Best Party Ever

2023 Event Photos Donate to Scholarships Sponsor

Best Party Ever is the annual celebration of new graduating classes from Essential and Emerge – Leadership Austin’s flagship programs. It is the annual celebration of all things Leadership Austin – alumni, faculty, community partners and you. It is the largest fundraiser for the Leadership Austin scholarship fund, out of which more than $100,000 is awarded every year. We are looking forward to gathering together on April 29th from 7:30-10:30pm at the Thinkery. Don’t forget, we added a theme this year: Adult Field Trip! Grab comfortable clothes and your cohort mates (we’ll provide the lanyard) and join 500 other alumni and community members for a night to remember that includes:

Adult Arts & Crafts
Live DJ set and Silent Disco
Adult lunchables, upscale PB & J’s, Gourmet Mac & Cheese Bar and more by Flavor Co.
Candy & Popcorn Bar
Fun sips (and slurpees!), including the Leadership Austin signature cocktail – The 1979
A fabulous raffle and, of course, the Famous Donut Wall
Quiet room, Class meetups and more!

2023 Best Party Ever Photos

2022 Best Party Ever Photos

Past Best Party Ever Chairs |

2023 Susana Carbajal and Teresa Ravet Carbajal
2022 Deirdre Walsh and Emilie Kopp
2020 Rudy & Melissa Garza I Chris & Kellie Szeliga
2019 Matt and Christie Curtis
2018 Karen Kahan and MariBen Ramsey
2017 John-Michael Cortez and Priscilla Cortez
2016 Mike and Shannon Meroney
2015 Jean LeFebvre and Pete Gasper
2014 Toya Haley and Laura Merritt
2013 Toya Haley and Cathy Casey
2012 Carolyn Schwarz and Ted Burton
2011 August Harris and Terri Broussard
2010 Amber Carden and Melanie Ridings
2009 Michael Kellerman and MariBen Ramsey
2008 Brenda Thompson and Brian Dolezal
2007 Kerri Qunell and Jed Buie
2006 Cathy Casey and Patty Hayes Huffines
2005 Cindy Lafrance
2004 Kristi Willis
2003 Natalie Kennedy
2002 Kate Brown