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Stamford, Conn. – Jan. 22, 2026 – Television Creator, Producer, Author and CEO of Global Media Company Shondaland Shonda Rhimes will present the Bob and Leila Macauley Humanitarian Spirit Award to Actor, Director, Producer and Americares Board Member Tony Goldwyn at the 2026 Americares Airlift Benefit.
Americares, the global health and disaster relief organization, announced in October that Goldwyn would be the next recipient of the Bob and Leila Macauley Humanitarian Spirit Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage and a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, leveraging their talents and influence to improve lives and inspire change.
“Tony’s incredible work with Americares is inspiring and deserves to be recognized,” said Rhimes, who first met Goldwyn on set 20 years ago. “No one is more dedicated to the causes that he believes in than Tony. I am absolutely thrilled to help Americares celebrate him.”
When he is presented with the award this spring, Goldwyn will join a distinguished list of honorees including, President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and the vaccine development teams at Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. The award presentation will take place at the Americares Airlift Benefit, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Pier Sixty in New York City.
“In addition to being a cherished friend, Shonda Rhimes has been a role model for me in so many ways — as an artist and storyteller, as a business leader and as a social activist and philanthropist,” Goldwyn said. “Receiving this humanitarian spirit award from Shonda makes it all the more meaningful.”
Rhimes is best known for shaping some of the most influential television of the past two decades, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice” and “Scandal,” the political thriller in which Goldwyn starred as President Fitzgerald Grant III for seven seasons. As the CEO of Shondaland, Rhimes became the first woman to create three dramas that surpassed the 100-episode milestone, and for five seasons her series dominated ABC’s full Thursday night lineup.
In 2017, Rhimes redefined the entertainment business model with her exclusive Netflix partnership, launching global hits including “Bridgerton,” “Queen Charlotte” and “Inventing Anna,” along with a slate of acclaimed documentaries. Beyond television, she has expanded Shondaland into audio, digital media and brand partnerships and authored The New York Times best-selling memoir “Year of Yes.” Rhimes has been named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list three times and has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
“Shonda Rhimes has spent her career telling stories that inspire, engage and connect people across the world,” said Americares President and CEO Christine Squires. “We are so honored to have her present Tony with this award, celebrating not only his decades-long commitment to Americares and other humanitarian endeavors but also the values we share—compassion, service and using our voices to make a positive impact in communities near and far.”
Goldwyn first became involved with Americares more than 20 years ago when he attended a fundraiser at a neighbor’s home and has been a staunch Americares supporter ever since. He went on to join the Americares Board of Directors in 2018 and has volunteered countless hours hosting fundraising events, packing emergency kits for disaster survivors and traveling with the organization to Guatemala and Puerto Rico to see its lifesaving work firsthand.
In addition to his work with Americares, Goldwyn also dedicates much of his personal time to other causes, and his exemplary commitment to humanitarian work has earned him several distinguished honors. He serves as an ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer and as a trustee for the Innocence Project and the Second Stage Theater. He also serves on the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s (MPTF) Board of Governors.
Goldwyn is currently starring in the critically acclaimed feature, “One Battle After Another” as well as the popular television series “Law & Order” as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter and has a recurring role on the Emmy Award-winning HBO comedy, “Hacks.”
The Americares Airlift Benefit, produced by STAMP Event Co., is a one-of-a-kind evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing and inspirational stories about the impact Americares is making across the United States and around the world. The next morning, a group of guests will continue the experience by boarding a flight to see the organization’s work firsthand. This year, guests will board Americares first domestic Airlift to Asheville, N.C, where they will see the impact of Americares response to Hurricane Helene—a devastating storm that caused immense damage to communities across the southeastern United States.
Rhimes will co-chair the 2026 benefit along with Roberta and Jim Conroy, John Goldwyn and Jeff Klein, Mark Gordon and Sally Whitehill, Susan Grossman and Kent Dombal, Erica Hill and David Yount, Kevin Huvane, Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger USCG (Ret.), Ira Schreck and Barbara Ginsberg, Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson and Joy and Eric Weintz, M.D. Host committee members include The Behrman Family, Holly and Adam Casella, Alexa and Ward Horton, Lori McEvoy and Kathi Lex, Marti Noxon, Shweta Rawat and Sarah and Alexander Saint-Amand.
Americares helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters; increase accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability of medicine and medical supplies; improve and expand health services; and prevent disease and promote good health. Since it was established in 1979, Americares has provided over $24 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
For tickets, or more information about the benefit, visit americares.org/airlift2026.
Moffly Media is the exclusive regional magazine sponsor of the 2026 Americares Airlift Benefit.