About LRI:  History

Leadership Rhode Island has long been a leader among organizations of its type. In 1981, there was only a scattering of community leadership programs across the United States, and today there are hundreds. As a result, LRI has been a model and acted as mentor to many other organizations like it. In addition, Leadership Rhode Island also recognized early the importance of incorporating technology into the workplace, and including respect for diversity in any leadership curriculum. What follows are highlights from LRI's nearly 30 years as a leadership organization making a difference in Rhode Island.

1979:  Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce initiates research on community leadership associations.  Proposal submitted to the Executive Committee of GPCC.

1980:  Leadership Greater Providence established as a project of the Chamber with a budget of $10,000 for the year, funded with grants from the Chamber and Rhode Island Foundation.  Promotional brochure solicits participation from leaders across all sections of the community.

1981:  Alpha class admitted; tuition is $500.  10% of the class are women.  The leadership program is one of 2 programs in New England, 28 nationally.

1982-84:  Alumni Association formed and holds 4 programs.  Dues are $10. Alumni newsletter created as a 2-page quarterly report.  Leadership Rhode Island incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization.

1985:  First David E. Sweet Leadership Award presented to John Foley ’81.  The award recognizes outstanding community leadership of a LRI graduate.

1986-87:  Tuition raised to $750; first overnight retreat held.  First year of promotional merchandise for LRI.  Updated operations from typewriter to computer.  LRI is one of 6 community leadership programs nationwide to be selected for inclusion in A Colorful Quilt: The Community Leadership Story.  A previously separate LRI Alumni Association becomes part of LRI.

1988:  Class size increased to 50+ (previous classes had 40-50 participants). 1st annual campaign (phonathon) held.  LRI hosts NACLO annual conference and NACLO board retreat with the theme “Leadership for Change,” dealing with diversity issues.  Alumni directory published.

1989:  Iota Class of 52 people has 50% women; percentage fluctuates between 35% and 50% over the next ten years.  Tuition is $1,500.  Combined program and alumni structure has a budget of $102,000.  Class begins mentoring program with inmates of women’s prison.

1991-92:  Tuition is $2,050.  Corporate sponsorship of session days begins.  LRI promotional video produced.  There are now 400+ community leadership associations around the globe.

1993:  First computerized database of LRI alumni completed.  Minority recruitment info session held to increase diversity of applicant pool.  Two awards from NACLO for LRI promotional materials, included in a “how to” kit for developing leadership programs.

1994-95:  Published first Annual Report.  Tuition is $2,500 and the Program Coordinator is a full-time position.  Alumni Speakers Bureau initiated.  Community LINC program proposed to RI Foundation to increase presence in the community.

1996:  Tuition is $2,900.  Leadership competencies incorporated to the program.  LINC expanded with a program coordinator.  LRI Awarded a planning grant from RI Foundation to develop neighborhood leadership program.  LRI separated from the Chamber and moved into independent office space.

1997-98:  3-year “21st Century Leadership” campaign initiated.  Tuition is $3,750.  Sigma class still has just under 50% women.  Awarded grant from RI Foundation for scholarships to minorities.  Received 3 national awards for excellence.  Chosen to mentor 3 other leadership programs as part of the Leadership Initiative of the Lilly Endowment.  LRI’s website created.  Leadership library developed.  Recruitment events conducted in various regions of RI.

1999:  Tuition is $4,900.  Class size increased to 55.  Women outnumber men for the first time.  LRI recognized with 4 NACLO awards, the most ever by a single organization.  One is for the website.  Worked with Providence College to get academic credit for completion of LRI Core Program.  Partnered with several other organizations for RI at the Millenium project at URI.

2000:  Kathy Hartley, LRI ’84, who was Executive Director of LRI for over 15 years, resigns.  Hartley and LRI’s “Founders and Catalysts” recognized for their contributions to LRI over the years at Scholarship Luncheon.

2001-02:  Research results in the Futures Report, later approved by the LRI Board of Governors.  The report calls for LRI to expand programs to enable participation from new populations in Rhode Island, such as college students, and to increase focus on alumni participation in Leadership Rhode Island activities.  New staff hired to support the expansion of programs and alumni activities.

2003-04:  LRI moves to 4 Richmond Square.  Leadership in Action Mentors added to Program Committee.  Emerging Leaders Program piloted.  Gallery LRI established at 4 Richmond Square office; first exhibit is hung in December.

2005:  LRI begins planning 25th anniversary activities and a research project to quantify its community impact.  Alpha II Class, LRI’s 25th class, has 65% women and 20% minorities as a result of targeted recruitment efforts.

2006:  LRI celebrates its 25th Anniversary, culminating with a gala on November 3rd. Offers a new program, Women's Leadership Series: The Political Process; 29 women graduate from the program and 3 later become members of the Gamma II Class.

2007:  LRI offers a Community Issue Forum in conjunction with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI. The half-day program is called Are Our Children Healthy Enough to Learn? The State of Rhode Island is named the first Well State in the U.S. by the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA), a project for which LRI partnered with the Worksite Wellness Council of RI.

2008:  The LRI Board of Governors adopts a communications plan for 2008-2009, which includes the creation of Leadership Surveys to gauge alumni perceptions and opinions on statewide issues. The board also engages in strategic planning and LRI moves to a new location, 1570 Westminster Street!