Leadership group establishes Baumgardner Award
The Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association presented the inaugural Julie Baumgardner Leadership Award in conjunction with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.
Julie Baumgardner, president and CEO of First Things First, is the first recipient of this award named in her honor. Baumgardner has chaired Leadership Chattanooga’s curriculum committee for more than 15 years, impacting more than 500 Leadership Chattanooga participants.
“When I became director of Leadership Chattanooga, I realized the curriculum needed updating,” said Diane Parks, director of leadership and community development.
“When I approached Julie, she enthusiastically accepted the position as head of the curriculum committee. So many graduates have served on the committee over the years, and Julie challenges us to take it to the next level with more leadership skills training and a focus on today’s hot topics.”
The Julie Baumgardner Leadership Award is the highest honor awarded by the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association, presented annually to an individual or organization with a compelling record of leadership and service in the community, who has made specific contributions to Leadership Chattanooga.
In addition to this honor, Baumgardner also is being honored June 7 as the 2017 Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year.