Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Honored As ‘Business Leader of The Year’

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse received another prestigious award this week. He was awarded as the ‘Business Leader of the Year’ in 2026 by the Harvard Business School Association of Northern California in San Francisco.

Ripple CEO Gets Honorary Award From Harvard Business School

According to a press release, Tuesday night’s event at the Julia Morgan Ballroom had more than 250 in attendance. It featured several founders like Ripple CEO Garlinghouse, investors, and alumni in the room.

The prize, which was first awarded in 1969, is given to CEOs who have had a significant impact on their field and community. Previous winners have come from the tech, education and public service sectors. Hence, Garlinghouse is now a part of a legacy of influential leaders.

A highlight of the event was a 40-minute conversation between Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, Ripple’s co-founder and executive chairman. The discussion centered on Ripple’s journey over the last 10 years.

They explained the company’s success from a mere startup to a major financial technology player. The excess also discussed its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. With Ripple acquiring numerous feats in the case, it has had larger implications for the crypto industry.

Also, it’s important to note that in a separate update, Garlinghouse doubled down on his advocacy for the CLARITY Act.

Garlinghouse Attracts Praise From Participants

Event chair Ben Dubin noted Garlinghouse’s leadership and Ripple’s role in financial infrastructure. “He built Ripple into a company that is redefining the infrastructure of global finance, and along the way took on a legal fight that benefited the entire industry,” Dubin said. Meanwhile, Ripple is moving toward making XRP Ledger quantum-proof.

Harvard Business School professor David B. Yoffie praised Garlinghouse for his focus on scalability. He noted the Ripple CEO has “an extraordinary ability to scale a complex platform while maintaining a steadfast commitment to his core vision.” Along similar lines, Ripple has continued partnering institutions.

Board member Vince Lane also highlighted Garlinghouse’s contributions to the blockchain industry. Lane said that he “did not simply participate in the evolution of blockchain – he helped define it.”