Mission & Vision

Leadership Huntsville/Madison County identifies, educates and inspires leaders to serve our community.

The Leadership Story

Nationwide, the community leadership movement began taking shape in the late 1960s.  By the mid-1980s, there were two programs in Alabama, in Mobile and Birmingham.

In 1987, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County created Leadership 2000, chaired by The Huntsville Times publisher, William Cooper Green.  Leadership 2000's purpose was to develop current and future leaders for our community, and its slogan was "The future belongs to those who shape it." 

 In the 1990s a steering committee began to serve as a board of directors for Leadership 2000, and the Alumni Association was created.  By the mid-1990s, Leadership's first part-time director and dedicated staff was hired.  And as the program grew, the board decided by the late 1990s it was time to hire a full-time director and dedicated assistant.  Growth continued, and the Inside (now Focus) and Youth (now Challenge) programs were launched. 

With the turn of the millennium, Leadership responded to the the community's growth and created the Connect and Impact programs.   

Today, there are more than 1,000 programs across the U.S. and an international Community Leadership Association.  In Alabama alone, there are about 50 programs. 

Through its 1300 program graduates, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County provides a continuing pipeline of educated and dedicated leaders who function as agents of change, which contributes to the continued growth and prosperity of our community and region.  

The Leadership Experience

Leadership programs provide monthly in-depth studies of specific topics as they relate to the community.  These sessions include site visits, tours and interactive programs that provide participants with a better understanding of community issues and a greater appreciation of community resources.  Team building exercises and personality assessments round out the program.

In addition, participants discuss elements of exemplary leaders and apply those theories in community-wide impact projects during their program year.  Topics and themes on program days include:

Economic Base

Judicial/Law Enforcement

Local, State and Federal Governments

Health & Human Services

Education

Quality of Life

Sessions expose participants to a variety of perspectives, illustrating the broad array of economic, political, educational and social factors at work on all community levels.  Established community leaders coordinate each program and help class participants become more educated and more prepared for service to our community.

Leadership Benefits

Participants benefit both personally and professionally through their involvement with Leadership.

First, they become better informed about community needs and resources, which can help them guide their business or organization to become more engaged in activities which help the whole community. 

Second, class members are inspired to get more involved and to make a difference in the area of their "community passion."  By working with people from a variety of backgrounds toward a common goal, participants are given the tools and connections to pursue projects and causes which impact our community for the better. 

And finally, graduates have a new network of friends and colleagues.  After graduation, these connections serve to support community-wide initiatives and add a tremendous depth to our community.  In essence, Leadership prepares participants to be better citizens and leaders in our community.