Christopher Kennedy, CEO of Leadership Austin, wins Greater Austin Business Award for executive leadership

A local CEO has been recognized by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for strengthening the company’s brand and igniting passion in the community.

Christopher Kennedy, CEO of Leadership Austin, received the Wells Fargo Executive Leadership Award. The accolade, a category of the Greater Austin Business Awards program, recognizes presidents and executive officers for devoting time and energy to strengthen and transform the organization they lead.

Under Kennedy’s tenure, Leadership Austin has seen record attendance at events including monthly Engage breakfasts, alumni engagement offerings, and increased volunteerism in the community. Alumni who graduate from Leadership Austin’s programs feel more effective at building relationships (91 percent) and more aware of Austin’s issues (92 percent).

“I am so humbled to win this year’s executive leadership award,” he said. “As a former Board Chair and now CEO of Leadership Austin, it’s a blessing to continually be able to give back and make a difference in the community I love. I hope that my passion has fueled excitement and sparked courage into the lives of many to share their voice to tackle some of the most pressing issues in the region. It’s only through dialogue that we will begin to understand each other.”

A passionate advocate of the Central Texas region for 20 years, Kennedy has served on many boards and pushed the envelope on tough issues that overwhelmed the region. Most recently, Leadership Austin is looking for collective impact models by partnering with the City of Austin, Austin Independent School District, and Capital Metro to form Conversation Corps. In addition, Leadership Austin is leading a six organization alliance with the RGK Center, Annette Strauss Institute, KLRU, KUT and Austin Community Foundation to increase civic engagement in our community. We all strive to increase community dialogue and continues to expand in the region.

Kennedy currently serves on the Communities School Board as chair, on the St. Austin Catholic Parish Development Committee as chair, is a community advisor to Austin Young Chamber and the Junior League of Austin, and a member of the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO).

For more information on Leadership Austin, visit their website here.

Pictured (left to right): Leadership Austin Board members Shuronda Parks, Brian Dolezal, Debbie Johnson, Toya Bell, Ali Khataw and Amber Carden pose for a picture with Christopher Kennedy (center), CEO of Leadership Austin, after winning the Greater Austin Business Award.