotal role in building and sustaining a vibrant alumni community abroad, creating meaningful opportunities for Cornellians to connect and engage. His long-standing involvement with the Cornell Association of Class Advisors Network (CAAAN), service on the Johnson Advisory Council as an emeritus member and lifetime membership on the Cornell University Council underscore the breadth and longevity of his contributions. In addition, his participation in regional alumni communities, including the Cornell Club of Sarasota-Manatee, reflects a consistent commitment to strengthening alumni ties across geographies.

Kabel’s service is distinguished not only by the leadership roles he has held but also by the lasting impact of his efforts to foster community, support alumni engagement and advance the mission of the Johnson School. His decades of volunteerism demonstrate a sustained commitment that has made a lasting difference to the Johnson School and its alumni and make him overwhelmingly deserving of the Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award.

Robert J. Swieringa Young Alumni Service Award: Aaron Seabron

A dynamic leader whose professional success is matched by a deep and ongoing commitment to the Johnson School community, Seabron exemplifies the spirit of the Robert J. Swieringa Young Alumni Service Award. As general manager of U.S. Sports & Creation Center Portland at adidas, Seabron leads across multiple categories, overseeing product marketing, strategy, design and brand communications, while contributing to the global brand and North American markets. His career spans influential roles at adidas and General Mills, where he built a reputation for strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership and driving growth across iconic brands.

That same energy and dedication have defined his engagement with the Johnson School since graduation. A Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow and former chairman of the Johnson Student Council, Seabron has remained actively involved in supporting the school’s mission through mentorship, alumni engagement and community-building efforts and is a founding member of the Johnson Recent Alumni Council. Drawing on his own experiences as a student leader and Consortium liaison, he has consistently invested in creating pathways for others, whether by advising students, fostering alumni connections or sharing his perspective as a business community leader. His service reflects the depth and consistency of involvement that distinguish this award, as well as a genuine commitment to strengthening the Johnson School network for future generations.

Through his professional achievements and his sustained volunteer leadership, Seabron has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the Johnson School community, embodying the values of engagement, leadership and service that the award is intended to recognize.

Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award: Christian Duncan

Duncan exemplifies the spirit of the Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award through a career that integrates strategic leadership with a deeply personal and sustained commitment to advancing inclusion and opportunity. As vice president of strategy at Teradata, he leads a global function shaping enterprise performance, market intelligence and long-term growth, while consistently using his platform to advocate for diverse talent and equitable practices. Across prior roles at Verizon and Accenture, Duncan has paired analytical rigor with inclusive leadership, influencing high-stakes decisions while fostering environments where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive.

Duncan’s commitment to inclusion is deeply personal and consistently demonstrated through action. From recruiting and mentoring diverse talent throughout his career to facilitating critical conversations on racial equity, he has used his voice and leadership to drive meaningful change within organizations. As co-executive sponsor of the Teradata Alliance of Black Employees, he provides guidance and advocacy for one of the company’s most important inclusion communities, while also creating space for dialogue, growth and connection through initiatives like CALIBRATE, an annual couples retreat co-founded by Duncan and his wife.

A dedicated alum, Duncan demonstrated this commitment early — serving as president of the Black Graduate Business Association and as vice president of allyship for Out for Business, while actively advocating for greater representation and inclusion across the Johnson School community. Invited to deliver the keynote at the Johnson School’s 2017 Diversity Symposium, Duncan emphasized the critical role of community, leadership and collective responsibility in advancing inclusion — principles that continue to shape his work.

In carrying forward the legacy of Wilbur Parker ’50, MBA ’50, whose life’s work centered on expanding access and opportunity, Duncan’s leadership reflects the award’s core values: breaking barriers, lifting others and building more inclusive, thriving communities.