USD Board Chair Emeritus Donald Knauss Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) has announced that Donald Knauss, chair emeritus of the USD Board of Trustees, will receive the organization’s B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award. The recognition honors individuals who have distinguished service on public, private or nonprofit boards and demonstrate exemplary professionalism and leadership that “should have an impact that is visible in boardrooms today.”

In addition to USD, Knauss is a member of the board of directors for the retailer Target, healthcare and pharmaceutical supplier McKesson, and food company Kellanova (formerly the Kellogg Corporation). He became vice chair of the Marine Corps University Foundation board of trustees in 2024. 

In his nomination letter for the award, USD President James T. Harris III, DEd praised Knauss’ dedication and leadership: “During his time leading the Board of Trustees, Don epitomized the characteristics that make him an ideal candidate for the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award. He led with a deeply ingrained sense of integrity, a quiet confidence and informed judgment. He held himself to the highest standards, gave selflessly and inspired a new way of teaching business at USD.”

Knauss has served on the university’s board since 2008, and was chair from 2016 to 2023. Knauss and his wife Ellie, who are parents of a USD graduate, have given a transformational $50 million to USD. Their giving established the Knauss Center for Business Education, a state of the art facility housing USD’s business programs, and the school was named the Knauss School of Business in honor of Don and Ellie’s generosity.

“We proudly carry the Knauss name and all it means — and will come to mean — in the world of business,” said Harris. “Thanks to Don’s vision and generosity, our students have the resources and experiences to help them use their talents to make a difference in the organizations and communities they serve. In short, Don has given a whole new meaning to the phrase, ‘Business is good.’”

Knauss is a Marine Corps veteran and began his career at Procter & Gamble’s paper division in brand management. He served in marketing and sales roles for both PepsiCo and the Coca-Cola company, and served as president of the Minute Maid Company, president of Coca-Cola Southern Africa and president and chief operating officer of Coca-Cola North America. In 2006 he became chair and CEO of the Clorox company, a role he held until his retirement in 2015.

In May, Knauss was ranked by the Wall Street Journal among the top 20 of America’s corporate board directors. 

— USD News Center