About LGC

Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) is a nonprofit civic leadership organization founded in 1983 that has more than 900 alumni today.  Approximately 35 individuals from diverse backgrounds participate in the Fellows Program annually, representing business, civic, nonprofit and government sectors. The Fellows Program provides a foundation for a lifelong commitment to civic engagement by creating awareness of key issues facing the Chicago region and challenges leaders to bring about positive change in the community.

LGC is a partnership between

  • Fellows who participate in a 10-month program to study the challenges facing the region, and become part of a diverse network of leaders working to make a difference
  • Sponsors who nominate emerging leaders in their companies and organizations and give them the professional development experience of a lifetime.
  • The community, which contributes to educate Chicago's emerging leaders and benefits from their long term connections, knowledge and committed leadership.

Mission

Leadership Greater Chicago creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area. It accomplishes this mission by:

  • Building relationships characterized by respect, trust, and understanding among leaders who represent the diverse segments of Greater Chicago. Such representation includes race and ethnicity, gender, occupations, and the many communities of Greater Chicago;
  • Familiarizing these leaders with the multiple perspectives regarding Greater Chicago's challenges, opportunities, and resources; and
  • Actively encouraging and enabling these leaders to be involved in the Greater Chicago community throughout their lives.

History

In 1983, prominent civic leaders recognized that Chicago needed to nurture a new generation of leaders. Through The Chicago Community Trust, they launched Leadership Greater Chicago and its Fellows Program to educate diverse emerging leaders about the issues facing the region, connect them to each other, and mobilize them to make a deep commitment to the region.

In 1984, business, government and civic leaders nominated younger leaders to participate in Leadership Greater Chicago's first Fellows class. The founders designed a program that today retains their emphasis on

  • A diverse leadership mix
  • A quality education program that explores the various challenges facing the Chicago region
  • Strong connection with senior leaders from all sectors

Since then, more than 850 Fellows have participated in the annual 10-month program, and continue to come together in a network of leaders through the Leadership Fellows Association.