Cindi Bigelow receives lifetime achievement award from Character.Org
Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO of Bigelow Tea, was honoured with the National Workplace Lifetime Achievement Award from Character.org for inspiring people to develop good character and for her company’s sustainability efforts, which help protect the environment.
Character.org said: “This award serves to recognise role models and mentors like you who inspire us to dream – to reach for joy, laughter, compassion, hope, integrity, and all the character traits that you and your family have displayed through your tireless efforts to not only create a sustainable quality product but also creating a lasting impact by limiting harm on the environment through your company’s initiatives.”
Character.org is a national advocacy group that promotes character education and strives to influence people in other areas, including the workplace, the family and sports. The National Character Awards “honour individuals who have committed themselves to living out character-driven lives.”
In accepting the honour, Bigelow, who is the third-generation CEO of the family-owned company, praised the organisation for promoting and building character in youth starting at a young age.
“I firmly believe that character is developed at an early age,” Bigelow said. “And I had the best role models in the world — my parents. Especially my father, who believed nothing was too small in terms of acts of kindness or in making sure you were always trying to do the right thing.”
She shared examples of how her father taught her the meaning of character and said: “That is how I have tried to run my life and run the business. I have realised more and more as the years have gone by that we are all role models — no, we are not perfect, and we make mistakes — but we are role models to everyone around us.”
“Every day, every action we take counts: our words count, how we treat people counts,” she said. “So, getting this award from a room full of role models is very humbling and very reinforcing of the good people and good work being done every day.”
Bigelow has a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College and an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. She has received honorary doctorates from Johnson & Wales University, the University of New Haven and Fairfield University. She often speaks to students and industry leaders on business ethics and career development.
About Bigelow Tea Company
Based in Fairfield, Connecticut and 100% family owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category nearly 75 years ago. The three-generational company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s leading specialty tea brand. Producing 2 billion tea bags annually, the Bigelow Tea line includes more than 150 varieties of flavoured, traditional, green, herbal, decaffeinated, steep by Bigelow Organic and Bigelow Benefits Wellness teas.
