Manulife Financial Corp. president and CEO Dominic D’Alessandro has been honored for having overcoming adversity and humble beginnings to achieve success.

At a ceremony in Washington Friday, D’Alessandro was given the 2005 International Horatio Alger Award from The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc.

“I’m delighted to be associated with such an impressive group of people, all of whom are self-made achievers,” said D’Alessandro in a statement. “I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have been mentored well and to have worked with exceptional people. I have benefited from the help received throughout my life from my family, teachers and many colleagues, and am proud to share this Award with them.”

D’Alessandro joined the 10 recipients of the 2005 Horatio Alger Award, as well as 100 Horatio Alger scholarship winners from high schools across the U.S. at the annual ceremony. At the event, Award recipients share with the young scholarship winners their philosophies and experiences that helped them triumph over adversity and create success in their lives.