For Lifetime Achievements
Antanas Saulaitis
Lithuanian Jesuit priest, educator, and advocate for the Lithuanian-American community | United States of America, Lithuania
For lifelong contributions to preserving Lithuanian heritage
Father Antanas Saulaitis is a Jesuit priest, educator, and public figure who has dedicated his life to strengthening Lithuanian communities worldwide, fostering their activities, and engaging in missionary work. Born in Kaunas in 1939, he emigrated to the United States in 1949, where he earned master’s degrees in philosophy, theology, and chemistry from Boston University.
Ordained as a priest in 1969, he served in a Lithuanian parish in São Paulo, Brazil, where he actively promoted Lithuanian youth initiatives and founded the folklore ensemble Nemunas. Upon returning to the United States in 1977, he led the Chicago Youth Center and served as the senior leader of Lithuanian Jesuits living abroad.
Since 1987, Fr. Saulaitis has made regular visits to Lithuania, participating in scouting activities and contributing to the local community. Between 1998 and 2003, he served as Provincial of the Jesuits in Lithuania and Latvia, Rector of St. John’s Church in Vilnius, and head of the Vilnius Academic Pastoral Centre. From 2006 to 2014, he directed the Blessed George Matulaitis Lithuanian Catholic Mission in Chicago.
In 2014, he returned to Lithuania, assuming the role of Vice Rector of St. John’s Church in Vilnius. He continues to be deeply involved in public life, maintaining strong connections with Lithuanian communities abroad and participating in meetings, conferences, and discussions. His exemplary life, tireless efforts, and steadfast service remain a source of inspiration for many.
For Innovative Philanthropy in Lithuania
Algis Pacevičius (Al Pace) / † Angelė ir Sigitas Kazlauskai
Lawyer, Founder and Head of Pace Law Firm / Dentists and Philanthropists | Canada
For introducing new philanthropic traditions to Lithuania and historic support
Algis Pacevičius, better known as Al Pace, is a Lithuanian-Canadian lawyer and former chairman of the Lithuanian Canadian Community’s National Board of Directors. For many years, he has contributed his expertise and network to fostering business collaboration, preserving Lithuanian identity, and advancing philanthropy. One of his notable roles is executing the wills of Lithuanian Canadians. This year, the largest-ever bequest—€4.7 million—donated by Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas was directed to Lithuania. Thanks to Algis’s professional stewardship, the value of this donation is expected to grow further, as it was entrusted to the philanthropic Vilnius University Endowment Fund, which will strategically support the development of pediatric dentistry, fund research, and establish a new pediatric dentistry center.
† Angelė and Sigitas Kazlauskas, Lithuanian-Canadian dentists, ran a private dental clinic in Oakville for 65 years, where they also provided free services to fellow countrymen, assisted children, and sent medical supplies to Lithuania. In addition, they founded a charitable organization that supported dental services over many years.
This exceptional story has resonated deeply in Lithuania, inspiring Lithuanians to adopt Canadian and American traditions of philanthropy, from legacy giving to contributions to endowment funds.
For Foreign Voice of Lithuania
Yuko Yamasaki
Lithuanian cultural ambassador, Ukraine aid activist | Japan
For serving as a cultural ambassador of Lithuania in Japan
Yuko Yamasaki, the wife of former Japanese Ambassador to Lithuania Shiro Yamasaki, is a unique figure who has united Lithuanian and Japanese cultures through art, music, and charity.
During her time in Lithuania, she mastered the Lithuanian kanklės and, upon returning to Japan, launched the Linen Furoshiki project, blending Lithuanian linen with Japan’s traditional gift-wrapping art.
Yuko is also deeply engaged in humanitarian work, collaborating with the charity foundation Rugutė to support Ukrainian children with cancer and their families. As Lithuania’s voice in Japan, she promotes Lithuanian children’s literature, including the Japanese translation of the Kakė Makė books, and fosters culinary exchanges by introducing Lithuanian cuisine to local Japanese communities.
For Investments Attracted to Lithuania
Trevor Hanbury
Head of Cencora Lithuania, Senior Vice President Finance | United Kingdom, Lithuania
For long-standing ambassadorial service to Lithuania in attracting foreign investment
Trevor Hanbury, a UK national, has been leading the Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen, World Courier) Center of Excellence in Lithuania since its establishment in 2018.
Over a decade ago, Trevor recognized Lithuania's potential when the company he represented was searching for a location for a new service center. His influential role in this decision and ongoing advocacy have been crucial to the successful launch and growth of Cencora's Lithuanian office.
Today, the company employs over 530 people in Lithuania and continues to expand. The Center of Excellence in Lithuania was Cencora's first globally and remains its largest, playing a key role in shaping the company’s global business services strategy.
For Lithuanian Innovations Leading Globally
Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis
CEO and Chairman of Northway Biotech | Lithuania
For positioning Lithuania as a global leader in biotechnology and gene therapy
Professor Vladas A. Bumelis, the founder and long-time leader of Northway Biotech, has significantly contributed to the growth of Lithuania’s life sciences sector and its recognition on the global stage.
For over 20 years, he has led Northway Biotech, which under his guidance established a biotechnology company in Boston, USA, with an investment of €25 million. The company continues to expand and is pioneering the creation of BioCity, the first biotechnology campus in the Baltic States. This campus includes a state-of-the-art gene therapy center, with planned investments of €7 billion over the next decade. The gene therapy center, inaugurated this autumn, strengthens Lithuania’s position in the global life sciences market. Professor Bumelis stands as an inspiring leader in innovation and business development.
