Leadership Kentucky

Leadership Kentucky Our goal is to prepare our participants to take an active role in advancing the state for the common good.

Leadership Kentucky connects and inspires leaders to unleash Kentucky’s potential through four different programs: Leadership Kentucky, Elevate, New Executives to KY, and BRIGHT. Leadership Kentucky, created in 1984 as a non-profit educational organization, brings together a selected group of people that possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activit

ies to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. By fostering understanding of how the state’s issues are interconnected, and by forging new relationships among community and regional leaders, Leadership Kentucky graduates bring a fresh and informed perspective to their communities and companies, serving as important participants in the unified effort to shape Kentucky’s future. Through a series of seven monthly, two-day sessions, held in various locations in the state, participants are educated about the state of Kentucky and its challenges. They meet and talk with Kentucky’s current leaders and through a systematic educational program, explore the state’s opportunities, needs and resources. Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and its unique diversity are woven throughout the curriculum that features the state’s economy, education, health and human services, law and justice, and environment. In addition, Leadership Kentucky provides a thought-provoking experience focusing on the attributes of leadership and what it means to be a leader. By visiting various regions of the Commonwealth, the participants develop an enhanced view and a new meaning to the word community that spans the entire state. Leadership Kentucky strives to maintain a geographical, occupational, ethnicity and gender balance among participants. Leadership Kentucky is a 501C-3, non-profit educational organization dedicated to developing talents and energies of Kentucky’s present and future leaders. Our legal name is Leadership Kentucky Foundation, Inc.

Commonwealth Conversations is NEXT TUESDAY! Join us for an engaging edition of Commonwealth Conversations featuring Dr. ...
09/02/2026

Commonwealth Conversations is NEXT TUESDAY! Join us for an engaging edition of Commonwealth Conversations featuring Dr. Ryan Quarles, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), on Tuesday, September 8 at 12:30 pm EDT. In this discussion, Dr. Quarles will share insights on the innovative Re-entry Campus initiative, the critical role of workforce readiness in Kentucky's economic future, and his vision for strengthening KCTCS as a pathway to education, skills training, and career success.

Visit www.leadershipky.org to register for the Zoom today!

The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 continued to experience courage firsthand through time spent at Fort Campbell, hom...
09/02/2026

The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 continued to experience courage firsthand through time spent at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division. The Screaming Eagles are among the most deployed and recognized divisions in the U.S. Army, with a combat record spanning from the paratroopers of World War II to the Security Force Assistance Teams deployed in Afghanistan. Participants learned more about the Division from Col. Jeff Pickler before some of our daredevil class members took on the rappelling tower.

The group also spent time with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, the nation's premier night-fighting aviation force and its only special operations aviation regiment. These soldiers embody what it means to go further and faster under the fiercest conditions.

The class also got a behind-the-scenes look at Bowling Green's Whitson Public Safety Training Center. This multi-million-dollar facility stands as both a significant investment in public safety and a heartfelt tribute to the late Officer David Whitson, who gave his life in the line of duty. There, members gained a deeper appreciation for the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others.

These experiences reinforced an important lesson that courage is often found in service. It lives in the people who step forward when others step back, who run toward challenges that most of us hope never to face, and who answer the call because their communities depend on them. Their commitment strengthens our communities, protects our freedoms, and reminds us that leadership and service are inseparable.

Leadership Kentucky is deeply grateful to the men and women who have answered the call to serve in our United States Armed Forces and in police and fire departments across the Commonwealth.

The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 recently spent time in Bowling Green and Ft. Campbell, and experienced the many fo...
08/31/2026

The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 recently spent time in Bowling Green and Ft. Campbell, and experienced the many forms that courage can take.

At The IMPACT Center for Leadership and Innovation, students are preparing for the future through leadership opportunities and project-based learning, exploring their interests, solving problems, and discovering where their talents can take them. That kind of exploration requires courage, especially when the future doesn't follow a traditional roadmap.

Just six days after opening its doors to students, the IMPACT Center welcomed the Class of 2026. Principal Dr. Cody Rich and Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introduced participants to a learning environment built around innovation and possibility. While the facility itself was impressive, it was the students who left the greatest impression. Their stories, ambitions, and willingness to chart their own course offered a powerful example of courage in action.

Later in the day, participants met another group of young people who redefine courage every day. At The Center for Courageous Kids, children living with disabilities and lifelong illnesses are encouraged to try new things, build confidence, gain independence, and create lasting friendships. Their willingness to keep exploring, experiencing, and embracing all that CCK has to offer is a reminder that courage isn't the absence of challenges. Courage is choosing to move forward in spite of them.

Class member and CCK Senior Director of Camping Services, Jen de Ridder, shared stories of campers whose resilience, joy, and optimism make CCK the extraordinary place that it is. Through their experiences, participants witnessed a kind of courage that inspires everyone fortunate enough to see it.

From classrooms built around innovation to camps built around possibility, participants saw again and again that courage begins when people believe there is more ahead of them than what stands in their way.

