- 2024: Chris Craver, Ron Labinski, Joe Spear, Dennis Wellner, Earl Santee, Populus
- 2023: Marcelo Claure, Claure Group, Brightstar
- 2022: David Steward, World Wide Technology
- 2020: Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia
- 2019: Paul Gorup, Cliff Illig, Neal Patterson, Cerner Corporation
- 2018: Steve Case, AOL, Revolution
- 2017: Moshe Safdie, Safdie Architects
- 2016: Dave and Demi Kiersznowski, Demdaco
- 2014: Philip Anschutz, The Anschutz Corporation
- 2013: Jim Sinegal, Costco
- 2012: Brian Lamb, C-SPAN
- 2011: Meg Whitman, eBay
- 2009: Arthur Blank, Home Depot
- 2008: Dr Min Kao, Garmin, International
- 2007: Kate and Andy Spade, kate spade New York
- 2006: Richard T. Farmer, Cintas
- 2005: Henry Bloch, H&R Block
- 2004: Mark Goldston, United online
- 2003: Lamar Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs - AFL
- 2002: Wayne Huizenga, Blockbuster
- 2001: William C. France, International Speedway Corp. NASCAR
- 2000: Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines
- 1999: Robert Ballard, Institute for Exploration - Titanic discovery
- 1998: Allen Neuharth, USA Today, Gannet Co., Inc
- 1997: Abby M. O'Neil, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
- 1996: Ted Turner, Turner Brodcasting Systems
- 1995: Debbie Fields, Mrs. Fields Cookies
- 1994: Richard M. Schulze, Best Buy Co.
- 1993: Dick and Kari Clark, Dick Clark Productions
- 1992: Jerome A. Chazen, Liz Claiborne
- 1991: Geraldine Laybourne, Nickelodeon, Oxygen Networks
- 1990: Ross Perot Jr., Hillwood Development Corporation
- 1989: William E. Simon, Us Olymic Foundation - U.S. Treasury
- 1988: Richard M. Devos, Amway Corporation
- 1986: Malcolm “Steve” Forbes, Forbes, Inc.
- 1985: : J. Peter Grace, W & R Grace and Company
- 2016: Ewing Marion Kauffman, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
- 2024: Pat McCown and Brett Gordon, McCownGordon Construction
- 2023: Chris and Angie Long, Palmer Square Management, KC Current
- 2022: Justin Davis, BacklotCars
- 2020: Nathaniel Hagedorn, Northpoint Development
- 2019: Michael Rea, Rx Savings Solutions
- 2018: Toby Rush, EyeVerify
- 2017: Sandy and Christine Kemper, C2FO
- 2016: Gary Fish, Fishtech Labs
- 2015: Danny O'Neil, Roasterie Coffee
- 2014: Tim Barton, Freightquote
- 2013: David Brain, EPR Properties
- 2012: John Mcdonald, Boulevard Brewing Company
- 2011: Jerry Kelly, Silpada Designs
- 2010: Mike Brown, Euronet Worldwide
- 2009: John J. Sherman, Inergy
- 2008: Dan Lowe, RED Development
- 2007: L. William Zahner, A ZAhner Company
- 2006: G Kenneth Baum, George K. Baum and Company
- 2005: James E. Ferrell, Ferrellgas
- 2004: Hugh Zimmer, The Zimmer Companies
- 2003: William "Doc" Worley, Kingston Environmental Services
- 2002: Thomas Sanders, Midwest Mechanical Contractors
- 2001: Thomas McDonnel, DST System, Inc.
- 2000: Fred Merril, Cereal Food Processors, Inc.
- 1999: Stanley Durwood, AMC Entertainment
- 1998: Kathellen W. Andrews and John P McMeel, Andrews McMeel Universal
- 1997: Abe J. Gustin, Applebees International
- 1996: John T. Lockton III, Lockton Companies
- 1995: Rich Davis, K.C. Masterpiece BBQ
- 1994: Clifford W Illig and Neal L. Patterson, Cerner Corp.
- 1993: Barnett C Helzberg Jr., Helzberg Diamonds, Inc.
- 1992: James E Stowers Jr., American Century Investments
- 1991: Richard C Thompson, American Italian Pasta Company
- 1990: James J. Kerwin, Bankers Life Insurance Company of New York
- 1989: Paul H. Henderson, EMBARQ
- 1988: Terry Van Der Tuuk, Graphic Technology, Inc.
- 1986: Henry and Richard Bloch, H&R Block
- 1985: Ewing M. Kauffman, Marion Labs
- 2024: Natasha Herdman, Pawsperity
- 2023: David Johnson, Chicken N Pickle, Maxus Realty Trust
- 2022: Jay Coen Gilbert, Andrew Kassoy, Bart Houlahan, B-Lab Global
- 2020: Robert Hatch, Cereal Ingredients Inc., FINCA International
- 2019: Maria Meyers, SourceLink
- 2018: Paul DeBruce, DeBruce Companies
- 2017: BNIM, Mark One Electric, JE Dunn Contrsuction, U.S. Engineering, Kauffman Performing Arts Construction Project
- 2016: Joe and Judy Roetheli, The Lil' Red Foundation
- 2015: Gary White, Water.org and WaterEquity
- 2014: Sister Berta Sailer and Sister Corita Bussanmas, Operation Breakthrough
- 2013: Jim and Virginia Stowers, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
- 2012: Robert, Catherine and Victor Regnier, Regnier Family Foundations
- 2011: Julia Irene Kauffman
- 2010: Terry and Peggy Dunn
- 2009: John and Susan McMeel
- 2008: Irv and Ellen Hockady
- 2007: The Byron D. Thompson Family
- 2006: The Robert J. Reintjes Sr. Family
- 2005: Barbara and Bill Nelson
- 2004: Fred and Shirley Pryor
- 2003: Al Mauro
- 2002: Ben Smith
- 2001: Barnett and Shirley Helzberg
- 2000: Jeanette Nichols
- 1999: William Dunn, Sr.
- 1998: Steve Metzler
- 1997: Sharon and John Hoffman
- 1996: The Hall Family (Adele, Donald, Jill, and Donald Jr.)
- 1995: Mary Shaw Branton
- 1994: Bunni Copaken
