The 2023 Columbia Business School Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics and Ethical Practice was awarded to founder and CEO of KIND Snacks Daniel Lubetzky, who was honored at a ceremony in David Geffen Hall last April. As part of the event, Lubetzky discussed values-based leadership with CBS Professor Rebecca Ponce de Leon.
Lubetzky founded the KIND company in 2004 as a not-only-for-profit corporation, a business model he has followed since 1994, when he launched the Peaceworks Foundation to bring together neighbors from Middle Eastern countries in business ventures. Today, Peaceworks, a 501(c)(3), and its signature initiative, the OneVoice movement, continues Lubetzky’s work to amplify the voices of moderate Israelis and Palestinians.
In 2020, KIND was acquired by candymaker Mars and has since remained committed to civic engagement. Within the organization, Lubetzky spearheaded the KIND Movement, which aims to promote “everyday acts of KINDness.” The initiative involves collaborating with under- resourced communities to bolster local nonprofit organizations, establish school programs to cultivate diversity and mutual understanding, and sponsor events that promote entrepreneurship.
Recently, Lubetzky unveiled a new venture, Camino Partners, a startup incubator and investment platform dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who are creating “enduring value with values as their compass.”
Established by the late Benjamin Botwinick ’26 and his wife, Bessie, the Botwinick Prize goes to businesses or business individuals who exemplify the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct. The award ceremony was co-sponsored by the Student Leadership and Ethics Board as part of Leadership and Ethics Week.
Watch the full ceremony and discussion: