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For the 12th consecutive year, Commerce Lexington’s EMERGE Conference, presented by UK Online, will bring together emerging leaders across Central Kentucky for a full day of networking, engaging keynote speakers, informative breakout sessions, and discovering ways to better connect to and impact the community. An outgrowth of one of Commerce Lexington’s past Leadership Visits, the 2025 EMERGE Conference will take place on Tuesday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Central Bank Center in the heart of downtown Lexington.
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EMERGE is presented by:
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Opening Keynote: Matthew MitchellCommerce Lexington is pleased to announce that the Opening Keynote will be former basketball coach and successful author and speaker, Matthew Mitchell. His engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights will set the stage for success and leave you inspired to take action. From the basketball court to the boardroom, Coach Mitchell teaches growth-minded leaders how to build sustained success. Through his experience, genuine joy, sharp wit, and unyielding honesty, he shares the principles of the Winning Tools platform.
About Coach Matthew Mitchell
Matthew Mitchell is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, speaker, three-time SEC Coach of the Year and the winningest head coach in the history of the University of Kentucky women's basketball program. The foundation for his teams’ achievements is the Winning Tools principles - honesty, hard work, and discipline. Through Mitchell's focus on the fundamentals, he led the program to new heights―seven 25-plus winning seasons and UK’s first SEC Championship in 30 years. Mitchell now leads the Winning Tools leadership platform, sharing the proven value of these principles with executive teams across the country. |
Luncheon Keynote: A Conversation Among Business Owners
Raquel Carter, Owner of Guide Realty and MC of this years EMERGE Conference will lead a conversation with Bruce Drake and Brian McCarty, Owners of Bluegrass Hospitality Group. The ‘fire side’ chat will revolve around the ‘Ready to Win’ theme as all three individuals will share their success stories and discuss how each step in their career journey has prepared them for what’s next. How do challenges prepare you to win? How much does ones mindset position you for success? This conversation over lunch will answer those questions and more!
Raquel E. Carter
Guide Realty, Inc About Raquel E. Carter
Raquel E. Carter is the principal broker and CEO of Guide Realty, Inc. Raquel became a licensed REALTOR in 2002 and in 2008, left a larger real estate firm to open Guide Realty with her mother. Guide Realty began as a small, boutique office and under Raquel’s leadership has expanded to include a full staff and over 40 REALTORS® in Lexington and Louisville and a community-facing professional rental space, The Compass Center, making Guide Realty Kentucky’s largest African American owned real estate company. In 2020, Raquel was appointed to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission by Governor Andy Beshear, serves as Chair of LFUCG the Board of Adjustments and on the Bluegrass Realtors Government Affairs Committee. Raquel is also on the board of the Urban League of Lexington and Lexington For Everyone, a non-profit board established to promote jobs, homes and equity for all of Lexington’s residents. About Guide Realty, Inc.
GUIDE REALTY's vision is to be a transformative real estate company that adds value to our community through the promotion of home ownership, wealth-building and economic opportunity; to create an environment that educates, supports and encourages growth and success for our agents, clients and community partners; and to elevate our level of civic engagement by partnering with those that share our core values. |
Bruce Drake & Brian McCarty
Bluegrass Hospitality Group About Bruce Drake
Bruce is originally from Kentucky. After graduating college, he lived in several large cities but always found his way back. “You’d be hard pressed to find another city like Lexington. Take the rich history and culture of Keeneland and Lexington’s equine industry, add a bustling University and top that off with the world’s best bourbon all in a 75 mile radius of the city and you get a community full of people passionate about their home.” Lexington was the city of choice for Bruce and his wife Melinda to raise their three boys, Jack, Wade and Johnny Bruce. About Brian McCarty
Lexington, often referred by him as ‘Relaxington,’ is home to Brian and his family. From beautiful horse farms and walking trails to athletics, arts and live entertainment, Lexington has something for everyone. It is here he and his wife, Katherine, have raised their three beautiful daughters: Mary Katherine, Sarah Jane and Martha Lee. About Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Bluegrass Hospitality Group (BHG) was co-founded by Brian McCarty and Bruce Drake in 1998. The restaurant group includes 6 unique concepts including Malone’s, Malone’s Prime Events & Receptions, Harry’s, Drake’s, Aqua Sushi and OBC Kitchen. Located in Lexington, Kentucky are (3) Malone’s, (2) Harry’s, (3) Drake’s, Malone’s Prime Events & Receptions, and OBC Kitchen. Malone’s can also be found in Louisville, Kentucky accompanied by Harry’s and Malone’s Prime Events & Receptions, as well as Chattanooga, Tennessee accompanied by Harry’s. Drake’s restaurants are located in Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green, Danville, Elizabethtown, Florence, Nicholasville and Owensboro (Kentucky), Bristol, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Cookeville, Franklin, Knoxville and Murfreesboro (Tennessee), Jeffersonville, Indianapolis and Evansville (Indiana), Shiloh (Illinois), O’Fallon and Richmond Heights (Missouri), Burlington (North Carolina), and Huntsville (Alabama). Aqua Sushi is offered in each Malone’s, Harry’s and Drake’s location. Bluegrass Hospitality Group employs over 3000 team members. Though each concept is unique, the motto remains the same, “100% guest satisfaction, 100% of the time.” |
Breakout Sessions:
Harnessing Your Values to Fuel Your Leadership Strategy
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Traditional leadership development has focused on learning tactical skills to execute in one’s leadership role. The focus has been external, promoting “doing” as preeminent leadership strategies. The changes, challenges and shifts leaders are facing today demand a revised approach - an approach centered on his or her values, and how those values connect to their existing strengths. This session will reframe leadership development facilitating attendees’ discernment of their core values and how these translate into their leadership strengths and impact strategy. Peer support, executive coaching activities and group discussion will be included throughout this session.
