Leadership Everyone gathered board members, alumni, supporters, and community partners for its 2026 Annual Meeting, celebrating another year of leadership development and community impact while also announcing plans for the organization’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2027.
During the meeting, Leadership Everyone shared updates from across its major initiatives, including Regional VOICE, Celebration of Leadership the Community Leadership Program, Supported Schools, and ongoing facilitation work supporting Evansville Promise Neighborhood through evaluative community meetings and engagement efforts.
Among the year’s highlights:
- Leadership Everyone hosted additional Regional VOICE sessions and continued strengthening its process for connecting community feedback and participant data to meaningful action and programming outcomes.
- The organization hosted its 31st Celebration of Leadership event, which featured 138 nominees, 43 awards, and approximately 750 attendees.
- The Supported Schools Project experienced one of its strongest years yet, including one full-day and seven half-day leadership sessions at Bosse High School, with 181 students completing the program.
- The Community Leadership Program served 71 participants this year in addition to Bosse High School students, with more than 40% of participants receiving scholarships.
Leadership Everyone also recognized Kathy Boyd as its 2026 Alumnus of the Year. Boyd has been involved with Leadership Everyone for many years, providing countless hours of service and sharing her inspirational story with thousands of alumni and participants throughout the region.
The organization conducted official board elections during the meeting and announced the 2026–27 Executive Committee:
- President — Kelly Cozart, Ivy Tech Community College
- President-Elect — Jason Rutledge, Equipment Depot
- Vice President — Dempson Haney, Hafer
- Treasurer — Chad Smith, United Companies
- Secretary — Kyle Gorman, Evansville Rescue Mission
- Past President — Beth Kroft, CenterPoint Energy
- Director-at-Large — Mallory Embry, SABIC
Leadership Everyone also thanked departing board members as well as Beth Kroft, who remained President for two years, for their service and leadership.
As the organization approaches its 50th anniversary in the upcoming fiscal year, Leadership Everyone announced plans for a year of special programming and celebration. The 2027 Celebration of Leadership event will feature a special “best of” format honoring standout leaders, moments, and stories from the organization’s history and impact over the past five decades.
Additional anniversary plans include an overnight celebration at Barn Abbey in New Harmony — a longtime retreat location for Leadership Everyone programs — as well as an international leadership learning trip for a small group of interested participants.
Leadership Everyone also announced upcoming Community Leadership Program dates:
- June 9–11, 2026
- October 27–29, 2026
- February 9–11, 2027
Community members were encouraged to volunteer, sponsor scholarships, provide meals for participants, and engage with upcoming programming.
Leadership Everyone is grateful to AstraZeneca, Field & Main Bank, River Pointe Health Campus, and Romain Automotive Group for sponsoring the Annual Meeting and supporting the organization’s mission to develop inclusive servant leaders throughout the region.
For more information about Leadership Everyone programs and opportunities to get involved, visit leadershipeveryone.org.