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Haslam helps Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership launch new Leadership Tennessee initiative

Kim Chaudoin | 

Lipscomb University’s Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership announced Wednesday, Feb. 6, the launch of Leadership Tennessee, its latest leadership education program designed to cultivate a network of business, nonprofit, education and government leaders who are committed to addressing the state’s challenges and opportunities.

Leadership Tennessee
Linda Peek Schacht, ICL executive director
Leadership Tennessee
Governor Bill Haslam
Leadership Tennessee
Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry
Leadership Tennessee
Cathy Cate, Leadership Tennessee executive director
Leadership Tennessee
Tom Ingram, ICL leader-in-residence
Leadership Tennessee
Panel of leaders from across Tennessee
 
 

“For the past two years, the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership has made an impact on Middle Tennessee as it has built on the legacy of Nashville leader Nelson Andrews by engaging emerging and current leaders from government, business and nonprofit sectors in programs to create thriving communities by collaborating together for the common good,” said Lipscomb University President L. Randolph Lowry.

“Nelson Andrews helped create successful local leadership programs. His family chose Lipscomb University to be the institution to expand his vision of collaborative leadership to the state and beyond. So, it is very fitting that the newest initiative from the institute that bears his name is leading the way with the development of Leadership Tennessee. It’s another way the Andrews Institute is making an impact on the community.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam helped launch the initiative at a gathering of leaders from across the state. He said that Leadership Tennessee will enhance collaboration on the state level.

“I congratulate the Andrews Institute on the launch of Leadership Tennessee,” said Governor Bill Haslam. “This unique initiative will create new partnerships that will improve communication statewide and will bring focus to the needs of Tennessee and its citizens. I look forward to seeing the process unfold and the ideas that develop.”

“It’s appropriate that an initiative such as Leadership Tennessee is housed at Lipscomb University. I love its vision for how a university can be involved in the community. You have to have the right people behind a program like this and I believe that is happening here. The number of people associated with the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership who have been leaders beyond their own sphere is really amazing. The key is that this is a statewide initiative, and I personally think we will be a much better state because of that.”

Tom Ingram, Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership leader-in-residence, agrees.

“I am excited about the potential this initiative has to make a positive difference for the entire state of Tennessee,” said Ingram, longtime advisor to corporate and government officials. “Our vision is that this program will represent middle, east and west Tennessee across all sectors.”

Leadership Tennessee is a natural outgrowth of the work of the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership.

“The guiding principle of the Andrews Institute is that great communities are intentional, not accidental. Great states are intentional, not accidental,” said Linda Peek Schacht, Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership executive director. “When we bring leaders together from the private, public and nonprofit sectors to work together for the common good, communities can change. Leadership Tennessee extends statewide this collaborative leadership model, based on the idea that informed, committed citizens can find common ground and make common cause to address the challenges and opportunities facing a community, region or state.”

Leadership Tennessee is a 10-month program that will provide collaborative learning and dialogue spanning the state’s three grand divisions, issue specific education for demonstrated leaders, a diverse representation of participants and opportunities to affect change. Participants will include key leaders in the business, nonprofit, education and government sectors.

“Citizens with demonstrated community and professional leadership from every region of the state will bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to an in-depth exploration of the complex issues facing Tennessee, with a focus on how leaders can collaborate to effectively address them,” said Cathy Cate, executive director of Leadership Tennessee and director of community leadership programs for the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership.By including leaders from across the state and examining issues and challenges they face, we hope to erase the borders of the three divisions and develop an opportunity for these leaders to work together collaboratively.”

Cate said the program is also designed for participants to experience the unique cultures found throughout Tennessee to help foster a “deeper understanding of and appreciation for each other and the context for the issues, challenges and opportunities for building stronger communities.”

The Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership offers a Master of Arts in Civic Leadership, one of only two in the nation. Its signature community programs, produced with local, regional and statewide partners, include citizen leadership academies on critical issues, community leadership programs, customized leadership development and online resources. Leadership Tennessee is the latest of its initiatives designed to develop strong communities.

The program’s inaugural class will be announced in May following a nomination and application process. Classes begin in September. Cate said the cohort will meet together five times in addition to participating in other activities, research and projects throughout the program.

Initial founding partners include Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville, AT&T Tennessee, Hyde Family Foundations, PILOT Corporation and the Haslam Family Foundation. The program’s founding board of directors includes Lowry, chair; Schacht, and Ingram, longtime political advisor and campaign manager.

For more information about Leadership Tennessee visit www.leadershiptennessee.org or contact Cathy Cate at 615.966.5180 or cecate@lipscomb.edu.