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HISTORY OF LDC

The Leadership Development Center was incorporated in 1985 as a non-profit training organization. It was the creation and dream of Roger Kelley who became its first President. Six local organizations provided start-up funding: Bradley University, Caterpillar, Inc., CILCO, Commercial Bank, Fayette Companies and Multi-Ad Services Inc. Executives of these organizations served as the board members for LDC.

Our mission is to enhance the leadership and interpersonal effectiveness of managers, executives, other professionals and their teams. This mission is accomplished through a variety of training designs utilizing researched-based feedback tools to provide organizational leaders with new insights concerning their effectiveness.

LDC’s affiliations assist in accomplishing our mission. Since our inception LDC has been a network associate of The Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. CCL is an international, nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to advance the understanding, practice and development of leadership. LDC offers their workshops, utilizes their research and uses their 360-degree assessment tools.

Since 1991 we have also worked with SYMLOG® Consulting Group. This research organization is continuing the work begun by Dr. Robert Freed Bales. He initially developed the SYMLOG® model during forty-five years of research in the Department of Psychology and Social Relations at Harvard University. A major focus of his research was to better understand effective leadership, group dynamics, and superior team performance. The results of his research include a comprehensive theory of social interaction, a highly refined measurement system, and a set of precise tools for analyzing and improving effectiveness for people who live and work in groups of all sizes.

In 1997 LDC fully integrated into the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University. Bradley's highest priority is excellent teaching supported by research and scholarship. Faculty not only provides personalized attention in learning and academic advising, but also serves as mentors and professional guides to their students. LDC’s integration into Bradley University gives us the opportunity to work closely with faculty, while giving Bradley University another connection to the business community.

In 2001, LDC became an integral part of the inaugural EMBA class for the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University.  The Bradley EMBA focuses on leadership, as few institutions can, because of its unique affiliation with LDC.  This EMBA program is specifically designed to equip executives with decision-making skills to enhance their natural leadership.

LDC’s Executive Director is Lisa Stufflebeam, who can be reached at 1-309-677-4420 or lstuffle@bradley.edu.