2024
freedom Award
Presented by
The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2003, that is committed to carrying out the legacy of the late Gov. Pete du Pont.
Pete du Pont was one of Delaware’s most distinguished leaders. As governor, presidential candidate, founder of GOPAC, a scholar at the Hudson Institute and the Council for National Policy and as a spokesman and writer, Pete du Pont was a national leader in the cause of preserving individual freedoms.
As governor, Pete du Pont led the effort to dramatically lower tax rates because he trusted individuals - not the government - to better manage their money. He led the effort to deregulate Delaware’s financial services industry because he trusted free markets - more than governmental controls - to provide more opportunities, more jobs and a higher standard of living to all residents. With lower tax rates and less government regulation during Pete du Pont’s tenure as governor, Delaware rose to the forefront among states in economic growth.
Gov. Pete du Pont was a bipartisan leader in the Dover Statehouse. After significant disagreements and budget battles with his Democratic colleagues in the first year of his first term, he and they learned to work together to benefit all Delawareans. This bipartisan cooperation, combined with lower taxes and deregulation, paved the way for the Financial Services Development Act of 1981.
“Democratic capitalism is strengthened by encouraging individual as opposed to collective choice. America has not prospered over 225 years through collective action; it has prospered because people have been allowed to seize their own opportunities.”
–
Pete du Pont
We turn ideas into action, promote innovation for all, and help businesses grow.
Rooted in the principles espoused by Governor Pete du Pont, including Free Enterprise, SelfReliance, Service Orientation, and Equality of Access, the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation promotes our country’s spirit of private enterprise by fostering access to the marketplace for every entrepreneur and their ideas.
At the heart of our initiatives, we turn ideas into action, promote innovation for all, and help entrepreneurs build capacity and the skills needed to grow their businesses.
Much like Governor du Pont, we firmly believe that entrepreneurs are the heroes who create solutions to solve our world’s most pressing problems through the realization of bold ideas. Our programs are specifically designed to bolster these forwardthinkers by attentively addressing their needs and eliminating barriers to innovation.
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“I’m in a wonderful position: I’m unknown, I’m underrated, and there’s nowhere to go but up.”
– Pete du Pont
To learn more and join us in our efforts, please visit our website: Scan the QR Code or navigate to petedupontfreedomfoundation.org
PETE DU PONT FREEDOM AWARD
The Pete du Pont Freedom Award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has championed a successful idea that has led to economic growth or brought innovation to the private sector. The award ceremony celebrates our nation’s finest contributors to the entrepreneurial spirit.
We are proud to honor Incyte, represented by CEO Hervé Hoppenot, as our 2024 Pete du Pont Freedom Award Honoree.
Founded in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2002, Incyte is a pioneering global biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative medicines for patients with unmet medical needs. With a strong focus on oncology, inflammation and autoimmunity, Incyte has established operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, with an exceptional team of biologists and chemists based in Delaware working together to tackle new drug discovery and development to find meaningful solutions for patients by following the science.
Today, Incyte’s passion for innovation is stronger than ever with a team of more than 2,500 employees, over 1,000 research and clinical development employees, eight approved products and ongoing clinical trials in dozens of disease areas, and six consecutive years on Science Magazine’s Top Employer list.
“Under Hervé’s exceptional leadership, Incyte exemplifies everything that the Pete du Pont Freedom Award is about,” said PDFF Board Chair Thère du Pont. “We are thrilled to present this honor to a company that is innovating industries, driving economic growth in Delaware, and improving outcomes for individuals all over the world.”
“I am honored to be receiving the Pete du Pont Freedom Award on behalf of Incyte. Our mission to Solve On. is driven by our relentless pursuit to find answers for patients by following the science,” said Hervé Hoppenot, President and CEO of Incyte. “This award reaffirms our commitment to pioneering progress and recognizes the collective experience, passion and perseverance of our entire team.”
Hervé Hoppenot joined Incyte in 2014 as President and CEO and was later appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2015. Under his leadership, Incyte has grown tremendously, tripling its clinical candidates and expanding its research into new therapeutic areas focusing on rare and often hard-to-treat diseases. Incyte also expanded geographically with clinical development and commercial presence in North America, Europe and Asia.
