President's Address
Welcome to the Leadership Illinois website.
Leadership Illinois is an organization whose goal is to ENERGIZE, ENLIGHTEN and EDUCATE Illinois women so that each can be a catalyst for positive change. Over 300 women from across the state have graduated from the program and have experienced the benefits of membership. Since my graduation in 1999, staying involved on different levels has continued to make a difference in my life, not only in the personal and professional relationships that have been built, but also in experiencing the mission of Leadership Illinois throughout my personal and professional life.
In 1988 the founders of Leadership Illinois were inspired to create an organization for women in Illinois dedicated to the mission. In a time of constant change and comings and goings of organizations and companies, Leadership Illinois remains stable and strong as it continues to grow. This is truly a testament to our members who are not only dedicated to Leadership Illinois but also the commitment of having more women from Illinois share in and benefit from the experience.
In the fall of 2006 a planning session that included founders, board members, committee chairs and members was held in Pontiac to share ideas to strengthen and grow the organization. Many of those ideas were implemented throughout the year. We are using technology as a means of communication - we now have a quarterly electronic newsletter and are in the process of revamping our website. In November of 2007 the Executive Committee met in Decatur to further develop the strategy using the ideas from the Pontiac session regarding recruiting, membership, and development. The commitment to diversity in every aspect of the organization and the richness and content of the programming lends itself to a unique experience for each class. The conference schedule for the Class of 2008 is:
- Power of the Government (Springfield) – May 6th through the 9th
- Power of the Individual (Bloomington) – July 23rd through the 25th
- Power of the Marketplace (Chicago) – September 16th through the 19th
Sponsors play an important part in supporting Leadership Illinois. We have many, both large and small, that contribute either by in-kind or monetary donations. Some of these sponsors have benefited directly through their employees that are members of Leadership Illinois and others just believe in the mission.
I invite you to peruse the website as it contains a wealth of information about Leadership Illinois. If you are looking for a unique experience that will make a difference in your life, I hope that you will consider applying to Leadership Illinois and possibly becoming a part of an organization that includes some of the most dynamic women that you will ever know.
Karen Bergren
President
Leadership Illinois Class of 1999
