EVANSVILLE, IN — January 29, 2026 — Leadership Everyone (LE) announced today that it will honor 138 nominees at the 31st Annual Celebration of Leadership (COL) on March 18, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Old National Events Plaza. The event is presented by CenterPoint Energy.
Celebration of Leadership is a community-wide recognition program honoring individuals, projects or programs, and businesses or organizations whose collaborative efforts strengthen and transform the region. Nominees are recognized across five categories: Arts & Culture; Community & Neighborhood; Education; Government, Public Service & Environment; and Health & Social Services.
For three decades, COL has been known for its breadth, diversity, and ability to inspire civic engagement. Since its inception, the program has recognized nearly 3,000 nominations and presented more than 900 awards, highlighting servant leadership in action throughout the region.
Nominees will be recognized at the March 18 ceremony, with award recipients announced live during the event. In advance of the celebration, nominees will also be invited to a special networking reception on February 22, offering an opportunity to connect, share their work, and celebrate alongside fellow changemakers.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, with complimentary tickets available as needed, no questions asked. Tickets are on sale now at col.leadershipeveryone.org.
Nominees
INDIVIDUALS
Arts & Culture
Carol Dallinger
Dick Engbers
Dr. Leanne Hampton
Sean Stone
Community & Neighborhood
Olivia Alston
Danny Barr
Catie Catanese
Cynthia Chester
Leonard Collins
Dr. Dan Diehl
Jessica Ellis
Markanthony Garcia
Neal Hagan
Susan Harp
Terri Hartweck
Joel Hopper
Kyra Hoss
Tommy Housman
Cherri Johnson
Jessica Knapp
Eliza Kumapley
Lynn Kyle
Kelly Lanham
Christine Leraris
Dr. Austin Maxheimer
Sr. Jane Michelle McClure
Ashlyn McKee
Tom Moore
Jasmine Mouncil
Kristie Randolph
Gloria Schwartz-Mazo
Amy Jo Sheeley
Eric Tillman
Education
Jamie Bandy
Brian Bobbitt
Rick Cameron
Rebecca Coomer
NaShayra Dilworth
Niti Moore
Sandra Moore
Laura Nordine
Brittney Welch
Government, Public Service, & Environment
Abby Baumgart
Payton Broshears
Danielle Crook
Emily Earhart
Salah ElSadi
Rian Kisner
Tony Knight
Ariah Leary
Lieutenant Erik Nilssen
Luke Nordine
Christopher Norrick
Chaze Patrick
Chris Pugh
Elizabeth Stuckey
Health & Social Services
Jessica Beaven
Nicole Brauser
Brittany Henderson
Cyndie Kieffer
LaRissa Madison
Keesha Medley
Molly Mendenhall
Lisa Myer
Collette Smith
Dr. Lois Welden
Savannah Whicker
Dr. Julie Wohrley
PROJECTS & PROGRAMS
Arts & Culture
Children’s Center for Dance Education’s “The Children’s Nutcracker” Sensory Friendly Performance
Never Forget, Never Again—Irene Rechnic Holocaust Story
UE Dance Company’s Silver Aces
University of Evansville Theatre’s Rogue and Peasant Aces Community Tour of MACBETH, by William Shakespeare
Keep Rolling
Community & Neighborhood
AstraZeneca Vitalize
Avery’s Place
Book Buddies
ChangeLab in the EPN
e is for everyone – Belong Here
E3 Initiative
Flavor Lab
Foodie Friends Community Garden
Garvin Park Activity Zone
Jacobsville Bus Shelters Volunteer Effort
Kyle L. Parker Memorial Scholarship Board of Directors
Mexican Mobile Consulate
MTV Neighborhood Garden
The Newburgh Neighbors Program by Historic Newburgh, Inc.
Posey County Ramp Team
Presidents Neighborhood Association Food Insecurity Initiative
Education
Baby Explorer Bundles
EVSC IREAD Tutoring Program
Gentleman’s Academy
Gibson County CEO
Helfrich Park STEM Academy Land Between the Lakes
JA Evansville Regional Business Hall of Fame
Junior Achievement JobSpark
Marrs – AstraZeneca Community Collaboration
New Tech High School STEM Fest
Government, Public Service, & Environment
EVPL Historical Programming
Vanderburgh County CISMA
VHS Help for Heroes
Health & Social Services
Granted House of Hope
Henderson County Homeless Coalition & Daniel Pitino Shelter Partnership in Henderson County
Karen’s Wig Shop by Chemo Buddies
Pastimes: A Publication for Older Adults
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Southern Indiana
Vanderburgh County Health Department Condom Distribution Program
VHS Margie’s Pet Food Pantry
BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS
Arts & Culture
Bosse Instrumental Boosters, Inc.
Children’s Center for Dance Education
Ohio Valley Art League (OVAL)
The School of Ballet Indiana
Victory International Film Festival
Community & Neighborhood
American Legion Newburgh Auxiliary Unit #44
Bedford Collab
Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE)
The Cox Group
GOAT Escape Rooms
Hair by Kyra Hoss
Henderson KY Pride Inc
Pet Partners of the Tri-State
The Salon Professional Academy
Tillman Bros Lawn Care
Young and Established
Education
AstraZeneca’s STEM in the Community
SABIC/MVHS Internship Program
Signature School
Government, Public Service, & Environment
New Harmony Native Trees and Shrubs
Newburgh Chemical Fire Response
Retired Veteran Memorial Club
Society for Advancement of Fatality Elimination on Roads (SAFER)
Health & Social Services
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center
ECHO Housing & Community Development
Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc.
Mustang Adoption Academy & Mustangs of Service Veterans Program
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley
Southwest Indiana Recovery & Empowerment (SWIRE)