EVANSVILLE, IN — January 29, 2026 — Leadership Everyone (LE) announced today that it will honor 138 nominees at the 31st Annual Celebration of Leadership (COL) on March 18, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Old National Events Plaza. The event is presented by CenterPoint Energy.

Celebration of Leadership is a community-wide recognition program honoring individuals, projects or programs, and businesses or organizations whose collaborative efforts strengthen and transform the region. Nominees are recognized across five categories: Arts & Culture; Community & Neighborhood; Education; Government, Public Service & Environment; and Health & Social Services.

For three decades, COL has been known for its breadth, diversity, and ability to inspire civic engagement. Since its inception, the program has recognized nearly 3,000 nominations and presented more than 900 awards,highlighting servant leadership in action throughout the region.

Nominees will be recognized at the March 18 ceremony, with award recipients announced live during the event. In advance of the celebration, nominees will also be invited to a special networking reception on February 22,offering an opportunity to connect, share their work, and celebrate alongside fellow changemakers.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, with complimentary tickets available as needed, no questions asked. Tickets are on sale now at col.leadershipeveryone.org.

Nominees

INDIVIDUALS

Arts & Culture

• Carol Dallinger

• Dick Engbers

• Dr. Leanne Hampton

• Sean Stone

Community & Neighborhood

• Olivia Alston

• Danny Barr

• Catie Catanese

• Cynthia Chester

• Leonard Collins

• Dr. Dan Diehl

• Jessica Ellis

• Markanthony Garcia

• Neal Hagan

• Susan Harp

• Terri Hartweck

• Joel Hopper

• Kyra Hoss

• Tommy Housman

• Cherri Johnson

• Jessica Knapp

• Eliza Kumapley

• Lynn Kyle

• Kelly Lanham

• Christine Leraris

• Dr. Austin Maxheimer

• Sr. Jane Michelle McClure

• Ashlyn McKee

• Tom Moore

• Jasmine Mouncil

• Kristie Randolph

• Gloria Schwartz-Mazo

• Amy Jo Sheeley

• Eric Tillman

Education

• Jamie Bandy

• Brian Bobbitt

• Rick Cameron

• Rebecca Coomer

• NaShayra Dilworth

• Niti Moore

• Sandra Moore

• Laura Nordine

• Brittney Welch

Government, Public Service, & Environment

• Abby Baumgart

• Payton Broshears

• Danielle Crook

• Emily Earhart

• Salah ElSadi

• Rian Kisner

• Tony Knight

• Ariah Leary

• Lieutenant Erik Nilssen

• Luke Nordine

• Christopher Norrick

• Chaze Patrick

• Chris Pugh

• Elizabeth Stuckey

Health & Social Services

• Jessica Beaven

• Nicole Brauser

• Brittany Henderson

• Cyndie Kieffer

• LaRissa Madison

• Keesha Medley

• Molly Mendenhall

• Lisa Myer

• Collette Smith

• Dr. Lois Welden

• Savannah Whicker

• Dr. Julie Wohrley

PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

Arts & Culture

• Children’s Center for Dance Education’s “The Children’s Nutcracker” Sensory Friendly Performance

• Never Forget, Never Again—Irene Rechnic Holocaust Story

• UE Dance Company’s Silver Aces

• University of Evansville Theatre’s Rogue and Peasant Aces Community Tour of MACBETH, by William Shakespeare

• Keep Rolling

Community & Neighborhood

• AstraZeneca Vitalize

• Avery’s Place

• Book Buddies

• ChangeLab in the EPN

• e is for everyone – Belong Here

• E3 Initiative

• Flavor Lab

• Foodie Friends Community Garden

• Garvin Park Activity Zone

• Jacobsville Bus Shelters Volunteer Effort

• Kyle L. Parker Memorial Scholarship Board of Directors

• Mexican Mobile Consulate

• MTV Neighborhood Garden

• The Newburgh Neighbors Program by Historic Newburgh, Inc.

• Posey County Ramp Team

• Presidents Neighborhood Association Food Insecurity Initiative

Education

• Baby Explorer Bundles

• EVSC IREAD Tutoring Program

• Gentleman’s Academy

• Gibson County CEO

• Helfrich Park STEM Academy Land Between the Lakes

• JA Evansville Regional Business Hall of Fame

• Junior Achievement JobSpark

• Marrs – AstraZeneca Community Collaboration

• New Tech High School STEM Fest

Government, Public Service, & Environment

• EVPL Historical Programming

• Vanderburgh County CISMA

• VHS Help for Heroes

Health & Social Services

• Granted House of Hope

• Henderson County Homeless Coalition & Daniel Pitino Shelter Partnership in Henderson County

• Karen’s Wig Shop by Chemo Buddies

• Pastimes: A Publication for Older Adults

• Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

• Suicide Prevention Coalition of Southern Indiana

• Vanderburgh County Health Department Condom Distribution Program

• VHS Margie’s Pet Food Pantry

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS

Arts & Culture

• Bosse Instrumental Boosters, Inc.

• Children’s Center for Dance Education

• Ohio Valley Art League (OVAL)

• The School of Ballet Indiana

• Victory International Film Festival

Community & Neighborhood

• American Legion Newburgh Auxiliary Unit #44

• Bedford Collab

• Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE)

• The Cox Group

• GOAT Escape Rooms

• Hair by Kyra Hoss

• Henderson KY Pride Inc

• Pet Partners of the Tri-State

• The Salon Professional Academy

• Tillman Bros Lawn Care

• Young and Established

Education

• AstraZeneca’s STEM in the Community

• SABIC/MVHS Internship Program

• Signature School

Government, Public Service, & Environment

• New Harmony Native Trees and Shrubs

• Newburgh Chemical Fire Response

• Retired Veteran Memorial Club

• Society for Advancement of Fatality Elimination on Roads (SAFER)

Health & Social Services

• Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

• ECHO Housing & Community Development

• Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc.

• Mustang Adoption Academy & Mustangs of Service Veterans Program

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley

• Southwest Indiana Recovery & Empowerment (SWIRE)