Leadership Kentucky

Home
United States
Frankfort, KY
Leadership Kentucky

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

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 activities 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.

10/07/2026

Are you, or someone you know, an emerging leader looking for new and impactful ways to make a difference in your community? If so, submit an ELEVATE Kentucky 2027 Interest Form TODAY!

Applications are now OPEN, and you don't want to miss out on three months that will change your trajectory!

Visit www.leadershipky.org to LEARN MORE!

10/06/2026

The woman. The leader. The LEGEND!

Join us ONE WEEK FROM TODAY for Commonwealth Conversations to hear all of Helen's Leadership Kentucky stories! Well, maybe not all of them. 😉

Visit www.leadershipky.org to REGISTER!

10/03/2026

The story of Paducah is, in many ways, the story of the river.

On Leadership Kentucky's final day, participants discovered how Western Kentucky's waterways fuel economic growth far beyond the region's borders. The morning began at The Seamen's Church Institute, where leaders learned about the critical role mariners and inland waterways play in America's supply chain. During a presentation by Deb Calhoun of the Waterways Council, participants gained a new appreciation for the vast network of rivers that quietly moves commerce throughout the nation. They then stepped into the role of river pilots themselves through hands-on towboat simulator training.

The exploration continued at the Ingram Marine Group Training Facility, where participants saw firsthand how the nation's leading inland waterway carrier invests in workforce development and safety. Later, a quick look at the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority with Jim Garrett illustrated why Paducah remains one of Kentucky's most strategically important logistics hubs.

The session concluded with community leaders who help tell Paducah's story every day. During lunch, Alyssa Phares of the Paducah Convention Center and Sandra Wilson, President and CEO of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and Paducah Mayor Pro Tem, shared how collaboration, vision, and community pride are driving the region forward.

Over three days, participants encountered the people who feed Kentucky, educate Kentucky, protect Kentucky, and power Kentucky's economy. From the farms of Murray to the halls of Murray State, from Eddyville's correctional professionals to the maritime and civic leaders of Paducah, the experience revealed a region rich with leadership, innovation, and purpose.

10/02/2026

Some leadership experiences change the way you see the world.

During their recent session, the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 spent the day at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville, Kentucky's oldest and only maximum-security prison. The visit offered an extraordinary opportunity to better understand the complex realities of corrections, public safety, accountability, and rehabilitation.

Beyond the stone walls and razor wire, participants engaged with professionals whose work often goes unseen by the public. Through candid conversations and firsthand observations, class members gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by correctional staff and the responsibilities entrusted to them every day. The experience encouraged thoughtful dialogue about justice, leadership, and the systems that serve our communities.

Leadership growth often comes from stepping outside our comfort zones and seeking understanding in places we may never otherwise experience. The day's visit to Eddyville did exactly that, providing lessons that will stay with participants long after their LKY experience is over.

09/30/2026

Leadership Kentucky 2026's session earlier this month began in Murray, where innovation and tradition work side by side to shape the Commonwealth's future.

At Scott and Shea Lowe's Lowe Farms, participants got a firsthand look at what it means to build a legacy from the ground up. As a first-generation farm family producing dark-fired to***co, watermelon, squash, and so much more, the Lowes shared a story that reflects the determination and entrepreneurial spirit found across rural Kentucky.

That spirit continued at Murray State University, where leaders explored the opportunities emerging from the university's growing impact on agriculture, veterinary medicine, and workforce development. From conversations with Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman, Founding Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Tara Joiner, Chair of Animal and Veterinary Science, to a tour of the Rudolph Equine Education Center with Katie Didier, participants saw how Murray State is helping address critical veterinary needs across Kentucky.

The afternoon provided an even deeper look into the university's commitment to service and innovation through healthcare simulations, speech-language pathology programs, and presentations from the nationally recognized MSU Speech and Debate Union. By day's end, one thing was clear: Murray isn't just preparing students for the future. It's helping prepare Kentucky for the future.

The evening concluded in the historic Pogue Library, where alumni, community leaders, sponsors, and participants gathered to celebrate the partnerships that make communities like Murray thrive. An exceptional highlight of the evening was a performance by EQ Blu, Murray State's premier mixed a ca****la vocal group under the direction of Dr. Christopher Mitchell.

09/25/2026

The final day of BRIGHT brought the conversation back to the heart of every thriving community: people.

Over the previous two days, participants had explored innovation, economic development, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and tourism. They had seen projects transforming communities and industries shaping the region's future. But the final day's conversations served as an important reminder that none of those investments matter without investing in people.

