History

The Lacy Leadership Association began in 1980 as a way for leaders in Indianapolis to stay connected. Right away, those in the first Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership (SKL) programs understood the power that comes from working together to make our city stronger. And they didn’t want to see the connection fade after the leadership course was over.

So, as an official program of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Stanley K. Lacy Alumni began working together to infuse new ideas and volunteer resources into a city they wanted to help move in the right direction. Benefiting from educational and network-building opportunities along the way, the Alumni grew stronger. Soon, the SKLA leadership knew it was time to take a bold step in the quest to promote leadership and philanthropy in central Indiana.

In 1999, SKLA became its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — Lacy Leadership Association (LLA). This big step was made possible by forming the perfect partnership with the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Through this ongoing collaboration, LLA has the support of an established organization to engage membership in the philanthropic sector, and CICF benefits from the connection to key community leaders who are LLA members. Since then, we’ve continued to broaden and externalize our focus by expanding member services, developing and enhancing community relationships and providing members with opportunities to get involved in important community issues. Along the way, the SKL program has continued to inform and motivate emerging leaders and raise awareness of community issues through seminars, tours, reading and interaction with experts, leaders and decision makers.

Two Lacy Leadership Association programs also emerged to help meet unique needs within our community. Opportunity Indianapolis (OI) provides an orientation to important issues, channels of decision-making and avenues for civic involvement. Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) teaches practical leadership skills and techniques useful in one’s professional, civic and personal life. Every SKL, LEAD and OI graduate has an opportunity to join LLA, continuing to enjoy leadership development, community involvement, educational and social opportunities.

But, when it comes right down to it, what we do is create, develop and connect leaders. Our 600 members hold key positions on 900 different nonprofit boards. Our leaders are sought in their businesses, they are sought for boards of nonprofit organizations and they are sought when the community needs leadership for difficult task-force assignments. People refer to LLA as central Indiana’s premier leadership network.

With LLA members and alumni filling their ranks, businesses and nonprofits are more successful. Government is more responsive. Our programs and members infuse their civic and philanthropic leadership styles throughout the community, bringing the transformation our community needs. While we’re pleased with how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished, we know this is just a start. Now is the time for Lacy Leadership Association to look to the significant opportunities the future holds for our organization and for Indianapolis. We’ve come a long way in 30 years. The foundation and framework are in place. Now, it’s time to build on what was created three decades ago and realize the full potential of what LLA can do for its members and for our community. Our goal is to not only be a resource for our businesses, civic and governmental organizations, but for LLA to be an integral source of the building and growing of a world-class city.