BRIGHT Kentucky 2026 concluded their time in Adair and Russell counties focusing on a challenge every leader faces: movi...
08/26/2026

BRIGHT Kentucky 2026 concluded their time in Adair and Russell counties focusing on a challenge every leader faces: moving from planning to ex*****on. Throughout the session, participants explored purpose, collaboration, and stewardship. Conversations then centered on what it takes to translate those ideas into measurable action. The class heard how successful leaders communicate vision clearly, empower others to contribute, and create systems that support long-term success.

One of the most memorable moments came from the students of the Cumberland County Civics Club. Their passion, confidence, and commitment to civic engagement offered a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by age or title. Their example challenged participants to consider how often they create space for emerging voices and how much stronger communities become when different generations learn from one another.

The session concluded with a visit to Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, where participants saw firsthand how intentional planning, defined processes, and dedicated people transform an idea into lasting impact. The experience reinforced a lesson that had been woven throughout the week: organizations do not achieve their goals by chance. Progress requires vision, communication, collaboration, and consistent action. Leadership is not simply about imagining what is possible. It is about building the relationships, trust, and momentum necessary to make it happen.

New Executives is JUST ONE MONTH AWAY! Don't miss your opportunity to nominate a senior-level executive who has located ...
08/26/2026

New Executives is JUST ONE MONTH AWAY! Don't miss your opportunity to nominate a senior-level executive who has located to the Commonwealth within the past 2-3 years for this unique event.

https://form.jotform.com/252714507543153

As the BRIGHT Class of 2026 continued their time in Adair and Russell counties, their focus from vision to stewardship.A...
08/25/2026

As the BRIGHT Class of 2026 continued their time in Adair and Russell counties, their focus from vision to stewardship.

At the Lake Cumberland Area Development District, participants learned about the many ways organizations work behind the scenes to support communities across Kentucky and were reminded that many challenges are shared, regardless of geography. Those conversations sparked ideas about the power of building stronger connections, sharing resources, and learning from one another.

At Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and Dam, the class encountered examples of leadership measured not in months or years, but in generations. The hatchery demonstrated the importance of protecting and managing resources for the future, while the dam highlighted how decades of careful maintenance and institutional knowledge continue to support critical infrastructure today.

These experiences served as a reminder that leadership is often about caring for something we may not personally benefit from. Whether managing resources, maintaining infrastructure, or strengthening communities, the most impactful decisions are frequently those made with future generations in mind.

HUGE shout out to Big Daddy’s Eats and Treats for a delicious lunch down by the river! If you haven't been there yet, the peanut butter milkshake is can't miss!

The second BRIGHT Kentucky session began in Columbia with a question that sat beneath every conversation that followed: ...
08/24/2026

The second BRIGHT Kentucky session began in Columbia with a question that sat beneath every conversation that followed: before we decide where we're going, do we truly understand who we are?

Participants gathered at Lindsey Wilson University, State Representative Amy Neighbors, State Senator Max Wise, and Mayor Pamela Hoots shared a common message about the importance of collaboration. Their remarks reinforced a reality every leader eventually discovers: meaningful progress is rarely the result of one person's efforts. It takes people who are willing to work together around a shared purpose.

That theme continued as participants explored organizational identity, vision, and communication with Dr. Duane Bonifer of Lindsey Wilson. Conversations challenged the class to think carefully about how missions are defined, how they are communicated, and whether they are reflected in everyday actions. Through discussions and exercises focused on navigating difficult conversations, participants were reminded that leadership often requires stepping into uncomfortable spaces with curiosity, clarity, and a willingness to listen.

The day concluded in downtown Columbia at 313maple, where stories of revitalization illustrated what can happen when a community rallies around a vision and commits to bringing it to life. By the end of the first day, one idea had emerged clearly: leadership begins with understanding purpose, but vision only becomes meaningful when others can see themselves in it.

Do you know a New Executive to Kentucky? The 12th Annual New Executives is a can't miss event on Wednesday, September 30...
08/18/2026

Do you know a New Executive to Kentucky? The 12th Annual New Executives is a can't miss event on Wednesday, September 30th. If you, or someone you know, is a senior-level executive who has transferred into the state during the last two years, submit a nomination TODAY!

https://form.jotform.com/252714507543153

Each year, Leadership Kentucky presents New Executives to Kentucky, an immersive, one-day program for senior-level leade...
08/12/2026

Each year, Leadership Kentucky presents New Executives to Kentucky, an immersive, one-day program for senior-level leaders who have relocated to the Commonwealth in the past 2-3 years.

We count on our LKY family across the state to help us know who should receive an invitation for this free-of-charge event and we are asking for your help! Do you know a New Executive to Kentucky? If so, please submit their name, company, and email address via this form - https://form.jotform.com/252714507543153.

As a reminder, this program is complimentary thanks to our generous corporate partners. It is meant to be a fun day learning about ‘all things Kentucky’ and making new friends. Attendees will enjoy horse farm and bourbon distillery tours, an opportunity to interact with key government officials, meet Cabinet Secretaries, and hear from business and industry leaders!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Carrie at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

08/11/2026

LKY 2026 went to Louisville last month. Listen to the highlights and takeaways of the visit straight from members of the class!

Address

464 Chenault Road
Frankfort, KY
40601

Telephone

+15026951102

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Leadership Kentucky posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Leadership Kentucky:

Shortcuts

Share

Category