Leadership Lynchburg’s SHE WEEK Recognized with 2025 Excellence in Innovation Award
July 30, 2025Bold thinking. Responsive design. Meaningful community impact.
Leadership Lynchburg exemplified all three, and more, as the recipient of the 2025 ALP Excellence in Innovation Award, presented at this year’s National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
This annual award honors a community leadership program that demonstrates creative and impactful approaches to leadership development. Leadership Lynchburg was recognized for its groundbreaking SHE Week initiative and its transformative use of reverse mentoring to empower and connect emerging and established leaders.
A Program with Purpose
Launched in 2023 in response to a gap in summer programming for at-risk teen girls, SHE Week provides a dynamic and empowering experience. The program includes:
College tours and campus exposure
Personality and strengths assessments
Financial literacy education
Service projects and vision boarding
Daily mentorship and reflection activities
What truly sets SHE Week apart is its reverse mentoring model—a purposeful exchange of insights between teen girls and experienced female leaders in the community. Through structured conversations and informal reflection moments, these young participants offer their lived experiences, reshaping how local leaders understand leadership, mentorship, and the future of work.
“Leadership Lynchburg didn’t just create a program; they sparked a regional conversation and helped expand what leadership development can look like,” said ALP Executive Director Lura Hammond during the award presentation.
Measurable and Meaningful Impact
The SHE Week innovation has had a powerful ripple effect:
100% of participants said they learned something new and useful.
94% felt more supported as teen girls after engaging with community leaders.
90% expressed interest in returning to help lead the 2025 program.
SHE Week has also generated:
Increased engagement from Leadership Lynchburg alumni and volunteers
New funding streams and in-kind support
Elevated visibility and credibility across the region
Inspiring the Field
As part of their continued leadership, the Leadership Lynchburg team has presented the SHE Week reverse mentoring model to regional employers and HR leaders, including at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), sparking interest in how reverse mentoring can transform workplaces and communities alike.
Christine Kennedy, Executive Director of Leadership Lynchburg, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
“This recognition is a reflection of our entire community of women who show up, girls who dream big, and a team that believes in the power of leadership at every level,” said Kennedy.
Congratulations to Leadership Lynchburg for exemplifying excellence in innovation and leading the way toward a more inclusive, responsive, and inspiring future of leadership development.