One of the most memorable moments came during a discussion at the Russell Independent School District, where participants heard directly from local students. The conversation centered on workforce expectations, community engagement, and what young people need to see in order to envision a future for themselves in Eastern Kentucky.

Young people want opportunities. They want strong schools, meaningful careers, vibrant downtowns, and communities where they can build a life. Just as importantly, they want to know their voices matter.

Throughout the session, participants also reflected on leadership, integrity, resilience, and the challenges communities continue to face. Conversations about organizational culture, substance use, community action, and personal responsibility underscored the reality that building a stronger future requires both optimism and honesty. It requires the courage to confront difficult challenges while never losing sight of what's possible.

As the BRIGHT Class of 2026 left Morehead and Ashland, they carried home more than lessons and ideas. They carried a deeper appreciation for a region filled with innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, students, community builders, and leaders committed to moving Eastern Kentucky forward.

09/24/2026

Some of the most powerful lessons from BRIGHT don't come from what is built. They come from what was reimagined.

As participants traveled through Ashland and Boyd County, they saw a region embracing a simple question: What becomes possible when communities see potential where others see limitations?

That spirit was on full display at Camp Landing, where a former shopping mall has been transformed into a destination for family entertainment, recreation, dining, and community gathering. What was once an underutilized space has been given new life, creating a place where families spend time together, visitors stop and explore, and residents see continued investment in the community they love.

Participants also learned about major events and attractions helping reshape the region's identity, from Healing Appalachia and Rock the Country to the Boyd County Sports Complex and other efforts focused on tourism, recreation, and quality of life. These initiatives are bringing people together, driving economic activity, and giving communities reasons to celebrate what makes this region unique.

What stood out most was the optimism. Across every conversation, local leaders spoke not just about projects, but about partnerships. Not just about economic development, but about creating places where people want to live, work, and invest.

Ashland's story is not simply one of growth. It's a story of vision. It's a reminder that vibrant communities are built by leaders who are willing to look at familiar places and imagine something more.

09/23/2026

What does the future of Eastern Kentucky look like?

For the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2026, the answer came into focus over three days in Morehead and Ashland. It looked like satellites being designed and built by students. It looked like entrepreneurs growing businesses without leaving the mountains they call home. It looked like community leaders asking not what their region lacks, but what assets already exist and how they can be leveraged in new ways.

From the moment participants arrived in Morehead, there was a sense of momentum. Conversations centered on innovation, collaboration, and the belief that Eastern Kentucky's greatest opportunities may already be here. Leaders shared a vision for the region as a place where education, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, and strong partnerships intersect to create opportunity.

Throughout the session, participants visited places that challenged old assumptions. At the Space Science Center, they saw cutting-edge technology being developed right here in the mountains. At the Big Sandy Plant, they gained a deeper appreciation for the infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, and future growth across the region. Discussions around emerging industries like data centers highlighted the increasing attention Kentucky is receiving from investors and innovators alike.

The story unfolding in Eastern Kentucky is not one of waiting for opportunity to arrive. It's a story of communities recognizing their strengths, investing in their people, and building on what they already have.

09/12/2026

On September 12, 2001, what remained after the tragedy, loss, and grief was an overwhelming sense of compassion and service. In recognition of the unity that helped our nation begin healing, Leadership Kentucky is proud to announce a new statewide service initiative.

Over the coming months, Leadership Kentucky's regional chapters will work alongside alumni throughout the Commonwealth to identify meaningful service projects that address local needs and strengthen communities. These projects will culminate during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, 2027, when Leadership Kentucky alumni across the state will come together in service.

Please keep your eye on our socials and website for more information, as well as announcement of a very special partnership for the Compassionate Commonwealth Project!

09/11/2026

There are moments in our nation’s history, such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, and the Challenger explosion, that are marked by our memory of where we were when they happened. 9/11 was indelibly added to that list 25 years ago today. For those too young to remember and those born afterward, the impact of that day has stayed with this country and changed us forever. The events are discussed in classrooms, detailed in films and books, and remembered around kitchen tables in an effort to .

Leadership Kentucky, alongside the rest of the country and the Commonwealth, remembers the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives, the first responders and ordinary citizens who demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion, and the families and communities forever changed.

Although 25 years have passed, the importance of remembering has not diminished. September 11 reminds us not only of profound loss, but also of the strength found in service, kindness, and unity during one of our country’s most consequential moments.

Address

464 Chenault Road
Frankfort, KY
40601

Telephone

+15026951102

Website

http://leadershipky.org/

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:

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Frankfort?