Kathy Hartley, full-time president of Leadership Rhode Island for 15 of its 19 years, is resigning Dec. 31 to spend more time with her growing family. Leadership Rhode Island was originally founded in 1980 by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and the program was housed at the Chamber until it became an independent organization in 1997.
More than 900 individuals have gone through the Leadership Rhode Island program during its 19-year history. Each year a class of about 52 individuals are selected from business, non-profit and government to participate in the organization’s core 10-month program that explores issues pertinent to Rhode Island while developing leadership skills.
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During Hartley’s tenure, Leadership Rhode Island received numerous national awards and has been recognized as among the top five community leadership programs in the country. Hartley was called upon often to assist other communities not only in the United States, but also internationally. Great Britain, for instance, started a leadership program 10 years ago modeled after Leadership Rhode Island and now has 50 leadership programs throughout that country.
Last month, Leadership Rhode Island was selected as one of four programs worldwide to be a role model for an initiative to seed community leadership programs in every major city in Canada.
Hartley was honored with the first Preceptor Award in 1995, given by the National Association for Community Leadership to recognize outstanding directors of leadership programs. She served from 1986 to 1990 on the board of directors of the National Association for Community Leadership and hosted the national conference in Providence in 1988, bringing to the state more than 350 representatives of leadership programs nationwide.
“Having transitioned into an independent organization and having achieved the level of success and recognition that Leadership Rhode Island Rhode Island has, I feel that my job is done,” Hartley said. “With the 20th anniversary coming up in 2000, it’s a perfect time for a change.” The Board of Governors will conduct a search for Hartley’s replacement.
Hartley, a lifelong resident of Lincoln, said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family before exploring new career options.
