Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better.
-Bill Bradley, former U.S. senator
About The Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (SKL)
SKL is a program of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce designed to help emerging community leaders become more informed about the issues and needs facing central Indiana, more motivated to get involved in addressing those issues, more connected and more effective in their service to our community.
Our mission is to equip you with the knowledge and resources to become powerful agents of change in our community—to find your passion, broaden your horizons, and connect with the people who can make a difference in your life, today and tomorrow.
Through SKL, you will:
- Learn about the issues facing our community today, explore them
in-depth with current community leaders and discover ways to get
involved and help affect change.
- Meet the business and civic leaders who have made our community what it
is today—and can help you shape and realize your vision for what we’ll
become in the future.
- Glean insight into how to be a difference-maker in our community from
the community leaders and decision-makers who act as “faculty” for SKL.
- Develop positive and meaningful relationships with fellow class members
and the class moderator. They become not just contacts, but friends and mentors.
- Build a network of community contacts who will be helpful in your future community service efforts.
The SKL class year begins in September with an orientation and a two-day, out-of-town opening retreat. From October through May the class meets for monthly, full-day sessions around the greater Indianapolis area, providing class members an in-depth look at the pertinent issues facing our region. Class day topics include education, government, health and human services, the justice system, diversity, quality of life, economic development and more. In June the series concludes with a second out-of-town retreat and graduation ceremony.
Each participant is also requested to serve on one of three committees that work together for the duration of the series.
Selection Criteria
Applicants should:
- Be between the ages of 25 and 45.
- Have both a demonstrated interest in community issues and a record of
leadership and achievement in significant voluntary community
activities.
- Occupy a position of leadership reflecting significant achievement
relative to age and experience and providing the opportunity to have
significant influence on issues facing our community.
- Have lived in the greater Indianapolis/central Indiana area for three
or more years and have a likelihood of staying in the area for the
foreseeable future.
- Be able to commit to the attendance and time requirements.
The SKL Selection Committee selects 25 participants each year, striving to choose a group that reflects the community in terms of gender, racial, cultural and professional diversity.
Applicants must be able to commit to attendance at the orientation, both out-of-town retreats and at least 80% of the monthly class days, as these are mandatory graduation requirements. Time outside of the class days is necessary, including class day preparation, work on one of three class committees (class members will choose their preference) and optional social time. Time outside of class can range from five to ten hours per month.
Program Fees
The fee for selected applicants to participate in the program is $1200 and may be paid for by an applicant’s employer, sponsor, or by the applicant. Payment is made upon selection into the program.
Three scholarships are available to assist qualified applicants. Scholarships may cover full or partial tuition, depending on the needs of class members each year. Application for scholarships occurs at the time of application to the program.
- The Lacy Leadership Association Memorial Scholarship funds one or more motivated and committed individuals who may not otherwise be able to participate. Special consideration is given to those from non-profit organizations or government entities.
- The Lacy Scholarship funds one or more qualified individuals on a needs basis.
- The Edna B. Lacy Scholarship funds a building-based, professional educator in the Indianapolis Public Schools system.
The Stanley K. Lacy Legacy
A banker and vigorous participant in civic projects, Stanley K. Lacy had established himself as a recognized community leader in Indianapolis by his mid-20s. In 1973, Mr. Lacy’s life was tragically cut short by an automobile accident.
That same year his mother, Mrs. Howard J. Lacy II, established a foundation in his memory. In 1976, she worked with the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce to establish the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.
Funds from the foundation have since been channeled through the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce to underwrite the SKL series. The Greater Indianapolis Chamber manages and staffs the program.
For More Info
For more information about SKL, contact Linda Kirby, Program Director, at
lkirby@indylink.com or 317.464.2261.