EVANSVILLE, IN, MARCH 18, 2026 — Leadership Everyone held its 31st Annual Celebration of Leadership (COL) at Old National Events Plaza on Wednesday night. Presented by title sponsor CenterPoint Energy, the event recognized and celebrated the innovative, collaborative, and courageous accomplishments of 138 nominees.
Since its founding, Celebration of Leadership has recognized servant leaders of every age, race, ethnicity, religion, and background from across the region. “In 31 years, we have recognized more than 3,000 leaders and presented over 950 awards,” says Leadership Everyone CEO, Lynn Miller Pease. “Each year, what stands out most is the collective impact—seeing so many people committed to making this community stronger reminds us that leadership truly lives everywhere.”
Of the 138 nominees, 43 awards were presented across the region. Honors were given in the following categories: Arts; Community & Neighborhood; Education; Government, Public Service & Environment; and Health & Social Services, along with several additional special awards. The Lifetime Achievement Awards honored three regional leaders—Leonard Collins, Joel Hopper, and Lynn Kyle, with Collins and Hopper recognized posthumously.
Many guests continued the celebration at an after-party at Main Street Food & Beverage immediately following the event.
Nominations for next year’s event can be submitted at any time at col.leadershipeveryone.org.
Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Leonard Collins
Joel Hopper
Lynn Kyle
Special Awards
Spirit Award – Mustang Adoption Academy & Mustangs of Service Veterans Program
Leader in Technology Award – AstraZeneca’s STEM in the Community
Sportsmanship Award – Christine Leraris
Sara B. Davies Award – Eliza Kumapley
Shirley James Greening the Community Award – New Harmony Native Trees and Shrubs
Nancy Sieben Koehler Sustainability Award – Kyle L. Parker Memorial Scholarship Board of Directors
Sam Featherstone Youth Award – Gibson County CEO
Winternheimer/LaMar Public Service Award – E3 Initiative
Willie Effie Thomas Diversity Award – Bedford Collab
Willie Effie Thomas Diversity Award – Flavor Lab
Darrell Ragland Community Collaboration – Tom Moore
Trusteeship Award – Book Buddies
Epic Award – Granted House of Hope
Bryce Jordan Servant Leader – Dr. Austin Maxheimer
Susan Kelley Jordan Leader in Courage Award – Chris Pugh
LatinX Award – Mexican Mobile Consulate
Visionary Award – Society for Advancement of Fatality Elimination on Roads (SAFER)
Inspiration Award – Susan Harp
Healthy Communities Award – Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
Woods & Woods Veterans Award – ECHO Housing & Community Development
Woods & Woods Veterans Award – Savannah Whicker
Rev. Kevin Fleming Justice Award – Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc.
Outstanding Innovation Award – Danny Barr
Regional Impact Award – Dr. Dan Diehl
Division Awards
Individual – Cherri Johnson
Project or Program – Children’s Center for Dance Education’s “The Children’s Nutcracker” Sensory Friendly Performance
Business or Organization – Easterseals Rehabilitation Center
Recognition for Individual Achievement
Arts & Culture – Carol Dallinger
Community & Neighborhood – Gloria Schwartz-Mazo
Education – NaShayra Dilworth
Government, Public Service, & Environment – Emily Earhart
Health & Social Services – Lisa Myer
Recognition for Project or Program Achievement
Arts & Culture – UE Dance Company’s Silver Aces
Community & Neighborhood – AstraZeneca Vitalize
Education – Junior Achievement JobSpark
Government, Public Service, & Environment – EVPL Historical Programming
Health & Social Services – Karen’s Wig Shop by Chemo Buddies
Recognition for Business or Organization Achievement
Arts & Culture – Bosse Instrumental Boosters, Inc.
Community & Neighborhood – Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE)
Education – SABIC/MVHS Internship Program
Government, Public Service, & Environment – Retired Veteran Memorial Club
Health & Social Services – Southwest Indiana Recovery & Empowerment (SWIRE)