EVANSVILLE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
Leadership Everyone officially unveiled the exciting community initiative, Regional VOICE, on Thursday, 9/17, at Evansville Regional Airport. 130 people representing the five surrounding counties attended the impressive event in person, via Zoom, and through Leadership Everyone’s YouTube channel, reflecting the collaborative impact of this regional project. The hybrid nature of the launch was made possible by the work of EXTEND GROUP.
The innovative Regional VOICE project will reach Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick, Indiana counties; and Henderson County, Kentucky, tying all people and communities together through the preferred visioning sessions, culminating in strategic action for change. The launch highlighted the new virtual session created by EXTEND GROUP that can be utilized by individuals while COVID-19 mandates continue.
Joining Leadership Everyone CEO, Lynn Miller Pease, live at the airport were: Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Evansville, Indiana; Nate Hahn, Evansville Regional Airport; Christine Keck, Vectren, A CenterPoint Energy Company; Mike Shoulders, architect; Tara Barney, Southwest Indiana Chamber; Daniela Vidal, IvyTech; Sheila Huff, EVSC; Brad Schneider, Henderson Kentucky; Mayor Steve Austin, Henderson, Kentucky; Joel Hopper, Henderson Leadership Initiative; Amy Casavant, Old National Bank; and Greg Wathen, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana.
True to the novel nature of the project, Zoom was utilized to feature county support. Zoom participants included: Aaron Huff, EVSC; Dr. Ron Rochon, USI; President Pietruszkiewicz, University of Evansville; Dr. Jason Warren, Henderson Community College; Dr. Dempsey, Oakland City College; Ely Sena-Martin, Oakland City College; Amy Susott, Deaconess; Tim Hollander, Toyota; Kyla Dowell, IvyTech; Keith Rawley, AstraZeneca; Cindy Staples, AstraZeneca; Chris Wedding, AstraZeneca; Kathleen Irwin, AstraZeneca; Jenna Richardt, Posey County Economic Development Partnership; Mayor Bill Curtis, Mt. Vernon, Indiana; Dr. Matt Thompson, MSD Mt Vernon; Beth McFadin Higgins, Posey County Economic Development Partnership ; Lindsay Locasto, Downtown Henderson; Casey Todd, Hometown Roots; Marcus Hester, Evansville African American Museum; Mary Allen, Sixth And Zero; Erin Morrison, Flutter, The Refinery; Nicole Neff, Funxion Events; Heather McNabb, EVPL; Charles Sutton, EVPL; Abraham Brown, La Campirana; and Jeff Whiteside, Talent 2025.
Leadership Everyone CEO, Lynn Miller Pease, was thrilled by the turnout and excitement generated about Regional VOICE. “Today had an amazing energy and showed a commitment by so many to envision a preferred future for our region and work together to make it happen. Watch and share our launch on YouTube! Share your vision today on voicecommunity.org and share the link with all the people you know so they can participate in this great project.”
Call-to-Action
Go to voicecommunity.org to participate in this regional visioning project. Invite your circle of influence to share their visions too! The more people involved, the richer the information. All results will be aggregated into the Regional VOICE website under the Sessions tab for the community to view.
Quotes from Participants
Abraham Brown, Owner, La Campirana:
Yesterday morning I was humbled to have the honor of witnessing one of the most powerful displays of synergy and camaraderie that any region could dream of! Seeing the faces of so many Servant Leaders united for the same purpose is not only exciting but promising for the future of this great region. Regional Voice today had the most powerful kick off of any other initiative in the history of the Region! We are ready for a good start!
Tara Barney, President and CEO, Southwest Indiana Chamber:
Bravo for Regional VOICE. I’m so excited to share my opinions and to learn what others see as our region’s opportunities and needs. We have a bright future and one that everyone has a role in. VOICE gives us all a chance to hear and be heard. This morning’s launch was just a taste of what’s to come as we find new and fun ways to share our ideas with each other.
Sheila Huff, Director of Strategic Engagement, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation:
Regional Voice provides a platform from which ANYONE in our community and surrounding communities can have input and it be heard and considered with thoughtfulness and intent. That’s called: INCLUSION! When that happens, anything is possible!
