History of Leadership Greater Washington

Updated August 2007

1986 -

Leadership Washington was founded by 18 dedicated members of the Washington region and co-founded by the Board of Trade and the Junior League, and it was modeled after successful community leadership programs of Atlanta and Philadelphia. Funding from the Meyer Foundation, IBM, and independent community leaders provided support for the start of the LW program.

1987, September -

The first LW class began under the direction of John Tydings and Janet MacNamara Harrison. Steve Harlan chaired the organization.

1987, November -

LW hired its first full-time employee, Phyllicia Hatton.

1988, July -

Alumni Association established for LW graduates; Diane Flanery Montgomery (’87) was the association president.

1988, September -

The program days were formally extended to include dinner, following the precedent set by the first class. This allowed the program topic dialogue to continue into the evenings.

1989 -

The Alumni Association was transitioned back into Leadership Washington, and bylaws were restructured to expand the representation on the Board of Directors to include graduates of the LW program. Along with these changes, the position of volunteer president of the Board of Directors was created; the president would be a graduate of the LW program and would work with the chair to lead the organization.

1989, July -

Breakfasts at Herb’s on Rhode Island Ave. began as a consistent way for Leadership Washington members to reconnect. As guest speakers were incorporated into the programs, it evolved into the Dialogue with Leaders series.

1990 -

LW won the first of its Grand Awards from the National Association for Community Leadership: recognition was given for program brochures, alumni directories and newsletter design and content.

1990, February 13 -

The first Member Dinner was held. Member Dinners allow members to gather intimately at the home of another member for a nice meal, great conversation and reminiscing over class year experiences.

1992 -

LW was instrumental in starting the Greater Washington Leadership Coalition, an association of regional community leadership organizations.

1994, November 15 -

The first Annual Leadership Washington Awards Dinner was held. Lyles Carr ('87) received the Volunteer of the Year Award; Gail Berendzen ('94) received the Founders’ Award for creation of the Women of Washington organization. AT&T/Greater Southeast Healthcare System received the Partnership Award for the development of the Ward 8 Initiative, which provided at-risk youth with comprehensive outreach services.

1994 -

LW held the first of two Homecomings. These days of learning were created to mimic program year topics for graduates in order to continue their exposure to regional issues and events. Bob Johnson of BET was the first speaker in this series.

1994 -

LW undertakes two-year strategic assessment out of which LW changed its official classification from an educational foundation to a membership-based organization.

1995, October 6 - 10 -

LW hosted the annual conference of the National Association for Community Leadership in DC, drawing over 1,000 attendees from as far as Canada, Great Britain and Australia. Carole Thompson Cole ('88) chaired the conference planning committee.

1996 -

The LW program year experience was broadened to include the addition of small study group projects as requirements for graduating from LW.

1996, June -

LW membership reaches 500.

1998, October -

First Annual Renewal Weekend held at Rocky Gap in Cumberland, MD. The planning committee was co-chaired by Patricia Mathews ('88) and Skip McKoy ('92).

1999, April 29 -

LW hosted 100 days in office luncheon for Mayor Anthony Williams ('98)

1999, August 16 -

Current President and Executive Director Tim Kime ('98) was hired.

1999, September -

www.lwdc.org was launched.

2000, July -

LW redesigns logo and creates new tag line: The power to lead. The power to change.

2000, September -

LW holds its first fall luncheon to celebrate 15 years of connecting select leaders from diverse backgrounds.

2001, May -

LW selects its 16th Class.

2001, June 21 -

Leadership Washington marks the end of its 15th year at Annual Meeting and looks to the future, with more positive change for the Greater Washington area in mind. The Class of 2001 graduates, increasing membership to 801.

2002, September -

Leadership Washington honors its members who hold or have held elected office in the region during its fall kick-off luncheon and introduces its 17th class, the Class of 2003.

2002, December 16 -

A new era launches for Leadership Washington as it moves into the "Greater Washington Collaborative" with the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Greater DC Cares and Junior Achievement. The new open space and high visibility location are designed to foster collaboration and partnering among these four powerful organizations and their influential members.

2003, April 30 -

The organization's 9th Annual Greater Washington Community Service Awards Dinner sells out. The event honors individuals and groups giving back to the community and is attended by such notables as Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele and DC Mayor Anthony Williams (’98).

2003, June 26 -

Leadership Washington 2003 Annual Meeting gives members a year with lots to celebrate including the graduation of the Class of 2003, increasing membership to 905 top community leaders.

2004, July 1 -

Leadership Washington elects Michael Rogers (’00) as Chair of the board.

