Leadership Sandy Springs Wins 2019 National Innovation Award

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Leadership Sandy Springs (LSS) has won the 2019 Excellence in Innovation Award by the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP). Presented at the ALP’s National Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 19-21, and attended by nearly 250 leadership professionals from across the United States and Germany, the award honors LSS “for outstanding work in creating value and impact through innovative strategies." Specifically, Leadership Sandy Springs was recognized for its “creative and unique” Live Learn Lead program, one of LSS’ three signature events designed to enhance and strengthen community in Sandy Springs and the Central Perimeter area.

“Leadership Sandy Springs is thrilled to have won this prestigious national award and proud to be part of the ALP’s community leadership ‘Hall of Fame,'” said LSS Executive Director Jan Paul. “We’re also proud that Live Learn Lead, our annual speaker series, has become a forum for thought-provoking conversation that is valued by residents and our diverse business, nonprofit, and civic communities.”

LSS Program Director, Catherine Lautenbacher, who accepted the award for Leadership Sandy Springs, agreed, adding, “attending the conference is both inspiring and humbling.”

“You learn so much about all the amazing things other leadership programs are doing. We upped our game with Live Learn Lead in 2016, thanks to Dr. Jim Johnson, our nationally known guest speaker, who Jan and I met at the ALP Huntsville conference in 2015. We’re pleased if other programs can learn from us, too.”

“That’s exactly what ALP strives to do,” said ALP Executive Director, Lura Hammond. “We want to recognize excellence, foster innovation, share best practices, build networks with colleagues, and provide educational training and development to advance the effectiveness of community leadership programs and professionals.”

“You all are doing great things in your community and the award speaks volumes to that effort.”