Did you know? Leadership Memphis’ original name was the Memphis Institute of Public Responsibility.
A Legacy of Leadership & Service
Leadership Memphis has been the cornerstone of civic engagement and leadership development in Memphis for 47 years. As we look ahead to 50 years, we are excited to continue impacting Memphis through connecting, training, and mobilizing leaders in service to Memphis.
Our mission is to prepare and mobilize leaders to work together for the good of the community. Our 4,300+ alumni are influential decision makers and high-impact leaders across city and county government, philanthropy, community and nonprofit organizations, and corporations.
We envision a healthy and thriving Memphis where all citizens have access to safe neighborhoods, quality resources, and robust opportunities.
Our Founding Story
In the midst of the malaise that enveloped Memphis following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lucius E. Burch Jr., a prominent Memphis attorney, foresaw a city that could produce a new generation of leaders to usher in a new attitude and honesty about race relations but also lead the city toward a brighter future. Following the lead of neighboring cities Nashville and Memphis, Burch was committed to founding an organization that brought diverse leaders together around a shared agenda of a healthy, thriving Memphis.
Burch called on Junior League President Kate Gooch and attorney Lewis Donelson to drive the conversation about a leadership organization, founded as The Memphis Institute of Public Responsibility – and what is now Leadership Memphis.
Our Inaugural Board and the Founding 42
Burch, Gooch, and Donelson sent a letter to 800 business leaders, calling on their support for the organization.
With 400 responses, the first class of Leadership Memphis was born with 42 members, including:
Vida Andersen, Frank Banks, Marty Belz, Ann Bennett, Lynn Bennett, Barbara Bisno, Howard Bragg III, Olivia Bruce, Terry Britt, Patty Calvert, Buddy Chapman, Shirlene Cosby, Gus Denton, Wilbur Hawkins, Aubrey Howard, Osbie Howard, Susan Jones, Barbara Lapides, B. Lee Mallory, Mark Matheny, Gail Mathes, Dwight Moore, Vicki Palmer, Ida Payne, Judy Peiser, John Pettey, Don Roman, Jack Shands, Mark Stansbury, Harold Thompson, Bob Towery, Melvyn Tuggle, John Vergos, Robert Wallace, Carl Walters, A. C. Wharton Jr, and Daniel Wilkinson.
The inaugural Leadership Memphis board included:
Lucius E. Burch Jr., Kate Gooch, Lewis Donelson III, Gwen Awsumb, D’Army Bailey, Edgar Bailey, Jack Belz, Clarence Day, Myra Dreifus, Dr. Willie W. Herenton, J. R. Hyde III, Fran Jones, Fred Lofton, C. R. Mason, Fred Smith, and Sonia L. Walker.
Governor-elect Lamar Alexander spoke at the opening dinner on December 13, 1978, in the shuttered Peabody Hotel, where diversity and inclusivity were established as an enduring focus for Leadership Memphis.
As we look ahead to 50 years, we are re-forging our roots, and reigniting leaders across sectors towards investments of their time, talent, treasure, and ties in support of a greater Memphis.
Leadership Memphis Presidents
Kate Gooch – (1978–1985)
Ann Knox – (1986–1987)
Ann Dillard – (1987–1992)
Marion Gruber – (1992–1995)
Ann Lewin – (1995–1997)
Pan Awsumb – (1997–2004)
David Williams – (2004–2020)
Reggie Crenshaw – (2020–2024)
Dr. Bobby White – (2024–2025)
Dr. Reginald Porter Jr. – (2025–Present)
Our Founding President, Kate Gooch
