What is COL?

Celebration of Leadership (COL) is a remarkably diverse and inclusive annual event whereby Leadership Everyone publicly seeks out and honors individuals, projects, programs, business, and organizations who make significant, collaborative contributions that improve and transform community in the Evansville region.

Who are the Recipients? How are they Selected?

A diverse panel of 10-20 volunteer community members from the Evansville region scores each nomination based on how it meets the criteria outlined by the nomination questions. Multiple nominations per nominee do not increase the chance of an award.

Recipients are not notified ahead of time—they are announced at the event!

See a list of previous recipients here.

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Learn about each of our Lifetime Achievement Award recipients from 2025!

How Do We Celebrate?

Every March, the community comes together to celebrate both nominees and recipients! The 31st Annual Celebration of Leadership will take place in March of 2026. Stay tuned for more info!

Nominee Party

We had so fun getting to know many of this year’s nominees at our Nominee Party at EVPL on February 23! View all photos here!

We are so grateful to COL Title Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank, and all the organizations and individuals who make COL possible! We could not do it without YOU.

Help us continue Celebration of Leadership and all our other programs by donating today!