Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo (Ret.) was honored at Drexel University’s Commencement with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa degree and was the commencement speaker of the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business graduation. The University highlighted many of Mr. Girard-diCarlo’s accomplishments, including his Ambassadorship to Austria, heading one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world, his work with The Pennsylvania Society, St. Joseph’s University, Villanova University School of Law, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, and his past service to many civic and cultural organizations. Also, of course, they recognized his work here at Cozen O’Connor.
Below is the biography printed in the University’s commencement newsletter. Also, you may click here to read his full remarks.
David F. Girard-diCarlo
Servant to His Community and Nation
Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo served in 2008-09 as U.S. ambassador to Austria, heading one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he oversaw more than 500 U.S. and Austrian employees and the operations of the U.S. mission to the United Nations in Vienna and the U.S. mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Ambassador Girard-diCarlo is an attorney with the Philadelphia firm Cozen O'Connor, where he provides strategic advice to clients in the banking, healthcare, education, transportation and service industries and government entities. He has been named in The Best Lawyers in America as a leading corporate lawyer and government relations specialist. He previously served for 22 years as the managing partner and chairman of a large Philadelphia professional services firm.
He is president of The Pennsylvania Society; a member of the board of trustees of Saint Joseph's University and the board of consultors of Villanova University School of Law; one of five members of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission; a member of the Council of American Ambassadors; and a member of the Diplomatic Council on Energy Security in Washington, D.C.
Ambassador Girard-diCarlo has served as chairman of the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, a board member of AMTRAK and chairman of the board of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). He has served in leadership positions at the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Academy of Music , the Walnut Street Theatre, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Arizona Heart Foundation, among others.
He has been honored with the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the Gerald Abraham Award for Distinguished Service from Villanova University School of Law, the Pontifical Honor of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his work as chairman of Business Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools and the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee.
Drexel University is proud to recognize the extensive career of public service of David F. Girard-diCarlo and to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.