How a Lean Nonprofit Reclaimed Time and Reduced Operational Complexity with Glue Up
Region Leaders is a mission-driven nonprofit founded in 2018 to develop civic leadership and regional collaboration across Northwest Indiana and the Chicago Southland. Its mission is clear: identify, equip, and connect civic-minded professionals who can help solve complex regional challenges.

The organization builds cross-sector leadership pipelines through cohort-based academies, civic engagement programs, and economic forums. It works with professionals from education, local government, business, and nonprofit sectors-helping them grow into effective leaders who strengthen their communities.

The nonprofit also convenes public discussions and leadership summits focused on regional priorities such as infrastructure, workforce readiness, and inclusive governance.

As programming and outreach expanded over the years, the administrative burden increased. Legacy systems created delays, fragmented data, and added unnecessary work for an already lean team. Instead of supporting growth, the tools in place slowed it down.