Ambassador David J. Lane of Sunnylands Honored as Barbara Sinatra Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Rancho Mirage, CA — Ambassador David J. Lane, President of The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, has been named Barbara Sinatra Distinguished Citizen of the Year, recognizing his exceptional leadership, public service, and enduring contributions to civic engagement, global cooperation, and the cultural life of the Coachella Valley.
For nearly a decade, Ambassador Lane has guided Sunnylands as a place where leaders and experts from around the world convene to address issues of national and international importance. Under his leadership, Sunnylands has brought together voices from science, art, government, business, philanthropy, and education to foster dialogue and develop solutions to complex global challenges.
Convenings at Sunnylands during Lane’s tenure have focused on advancing progress in Global Cooperation, Civic and Democratic Engagement, and Food Security and Global Health. These discussions have explored topics ranging from geopolitical security in the Indo-Pacific, to revitalizing entrepreneurship in America, to the use of artificial intelligence to improve weather forecasting for small-scale farmers worldwide.
At the same time, Sunnylands has continued to serve as a cultural and educational resource for the public. Each year, more than 130,000 visitors explore the Sunnylands Center & Gardens, learning about the legacy of founders Walter and Leonore Annenberg, the historic estate, and its nine acres of serene desert gardens.
Ambassador Lane has served as President of Sunnylands since September 2016, following a distinguished career spanning both nonprofit and governmental leadership. From 2012 to 2016, he served as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, addressing issues related to global food security and international development.
Previously, Lane served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the ONE Campaign, a global advocacy organization founded by Bono, where he focused on combating extreme poverty through global health, economic development, and effective governance. From 2001 to 2007, he founded and led the East Coast office of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shaping the foundation’s advocacy strategy in global health, poverty alleviation, and education reform.
His public service also includes senior roles in both the Obama and Clinton administrations, including Assistant to the President and Counselor to the White House Chief of Staff, Executive Director of the White House National Economic Council, and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
A native of Florida, Ambassador Lane holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
The Barbara Sinatra Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award honors individuals whose leadership and service reflect a lasting commitment to community, civic responsibility, and global impact. Ambassador David J. Lane’s career and stewardship of Sunnylands embody these values, making him a most deserving recipient of this distinguished honor.
