EVENT HISTORY
Cattle Baron’s Ball is one of the premier cancer fundraising events both locally and across the nation. Since 2003, the Detroit Cattle Baron's Ball has raised over $17 million to support our mission to save lives and achieve a world free from the pain and suffering of cancer by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. Featuring remarkable support from metro Detroit’s top executives and community leaders, the celebration continues to succeed in setting revenue records year after year.
EVENT LEADERSHIP
2019 Christopher Couch, Cooper Standard, Honorary Chair
2018 Julie Fream, OESA, & Bob Young, Toyota, Honorary Co-Chairs
2017 Joy Falotico, Ford Motor Company, Honorary Chair
2016 Ken Hopkins, Neapco Holdings LLC, Executive Chair
2015 Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Motor Company, Honorary Chair
2014 Tim Mahoney, Chevrolet, Honorary Chair
2013 Saad Chehab, Chrysler, Honorary Chair
2012 Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company, Honorary Chair
2011 Joel Ewanick, Chevrolet, Honorary Chair
2010 Mark Reuss, Chevrolet, Honorary Chair and Rick Siebert and Betsy Meter, KPMG, Executive Co-Chairs
2009 Jeffrey D. Bergeron and Tamara Izzo, Ernst & Young, LLP, Executive Co-Chairs
2008 Ray G. Young, General Motors, Executive Chair
2007 Jacqui A. Dedo, The Timken Company, Executive Chair
2006 Eric Ridenour and Paul B. Wilbur, Chrysler, Executive Co-Chairs
2005 Greg C. and Ann Smith, Ford Motor Company, Executive Co-Chairs
2004 Gary L. and Kay Cowger, General Motors, Executive Co-Chairs
2003 Gary L. and Kay Cowger, General Motors, Executive Co-Chairs
COWGER LEADERSHIP AWARD
The first Cowger Leadership Award was presented to and named after Gary and Kay Cowger, the Detroit area’s first Cattle Baron’s Ball Executive Chairs at the 2004 Cattle Baron’s Ball. The Cowger Leadership Award represents the highest volunteer honor the American Cancer Society Lakeshore Division bestows on a member of this community. The Award is presented annually at Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Former award recipients include Gary & Kay Cowger, John Forte, Jeff Steiner, Christine Olszewski, Barb McAllister, Madeleine Phillips, Mel Stephens, Ken Hopkins, Greg Nowak, George Lenyo, Larry Ott, Kathy and John Brennan, and Susan Venen-Bock, Kate Mahanic, and Janelle Tischer.
The 2019 Cowger Leadership Award winner was Melissa Bunker.