Mission & History

Leadership Evansville Mission Statement
To develop effective leaders committed to utilizing diversity and creativity for the betterment of the community.

The mission statement of Leadership Evansville has remained viable over a number of years because the organization has realized that its meaning continues to change as we discover new ways to build and sustain our community into the future. Founded in 1976 by a group of future-thinking local leaders, LE's original commitment to community-wide betterment remains unique and strong. Today effective 21st Century Leadership Programs exist to strengthen and transform communities and to make communities “leader-full”. To do this Leadership Evansville:

• Brings together people with different talents, gifts and perspectives;
• Transforms these individuals into servant leaders who embrace the concept of community trusteeship and the collaborative process;
• Develops in them an understanding of how today's leaders function and teaches them the skills to apply this knowledge;
• Teaches effective processes, especially visioning a preferred future, consensus decision making and collaboration;
• Provides real-life opportunities to use the knowledge, skills and processes through practice and performance; and,
• Inspires people to identify their passion for community betterment, to make a commitment to create a better community and to take responsibility for making sustainable changes.

Leadership Evansville, through its staff and volunteers, teaches these attitudes, skills and processes to adults, youth, organizations, not-for-profits, businesses, educational institutions, neighborhood associations, churches and other leadership programs locally and at the state and national level. Leadership Evansville is committed to making its programming available to all who want to be 21st Century Leaders. Larraine Matusak says, “Leadership is not necessarily a title or a powerful position, it is a process, it is relational, it is making something happen.” And John Gardner adds, “We need many, many citizen leaders - not just a handful - at all the various levels and diverse segments of life . . . There are never enough.”

For further information about how to become involved with LE programs contact:
Leadership Evansville 1007 Parrett Street
Evansville, IN 47713 (812) 425-3828
leaders@leadershipevansville.org