2005, April 28 –

Leadership Washington’s 11th Annual Greater Washington Community Service Awards Dinner is held at the Ritz Carlton and is the organization’s most successful fundraising event in its history.

2005, May –

Leadership Washington selects its 20th class. The organization’s board of directors approves an aggressive strategic plan which strategically shifts and expands its focus on the membership making the class program year the initial, first part of the experience leading up to being an active member.

2005, June 23 –

To reflect the regional focus of the organization, the name is changed to “Leadership Greater Washington.” Michael Rogers is elected to serve an unprecedented second term as board chair.

2005, July 1 –

The start of the 2006 program year marks the 20th Anniversary of the organization.

2005, September 8 –

Leadership Greater Washington’s 20th class, the Class of 2006, starts their program year with its orientation and opening reception hosted by Bank of America.

2005, October 18 –

The Fall Membership Luncheon is attended by 450 members and guests who gather to officially launch the organization’s 20th year of connecting diverse regional leaders in order to improve the quality of life in the region. The Class of 2005 is inducted as members bringing the total number of members to 1,030.

2005, October --

New senior staff members Darlene Barkley (Events Manager) and Ian Lindsay (Financial & Administration Manager) join LGW as part of a bold strategic direction.

2006, April 4 --

Leadership Greater Washington holds its 20th Anniversary Community Service Awards Dinner at the Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC. Chaired by Susan Pepper (’09), this event is attended by 740 top community leaders who celebrate the best of local community service. Among the honorees is Barbara Davis Blum, one of LGW’s Founders, who is honored as “Volunteer of the Year.” The event raises $285,000 (gross) for LGW, adding nearly $170,000 to the organization’s bottom line and is the most successful fundraising event in LGW history.

2006, April –

LGW’s 2006 Membership Directory and 20th Anniversary Awards Dinner invitation receive top honors by winning their categories in a national competition sponsored by the Community Leadership Association.

2006, May --

The Class of 2007, the organization’s 21st, is selected and is compromised of 55 top regional leaders.

2006, May 22 --

LGW’s 3rd Annual Golf “Tournament of Leaders” is held at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda, MD. This sold out event is chaired by Chris Pirtle (’05) and nets $27,000 to add to LGW’s bottom line, the most successful to date.

2006, May 27 --

At its final board meeting of the FY 2006 program year, the board of directors approve putting $50,000 in a reserve fund; this is the first time in the organization’s history that it has been able to do so.

2006, June 9 --

The Class of 2006 completes the first part of its members, the initial program year. This brings the LGW members up to 1,082.

2006, June 22 –

Held aboard the Odyssey, the 2006 Annual Meeting & Annual Celebration is attended by nearly 150 members and guests who hear about the organization’s many successes as well as farewell remarks from outgoing Board Chair Michael Rogers. Shirley Edwards (’98) is elected as board chair for FY 2006-2007 with John Butler (’97) as Chair Elect.

2006, October 25 –

LGW’s 2006-2007 program year is launched during its Fall Membership Luncheon attended by 550 members and guests. The Class of 2006 is inducted as members along with the Youth Leadership Class of 2006. Ten area organizations that support youth are honored. Envision Greater Washington is the focus of the morning’s “Legacy Forum” coordinated by the Class of 2004 and attended by 80 top leaders.

2007, March 29 –

The Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction move to a new location, the Mandarin Oriental Washington, DC. Over 720 leaders attend the event to salute outstanding examples of community service. Maxine Baker and Michael Rogers are among the honorees. The dinner and silent auction generate more funds for LGW than any other effort in the organization’s history.

2007, June 8 –

The Class of 2007 completes its initial phase of membership---the class program year---during its closing retreat at Harbourtown in St. Michael’s, MD. Fifty-two leaders comprised the class.

2007, June 27 –

The 2007 Annual Meeting & Annual Celebration, held on the Odyssey, is attended by nearly 150 leaders who gather to celebrate the year’s many successes. Outgoing Chair Shirley Edwards (’98) is lauded for her leadership. John Butler (’97) is elected as board chair for FY 2007-2008 with Tom D’Amato (’97) as Chair Elect.

2007, September 6 –

The Class of 2008, LGW’s 22nd, begins Phase I of membership when it gathers for its orientation and opening reception. Held at Halcyon House in Georgetown, the 53 members of the class meet officially for the first time.

2007, October 25 –

The Fall Membership Luncheon is held at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The Class of 2007 is formally inducted as official members. Chair John Butler serves as emcee of the event, his first official public role. Nearly 600 members and guests gather to network and launch the 2007-2008 program year.

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