Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners (Sophia) announced Dr. Richard Kyte as the recipient of the 2026 Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award at the Conference on Servant Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on June 25, 2026.
Hundreds of leaders from across the country met at Viterbo University from June 25-26 for the annual Conference on Servant Leadership, a unique opportunity for leaders at all levels to connect, learn, and build networks with others who are committed to leading with a servant’s heart.
Christa Williams, Sophia’s Executive Director & CEO, and Ginny Gilmore, Sophia’s foundress, honored Kyte with the 2026 Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award.
Sophia first presented the award in 2018. Recipients are selected for demonstrating:
- Faithful to the writings and principles of Robert K. Greenleaf.
- Committed to self-awareness, humility, and lifelong growth.
- Inspired by a joyful passion for serving others.
- Dedicated to helping others grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential.
Kyte exemplifies these qualities through decades of teaching, writing, and speaking on ethics and servant leadership as Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University. He cohosts a podcast titled “The Ethical Life” with Scott Rada, writes a biweekly column that appears in 73 newspapers across the country, and has written several books. His most recent book, Finding Your Third Place, explores the critical gathering spaces that nurture people’s lives and make up the bedrock of all communities.
Accepting the award, Kyte reflected on the essence of leadership: “The key to effective leadership is simple: engaging others in meaningful commitment to a shared purpose.”
Learn more about Kyte on his personal website: www.richardkyte.net
Since 2012, Sophia has recognized and elevated stories of individuals, groups, and organizations making a significant impact in their workplaces and communities through transformative leadership. To learn more, visit their website: www.sophiapartners.org.
Christa Williams, Sophia Executive Director; Richard Kyte, 2026 Ann McGee-Cooper Spirit of Servant Leadership Award Recipient; and Ginny Gilmore, Sophia foundress.
About Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners
Founded in 2002, Sophia Partners is a 501(c)(3) community-benefit, nonprofit organization located in Fond du Lac, WI, with a vision to create more caring communities. Sophia Partners offers virtual and in-person transformative leadership consulting, facilitation, and coaching services across the United States.