Media:Facts

Press Release  |  Facts at a Glance  |  Region  |  History  |  Background

Facts at a Glance

• Leadership Asheville is a 25 year tradition.


• UNC Asheville and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce developed the Leadership Asheville program in 1982.  After a short period, Leadership Asheville was moved completely under the umbrella of UNC Asheville.


• There have been six Directors of Leadership Asheville since its inception.


• The current Mayor of the City of Asheville Terry Bellamy and her immediate predecessor Charles Worley are both graduates of Leadership Asheville 27.


• We estimate approximately 85% of the more than 900 graduates of the Leadership Asheville program still live in the area.


• Seventeen Leadership Asheville graduates have also graduated from Leadership North Carolina.


• Leadership Asheville never has been driven by quantity but rather more by quality experiences with lasting impact; however, here are some rough metrics to consider:

  Over 900 graduates
  Over 2000 speakers
  18,500 evaluation forms
  550 Leadership Asheville events

• Over 100 community service projects have been completed by participants in the Leadership Asheville program.


• As of 2006, there are more than 1,500 community leadership programs around the world.


• The study of leadership is constantly growing and expanding – as a result, Leadership Asheville is a member of several professional organizations: the International Leadership Association, the Association of Leadership Educators, and the Community Leadership Association.


• Leadership Asheville is an independent, non-partisan, non-aligned entity which now depends on financial support drawn from the corporate, public and community sectors.

**Everyone can and should exercise effective leadership, not just the person in charge**