More than a dozen prominent leaders from the realms of business, government, sports, and nonprofits generously agreed to serve as jurors for the 2024 Opus Prize.
As jurors, these dedicated leaders selected three finalists from among nearly a dozen social entrepreneurs who are championing faith-filled change and working to solve the world’s most persistent social issues, (The organizations were nominated through an anonymous and confidential process this past fall.)
This November, one laureate will receive $1 million and two finalists $100,000 each for their transformational work.
2024 Opus Prize Jurors (from left to right):
Paul Barber
Chairman, JMI Equity
Charmaine Warmenhoven, Hon. ’07
SCU Trustee Emerita/Philanthropist
John M. Sobrato ’83
Board Chair, The Sobrato Organization
Jeff Bird
Managing Director, Bluebird Ventures
Fred de Sam Lazaro
Executive Director of the Under-Told Stories Project, University of St. Thomas
Correspondent, PBS NewsHour
Julie Sullivan
Chair, 2024 Opus Prize Jury
President, Santa Clara University
Leon Panetta ’60, J.D. ’63, Hon ’88
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Chairman, Panetta Institute for Public Policy
Greg Boyle, S.J., STM ’86, Hon.’04
Founder, Homeboy Industries
Carolyn Woo, Hon. ’16
Former President and CEO, Catholic Relief Services
Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development, Purdue University
Sean Carroll, S.J., M.Div. ’00, Hon. ’14
Provincial, Jesuits West Province USA, Society of Jesus
Kristi Markkula Bowers ’90, MBA ’97
CEO and Co-Founder, Grape.ag
Thomas Blumenthal
President and CEO, Gearys
Ronnie Lott, Hon. ’04
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2000
Founder, All Stars Helping Kids