2025 Crystal Award: Meet this year's winners

At Davos 2025, we celebrate the extraordinary, positive impact of exceptional Cultural Leaders who are transforming society. The recipients of the 2025 Crystal Award are not just visionaries — they are catalysts for meaningful change.

Through their creativity and insight, they unite us, expand our understanding of the human experience and offer bold, transformative visions that challenge short-term thinking and narrow perspectives. Their work fosters deeper connections, sparks profound reflection and drives the creation of a more inclusive, forward-thinking future; one that has the power to shape society for the better.

The three recipients of the 31st Annual Crystal Award are: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global advocate for children's rights, David Beckham; celebrated fashion designer, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights, Diane von Fürstenberg; and renowned architect, social activist and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto.

"In my 20 years as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, I've had the privilege of witnessing the outstanding commitment of the organization’s ambassadors, staff, and supporters in their mission to protect and uplift children globally. As I accept this award, I think of the many individuals who work tirelessly in challenging circumstances to improve children's lives around the world."

David Beckham will be honoured with the 2025 Crystal Award in recognition of his long term humanitarian work and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide. Through his relentless dedication to children's education, protection and well-being, Beckham has emerged as a powerful global leader in advocacy for the rights of vulnerable children worldwide, using his platform and resources to create lasting, positive change.

This year celebrating two decades as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David has travelled extensively including to crisis-stricken areas where he has shone a light on the need of children who are too often on the front line of conflict and crisis. His work extends beyond emergency response; he is a dedicated advocate for young women and adolescent girls – supporting targeted programmes that invest in health, education, rights and gender equality. Through his work with UNICEF, he has raised awareness of the importance of immunization and is a long-time campaigner for malaria prevention.

In 2009, David became a founding member of Malaria No More and has been an ambassador of the UK based charity ever since. In 2018, he led the award-winning Malaria Must Die campaign which reached one billion people ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, calling for bold action to lead to a malaria-free world.

David’s belief in the transformative power of sport as a force for good in our world has led him to support many programmes aimed at young people, driving grassroots initiatives that address issues such as racism, mental health, and equal opportunities. His personal commitment to supporting young talent in football lead to his contribution to the development in US soccer of an academy system that ensures access and inclusion.

Beckham’s legacy as both a world-renowned athlete and a committed ambassador for children’s rights exemplifies his profound cultural impact and influence in driving social change. His enduring dedication to improving lives around the world showcases the power of his platform to deliver influence and impact for the greater good, delivering significant global reach and positive outcomes.

"I became a woman in charge because of a simple little dress that embodied confidence. Because it was a dress, I was able to share that confidence with so many women…and that was the beginning of my mission of empowering women."

Diane von Furstenberg, the renowned fashion designer, philanthropist, and author is receiving the 2025 Crystal Award for her exceptional contributions to empowering women through philanthropy, mentorship and social responsibility. As founder of her eponymous brand and creator of the iconic wrap dress, she has consistently championed women’s independence and strength as a leading voice in the movement for gender equality and women’s rights.

Beyond her fashion contributions, Furstenberg is a passionate advocate for women. In 2010, alongside the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, she created The DVF Awards to recognize, support and amplify the voices of extraordinary women who are dedicated to transforming the lives of other women. Each year, they recognize five honorees with a grant to further their important work.

Diane also serves on the board of Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit organization founded in 1997. A powerful global network of female leaders, its members include more than 20,000 change makers across 185 countries, all daring to imagine a more equitable future for all. She is also on the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) after serving as its chairwoman for thirteen years.

Her philanthropic work has earned numerous accolades, including the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She received the Chevalier de la Légion D’Honneur from France in 2020, as well as the Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Couronne from her native Belgium in 2021. In addition to her efforts to empower women, she also spearheaded the fundraising and creation of the new Statue of Liberty Museum on New York’s Liberty Island.

"Architecture is created by the people of a community, and it is essential for the continuity of that community. The responsibility of an architect is to create beautiful architecture together with the people of the community. Architecture has the power to carry the proud memories of the community into the future. It would be my greatest joy to create such architecture. I am honored to receive the Crystal Award."

Riken Yamamoto is honoured with the 2025 Crystal Award for his outstanding contributions to architecture and society. His dedication to community regeneration, groundbreaking work in sustainability and thoughtful design philosophy have had a significant impact. Yamamoto’s work influences the future of architectural practice, highlighting its vital role in improving human life and preserving the environment.

Born in 1945 in Beijing, Yamamoto is a visionary architect and educator whose work has shaped both the built environment and architectural thought. He has taught at Yokohama National University, served as president of Nagoya Zokei University, held visiting professorships at Tokyo University of the Arts and currently serves as a visiting professor at Kanagawa University. Yamamoto’s contributions have earned him Honorary Professor and Honorary Doctor of Engineering titles from Yokohama National University and Nihon University.

His influential designs, including Hotakubo Housing, Saitama Prefectural University, Jian Wai SOHO and the Yokosuka Museum of Art, reflect his belief in architecture as a catalyst for human connection and societal progress. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, he founded the Local Area Republic Lab to support community regeneration, reinforcing his commitment to architecture as a place for healing.

Yamamoto’s achievements were recognized with the Japan Art Academy Prize in 2001, and in 2024, he received the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker jury hailed his work as a “contribution to humanity,” while Tom Pritzker, Chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, described him as a “world-class philosopher,” acknowledging the deep, thoughtful nature of his architectural philosophy.

Yamamoto’s global impact spans Japan, China and Europe, blending modernism with cultural sensitivity. A pioneer in sustainable design, his work prioritizes environmental harmony, energy efficiency, and the use of natural materials.

Yamamoto’s legacy is a reminder that architecture is not just about buildings, but about the lasting impact spaces can have on people and communities.