Leadership Alabama

Leadership Alabama is absolutely thrilled to welcome Kate Mann to the team as the new ALI (Alabama Leadership Initiative) & Membership Engagement director.  She has been committed to serving others throughout all her philanthropic and career paths, always keeping her focus on the welfare of others, so she will be a valued addition to our mission and work as LA continues to challenge, motivate and engage our state’s proven leaders.

Kate is a native of Florence and graduated from the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  Following graduation, she moved to New York City to begin her teaching career while earning a Master of Education degree from Relay Graduate School of Education.  She taught elementary school in both charter and independent schools, experiences that strengthened her passion for leadership, collaboration and creating opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.  Kate was also an active member of the New York Junior League.  While attending Ole Miss, she was the founding coordinator of the Florence YMCA’s Trax4Max race, which created awareness and raised funding for serving children and families in the local community.

We are so excited that Kate is returning to her home state to join the Leadership Alabama team, where we know she will excel as the leader of ALI, a program for emerging leaders that brings together young leaders from across the state to participate in a microcosm of LA’s signature program for established leaders.  And, we know her family is equally excited for her to be in Alabama, especially her father, Andy Mann (LA Class XXV), who has been actively involved for many years with LA in various leadership roles and who is a new LA board member for the year 2026-27!

Feel free to welcome and/or reach out to Kate through her email katemann@leadershipal.org. Her full bio can be found on our website https://leadershipal.org/about-us/staff/.

Coming soon…

August –

• LA Class XXXVI Announcement / Press Release
• ALI Class IX Selection

September –

• LA Regional Receptions / Luncheons across the state to welcome Class XXXVI members and meet Kate Mann
• ALI Class IX Announcement / Press Release

Click here to play a video recap of Class XXXV’s Birmingham Retreat.

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ALI CLASS IX Nominations are OPEN!

Nominations are officially open for Alabama Leadership Initiative Class IX!

As we enter the ninth program year of the ALI, we are highly impressed with the members of each class thus far. The relationships, conversations, and experiences created and shared throughout the program year continue to increase the dynamic group of Initiative members around the state. It’s time to nominate and select the next group of young professionals and emerging leaders from across Alabama.

ALI applicants should be between the ages of 25 and 40 and demonstrate leadership and commitment both professionally and within their communities. Each class is intentionally limited to 50–56 participants to create a highly engaging and connection-driven experience.

The ALI nomination period is open now and closes on June 20, 2026. At that time, selected nominees will be invited to complete an ALI application. Later this summer, the ALI Selection Committee will meet to review applications for Class IX. Scholarship assistance is also available for participants with financial need.

Class IX Session Dates
Session 1: November 4–5, 2026
Session 2: February 3–4, 2027
Session 3: April 7–8, 2027

Learn more about the Alabama Leadership Initiative here!

Click here to nominate an emerging leader for ALI Class IX!

Leadership Alabama members, you are incredible, supportive and generous!

Leadership Alabama is extremely grateful to the 679 members who paid dues, many making an additional gift, during last year’s fiscal year!  Without question, our organization sets the standard among other national statewide leadership programs for how many members actively pay dues each year, and we continue to be overwhelmed and profoundly appreciative of your steadfast investment and engagement in everything we do.

Due to your ongoing support, we continue to expand LA retreat programming and ALI class experiences, to offer more regional activities and to include more LA class participants as the number of applicants significantly increases each year, all while maintaining a very streamlined budget and remaining mindful stewards of your gifts.

A new fiscal year recently started, so it’s time to respectfully ask you to submit your $175 dues and contributions for this fiscal year of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Since establishing the category of donors who contribute $500 or more through their dues and contributions – Gold Circle Donors – the membership in this category increases every year.  Three years ago, 197 of you gave at this level, two years ago it was 205, and last year, there were 217 members!

You can make an immediate and secure payment online simply by utilizing the pay online button below.  Or, if you prefer a printed invoice for mailing a check, please click the invoice button.  Simply print and mail with your check to Leadership Alabama, P.O. Box 131394, Birmingham, AL 35213.

Click here to pay your dues online!

Click to print an invoice to mail dues!

Thank you!

And, in case you missed the recent news about LA, please click on the buttons below to read about Leadership Alabama’s upcoming Class XXXV and the article highlighting the fabulous 35th anniversary celebration at the Grand Hotel this past August!

Class XXXV Announcement

35th Anniversary Recap

LA Polo, Tee, Hat to purchase

Coming soon…

• Regional Welcome Events Recap
• Class XXXV’s Opening Retreat Recap

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“Leadership Alabama’s long-standing mission is to facilitate strong partnerships and alliances for the good of our state, and Class XXXV, as with all previous classes, is comprised of outstanding leaders who will continue to effectively lead Alabama’s growth and innovation,” expressed Michael Patterson, Leadership Alabama’s board chair. 

The program year will launch on Wednesday, October 15, in Montgomery and continue through May of 2026. During the year, the class will also convene in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile, where it will hear challenging presentations and participate in class discussions that encourage critical, thoughtful assessments of our state and its issues – both challenging and successful – while learning of some extraordinary initiatives that are addressing those issues.

Ashley Kaplan, executive director, added, “Alabama always benefits from the collective actions and initiatives borne by this proven group of leaders, and once again, it is an honor to assemble such an esteemed and diverse cohort of passionate and experienced professionals from throughout all regions in Alabama.”

We look forward to welcoming LA Class XXXV members at regional luncheons and receptions across the state next month. Be sure to watch your email for an invitation to join us in your area!