For Promoting Lithuania Globally
Dalia Ibelhauptaitė
Theater and opera director, film producer | United Kingdom, United States of America, Lithuania
For promoting Lithuania, from global opera stages to Hollywood
Dalia Ibelhauptaitė is a groundbreaking director and creator who has revolutionized opera in Lithuania. She has directed dozens of classic plays and operas in countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, and Lithuania.
Dalia is the visionary behind Bohemiečiai (also known as Vilnius City Opera), a phenomenon that has become a global symbol of Lithuanian cultural excellence. Her initiative to unite top-tier talents from the Lithuanian diaspora has propelled these artists to international acclaim on prestigious stages worldwide.
Recently, her creative endeavors have expanded to Hollywood, where she produces films and contributes to major international cinema projects. Dalia’s dynamic energy bridges opera, theater, and film, enhancing Lithuania’s cultural influence on the global stage.
Mūza Rubackytė
Pianist, music educator, cultural advocate | France, Switzerland, Lithuania
For being an ambassador of Lithuanian classical culture worldwide
Mūza Rubackytė is one of Lithuania’s most celebrated pianists, renowned for her performances with leading symphony orchestras and her exceptional solo concerts in prestigious venues around the world. She is especially acclaimed for her interpretations of Liszt’s works, which have garnered numerous international awards.
Beyond her concert career, Mūza teaches at universities and conservatories and co-founded the Vilnius Piano Festival, a prestigious event that attracts world-class pianists. In 2023, a documentary titled Mūza was released, offering an intimate glimpse into her journey as an artist and a free-spirited individual.
Mūza is a passionate ambassador of Lithuanian culture and classical music, showcasing the country’s artistic brilliance to global audiences.
Nicole Zuraitis
Jazz musician and pianist | United States of America
For promoting Lithuania’s name in the global music industry
Nicole Zuraitis, an American jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and arranger with Lithuanian roots, is a Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album with How Love Begins. She has visited Lithuania multiple times, performing with local musicians at jazz festivals and other events.
A regular at New York’s premier jazz clubs, Nicole is the vocalist for the renowned Birdland Big Band. She also mentors young jazz artists, leading workshops and seminars. Her versatility shines across jazz, pop, and classical music stages. Actively engaged in Lithuanian-American community activities, Nicole proudly elevates Lithuania’s name in the international music scene.
For International Scientific Achievements
Prof. Arthur Jonas Ragauskas
Professor of Chemistry, University of Tennessee | United States of America
For outstanding scientific research and its transformative impact on Lithuania and the global community
Prof. A. J. Ragauskas is a distinguished leader in biorefining science and engineering, committed to converting natural resources and waste into sustainable solutions. With over 72,000 citations and nearly 700 scientific publications, he is a highly esteemed figure in the global scientific arena.
Prof. Ragauskas is deeply invested in educating young scientists and fostering international collaborations to drive innovative technological breakthroughs. He is a frequent visitor to Kaunas University of Technology, where he shares insights with the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee, and other key institutions. Through his efforts, he creates unique opportunities for students, researchers, and businesses in the US, Europe, and Lithuania.
For Creating International Business Relations
Apolinaras Sinkevičius
Entrepreneur, investor | United States of America
For cultivating business relations, advancing Lithuania’s startup ecosystem, and attracting investment
Apolinaras Sinkevičius is a seasoned entrepreneur instrumental in establishing seven US startups valued at nearly $500 million.
Leveraging his expertise, he has become a driving force in Lithuania’s startup ecosystem. He devotes considerable time to mentoring and advising Lithuanian entrepreneurs, encouraging business expansion and attracting investment.
By fostering US-Lithuania partnerships, he brings American investors and entrepreneurs to Lithuania and engages with the Lithuanian Business Angel Network. Recognized as an ecosystem hero, he is celebrated for his dedication to mentoring, knowledge sharing, and creating valuable business connections.
For Fostering Young Lithuanian Talents Abroad
Lithuanian language school "4 winds" / Arūnas and Aušra Teišerskiai
Ireland
For advancing Lithuanian language education and strengthening the connection between diaspora children and Lithuania
For 20 years, the 4 Winds Lithuanian School in Dublin has been the largest Lithuanian school in Europe and the third largest globally. Across two independent departments, 250 students are taught by a dedicated team of 50 teachers and assistants, fostering the Lithuanian language, culture, and identity.
The school plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of Lithuanian education abroad by developing language teaching assessment systems, organizing teacher training programs, and offering administrative support to other Lithuanian schools in Ireland.
Through active collaboration with other Lithuanian organizations, the 4 Winds School builds a lasting bridge between generations and strengthens the diaspora’s connection to Lithuania.
For Empowering Ties with Lithuanian Regions
Algirdas Pukis and Vytautas Pukis
Founders and organizers of the Kaunas International Marathon | United States of America, Lithuania
For creating the Kaunas International Marathon and fostering the running community
Brothers Vytautas and Algirdas Pukis founded the Kaunas International Marathon, which for over 13 years has brought participants from 40 countries to Kaunas, raising the city’s profile as an international sports hub.
The idea for the marathon emerged during Vytautas' time in the U.S., where his participation in events like the Las Vegas Half Marathon inspired a vision to organize a similar event in their hometown. In the first five years, the brothers invested approximately €100,000 of their own funds to develop the event.
Today, all profits from the marathon are reinvested in promoting sports, supporting training camps, and expanding the running community. With over 5,000 participants and spectators annually, the Kaunas International Marathon has introduced a global sports culture to the city, blending passion for running with best practices from around the world.