The Ruderman Family Foundation has announced that American Jewish designer, activist and Mental Health Coalition founder Kenneth Cole has been named the recipient of the 2025 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion. It recognizes his transformative leadership in confronting the stigma of mental health and building a national movement for inclusion through storytelling, awareness and action.
The formal award presentation is slated for New York City this spring.
“Nearly five years ago, I founded the Mental Health Coalition (MHC) with a clear understanding: We can and must confront the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health that prevents millions from seeking the essential treatment they deserve,” explained Cole. “This award from the Ruderman Family Foundation is a meaningful reminder of how inclusion can change and save lives—continuing our efforts to destigmatize and prioritize mental health, and fostering happier, more productive and more connected communities.”
The announcement coincides with Cole and MHC’s preparations for the Third Annual Well-Being at Work Day, an initiative on cultivating happier, more productive workplaces nationwide. It will take place on Dec. 2 in New York City, bringing together CEOs and business leaders across industries who are committed to wellness in the workplace.
Cole’s leadership in workplace mental health reflects the same values of inclusion, innovation and social responsibility that define the mission of the Ruderman Family Foundation.
His recognition places him among a distinguished roster of past recipients who have used their platforms to advance inclusion and been recognized for their efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. These include actor and recording artist Selena Gomez; medal-winning Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps; five-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love; award-winning actress Eva Longoria; and Academy Award–nominated actor Taraji P. Henson.
Other past honorees have been recognized for advancing inclusion in different arenas, including world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli; Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf; and former Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).
“Kenneth Cole has redefined what it means to lead—not only in fashion, but in culture,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “For decades, he has used his platform to confront stigma, challenge silence and elevate the voices of those too often overlooked.”
In the realm of mental health, he continued, “Cole’s leadership has united advocates, organizations and everyday individuals into a movement that is both visible and impactful. He has used his influence not to speak over others, but to empower them to speak for themselves—to share their stories, claim their space and be heard. His work is a powerful reminder that inclusion means visibility, vulnerability and action, and that true change happens when we create space for every voice at the table.”
Through the Mental Health Coalition, Cole has brought together more than 50 of the nation’s leading mental-health organizations—NAMI, Mental Health America and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, among others—to create a first-of-its-kind alliance of nonprofits, corporations, creators, researchers and experts.
The award also recognizes Cole’s long-standing commitment to social justice, which spans decades of advocacy. As one of the first designers to weave social impact into the fabric of fashion marketing, he has used his brand to amplify voices that are often ignored.
In its 11th year, the Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the inclusion of people with disabilities and other marginalized communities. Named after Foundation founder Morton E. Ruderman, the award celebrates those who advance equity and opportunity through innovation, advocacy and leadership.
