I greatly respect Stephen Richer for his principled stand in defense of free and fair elections during his tenure as Maricopa County Recorder. He performed his duties—or as he puts it, he did his job—as Recorder of Maricopa County, one of the nation’s largest and most politically significant jurisdictions, from 2021 to 2025.
So yesterday, it was my honor to present Leadership Now’s 2025 Leadership Award to Stephen Richer at Hearst Tower in New York City.
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During his tenure, Richer oversaw voter registration, early voting, and public recordings. Amid extraordinary political pressure, he stood firm in rejecting false claims of election fraud, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the legitimacy of Arizona’s elections.
In my view, Stephen exemplifies the courage and leadership necessary to uphold our democracy. At a time when truth was under siege, he stood firm in defense of facts, transparency, and the rule of law. His commitment to nonpartisan election administration—despite relentless efforts to undermine public trust—embodies the very spirit of the Leadership Now Award.
As I reflected on Stephen’s example, I was reminded of Teddy Roosevelt’s timeless words from “The Man in the Arena”:
“It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood… who errs, who comes short again and again… but who does actually strive to do the deeds…”
Stephen Richer has been in the arena. He has taken the blows and borne the cost of doing the right thing—not for applause or political gain, but because he believed in the integrity of the democratic process.
Defending democracy requires all of us—especially those with the resources and networks to make a difference—to take risks, speak up, and lead. Stephen has shown us what that looks like in practice.
The Annual Leadership Award presentation was part of a day of programming at Leadership Now’s Annual Meeting, which included remarks from North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Senators John Hickenlooper and Ruben Gallego, Harvard Business School Professor Deepak Malhotra, and former DHS Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Neumann. Sessions explored the risks facing our institutions and the role of leaders across sectors in shaping a resilient future.
About the Leadership Now Award
Since 2018, Leadership Now has honored individuals who demonstrate courageous leadership and a commitment to the rule of law—often at significant personal or professional cost. The Annual Leadership Award recognizes those who put country over party and stand firm in moments that test institutional independence and public trust. Leadership Now is proud to celebrate leaders from across the political spectrum who embody these values and contribute to a more resilient democracy. Previous honorees include former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth and former Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt.
About Leadership Now Project
Leadership Now Project is a membership organization of business leaders committed to protecting democracy as a foundation for a thriving economy and political stability. Leadership Now Project takes action—investing in leaders, influencing policy, responding to risks, and partnering to drive solutions. Leadership Now’s membership is national, with members in 25+ states and chapters in 8, drawing on extensive business and alumni networks to drive local and national impact.
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