The IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Industry Leader Award recognizes an industry executive whose leadership has resulted in major and outstanding advances and new directions in the information and communications business. Eligible recipients are information or communications industry executives who have played a major leadership role in research or development and the introduction of systems, devices, applications or services that have significantly impacted the communications and information markets on a global basis. The candidate must show that he or she has substantially advanced the use of information and communication technologies in industry, commerce and society. The candidate is not required to be an IEEE member.

The award looks for executive leadership resulting in major advances and new directions in the information and communications business area.  Evaluation is based on factors such as the global acceptance of products and services, financial success and growth of the business, ubiquity of the products and services, emulation of the contributions by the competition, and the degree of the candidate's global recognition.  Other selection criteria include time of service, impact and specific innovations.

The 2023 award has been given to Ulrich L. Rohde for contributions and leadership in radios and electronic test-measurement equipment that has supported the design of modern communication systems and their industrial implementations.