On November 15, World Wide Technology Raceway hosted the Southwestern Illinois Leadership Council for a special preview of the annual WonderLight’s Christmas holiday lights-and-music spectacular.
Speakers included Kyle Anderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Council (above), WWTR CEO & Owner Curtis Francois, WWTR Executive VP & GM Chris Blair, and WonderLight’s Shannon Glover. More than 50 members attended the event.
About the Southwestern Illinois Leadership Council
Our Mission: Uniting the Region for Growth
Since 1983, the Leadership Council has been the premier organization fostering economic growth in Southwestern Illinois. The Council developed the first regional economic development agenda, and for over 35+ years, our organization has strengthened public/private partnerships throughout Southwestern Illinois to lay the foundation for job growth and retention.
As the years go by, our goal at the Leadership Council has remained the same in “Uniting the Region for Growth”. Southwestern Illinois is made up of a nine-county area, which includes Madison, St. Clair, Macoupin, Clinton, Monroe, Jersey, Bond, Washington and Calhoun Counties, and is the second largest population center in the State of Illinois. Southwestern Illinois represents over 700,000 individuals and ¼ of the St. Louis MSA, and is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
The Leadership Council is deeply committed to long-term workforce development in creating a talent pipeline of world class skilled, work ready and productive employees. To enable this process, the Leadership Council continues to take a leading role in coordination with strategic partners in building awareness of career options in Technical Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related fields through its Building Workforce 2030 program. Southwestern Illinois will continue to invest in youth and entrepreneurial businesses serving as the regions next group of leaders and workforce.
Investments involving Scott Air Force Base along with notable investments regarding our healthcare sector, and infrastructure remain a priority in Southwestern Illinois.
The Leadership Council’s membership includes over 250+ top executives and decision makers from the five sectors we unite, providing a level of diversity that makes the organization unique. Cooperation and collaboration among our members and local community-based organizations have in many ways helped reshape Southwestern Illinois – strengthening our infrastructure, protecting and enhancing our major employers, building consensus on key issues, and cultivating a positive labor-management environment. The Leadership Council fosters relationships on both sides of the river, recognizing that our efforts have an impact that affects not just Southwestern Illinois, but the entire St. Louis region. The Leadership Council is a 501(c)6 that is guided by a 17-member executive committee dedicated to moving our region forward. The organization’s work is supported by three full-time employees – an Executive Director, Executive Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, and a part-time Grants and Education Coordinator – along with membership volunteers.