7:05 7:25 7:35 7:55 6:50 October 22, 2024
program for the evening
Opening Remarks
Thère du Pont Reinventing Delaware 2024 Announcement
Keynote Introduction Paula Swain
Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources & Facilities, Incyte
Keynote
Hervé Hoppenot
President and Chief Executive Officer, Incyte
Pete du Pont Freedom Award Presentation
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Legacy and Patriot Members are vital to our mission. They are at the forefront of creating solutions that address complex challenges for entrepreneurs and are representative of Governor du Pont’s legacy.
Annual member contributions are tax-deductible and are not limited to a donation.
We welcome our members to apply their experience and desire to support entrepreneurs as mentors, committee members, consultants or volunteers.
Legacy Members Patriot Members
Mrs. Elise du Pont
Pierre du Pont*
Thère du Pont*
Ben du Pont
Rob Martinelli*
Elise Zoller*
Tony Allen*
Rob Buccini
Patrick Callahan*
Charlie Copeland
Andrew DiSabatino
Kevin Dombrowski*
Dan Freeman*
Robert Fraser
Peggy Geisler
Nora Gonzalez*
Martina Hayward
Derwin Johnson*
– Pete du Pont “
“That’s the way it is with entrepreneurial people. You try one thing, it doesn’t work, you try another.”
Scott Malfitano
Sanjay Mukherjee
Bob Perkins
David & Michelle Shepherd
Mark Stellini
Terry Strine
Jim Taylor*
Michael Uffner
Cathy Pulos*
Jacqueline DiSabatino*
Frank Ursamurso
* = denotes Board Member
The Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (E3) initiative is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs as they navigate the complexities of the business landscape, bridging resource gaps, and accelerating the growth of their enterprises. In line with Governor Pete du Pont’s enduring legacy of championing small businesses, E3 upholds this mission by providing targeted support to entrepreneurs across diverse industries.
Through E3, we assist entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities to streamline their operations and boost profitability. Our services include leadership mentoring, technical assistance, strategic guidance, and customized business resources—offered with flexibility to accommodate the unique schedules and timelines of our participants. Most importantly, E3 fosters vital connections by linking entrepreneurs with funding partners, collaborative opportunities, new clients, and advocates for their success.
With a rolling application process, we welcome small businesses seeking support through E3 Membership, business consultants and service providers looking to build new client relationships, and industry experts eager to mentor the next generation of business leaders.
“For more information on how to get involved, visit petedupontfreedomfoundation.org/e3
“If I hadn’t joined E3, I know I would have taken some wrong turns when it comes to navigating the foundational steps of starting and growing a business. E3 makes me feel like I’m not alone. Every event makes me feel like I have a safe space and I really appreciate that.”
– Alexis Harris, Owner of First State Destinations
E3 IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
Reinventing Delaware 2024 Top Ideas
Toivoa
Championed by Laura Randa
Toivoa offers a unique solution that combines on-demand cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) from licensed clinical psychologists with personalized support from NBHWC-certified mental health coaches, empowering 54 million Americans to manage mental health challenges and achieve lasting well-being.
OperaDelaware - Artists in Residency
Championed by Kerriann Otaño
OperaDelaware aims to make Delaware a regional hub for opera and a destination for creatives by developing a workforce initiative that provides artists with long-term support and family-sustaining wages. This model aims to enhance the state’s creative economy, retain top talent, and position Delaware as a leader in the arts.
Repetto Writing Solutions
Championed by Bill Repetto
Repetto Writing Solutions aims to create a statewide consortium to improve the quantity and quality of grant applications from both for-profit and nonprofit businesses in Delaware. This initiative will foster mentorship and provide expert proposal development to help Delaware secure more external grant funding.
The highly anticipated 10th Anniversary Reinventing Delaware Dinner will be on November 21, 2024 at The Wilmington Club in downtown Wilmington.
As a beacon of innovation, this year’s event promises to bring together visionaries, business leaders, community stakeholders, and creative minds from across the state to foster collaboration and share groundbreaking ideas aimed at catalyzing job growth, enhancing the economy, and making Delaware an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Public idea submissions will be accepted until October 28, 2024 online at petedupontfreedomfoundation.org/reinventing-delaware2025-idea-submission-form
– Pete du Pont “
“The future demands ideas that break the mold.”
