From the Beginning
1986
Leadership Washington was founded by 18 dedicated members of the Washington region and co-founded by the Board of Trade and the Junior League. LW was modeled after the successful community leadership programs of Atlanta and Philadelphia. Funding from the Meyer Foundation, IBM, and independent community leaders provided support for the start of the LW program.
1987, September
The first LW class began under the direction of John Tydings and Janet MacNamara Harrison. Steve Harlan chaired the organization.
1988, September
Program days were formally extended to include dinner, following the precedent set by the first class. This allowed the program topic dialogue to continue into the evenings.
1989
Bylaws were restructured to expand the representation on the Board of Directors to include graduates of the LW program. Along with these changes, the position of volunteer president of the Board of Directors was created; the president would be a graduate of the LW program and would work with the chair to lead the organization.
1989, July
Breakfasts at Herb's on Rhode Island Ave. began as a consistent way for Leadership Washington members to reconnect. As guest speakers were incorporated into the programs, it evolved into the Dialogue with Leaders series.
Connecting Leaders and Stimulating Change Since 1986