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Amy Brin
Amy Brin Consulting |
You Can't Spell Improvement without Improv
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Leadership often requires thinking on your feet, adapting to the unexpected, and staying calm under pressure. In this session, participants will engage in fun and interactive improv exercises designed to sharpen problem-solving skills, foster creative thinking, and boost confidence in unpredictable situations. By the end, attendees will walk away with practical tools to approach challenges with agility and positivity.
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Jordan Campbell
Gateway Regional Arts Center |
Greater Lexington's Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Talent | Workshop
Dive into Greater Lexington's first talent attraction marketing campaign. Hear valuable workforce data trends, learn about the marketing strategy directly from the implementation team, and view the creative assets from phase one of the campaign. Attendees of this session will participate in a creative workshop, helping to guide phase 2 of the talent marketing strategy specifically focused on retention efforts..
Betsy Dexter
Commerce Lexington |
Brett Bibb
Commerce Lexington |
It's All About Culture
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Greg Gerard, MHA, President of Baptist Health Richmond will lead this engaging session. Known for his nearly 30-year career in healthcare and his dedication to fostering positive organizational culture, Greg will delve into the theme "It’s All About Culture!" He will share his insights and strategies for building exceptional teams and cultivating a thriving workplace culture that leads to outstanding care and success - Leading organizations on their journey to nurturing a positive culture as the fuel needed to achieve remarkable success.
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Greg Gerard
Baptist Health Richmond |
Leading with Integrity: Aligning Personal & Professional Values for Authentic Leadership
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In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, leadership is not just about achieving results - it’s about leading with authenticity and integrity. This presentation will explore how aligning personal and professional values is essential for fostering trust, inspiring teams, and navigating challenges with confidence. Attendees will gain insight into how leaders can create a strong foundation of ethical decision-making, cultivate transparency, and remain true to their values while driving organizational success. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, you’ll learn how authentic leadership can lead to sustainable success, build meaningful relationships, and elevate both individual and team performance.
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Stephanie Osborne Greene
Health Bridge Consulting |
Empowering Diversity: Unlocking Innovation Through Representation
This panel will explore the importance of diverse and inclusive representation in business, highlighting how empowering minority groups drives better decision making, creativity, innovation and growth. Larry Forester (Forcht Bank) will kick the session off by talking about Commerce Lexington’s support for minority owned businesses.
Daisy Brown
The Champion Therapy Center |
Lafe Taylor
Lexore |
Francisco Castro
The JCC Group |
Daryl Love
Bluegrass Care Navigators |
DevelopLex Live: Driving Community Growth through Infill Redevelopment
The DevelopLex podcast, hosted by Ross Boggess and Weston Lockhart, is central Kentucky’s premier platform for dynamic discussions on real estate development. In this live episode event, the hosts will be joined by Chad Walker and Seth Turner, developers behind two of Lexington’s most innovative and vibrant mixed-use destinations. Their discussion will explore the unique stories behind The Warehouse Block and The Commons, highlighting the use of infill redevelopment to enhance Lexington’s rich heritage while driving its future forward.
Ross Boggess
Co-Host of DevelopLex Podcast |
Weston Lockhart
Co-Host of DevelopLex Podcast |
Mentorship Matters: How to Find, Build, and Be a Great Mentor
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Mentorship is more than just guidance—it’s about building meaningful relationships that help navigate both personal and professional life. In this interactive session, we’ll explore what it truly means to be a mentor: someone willing to invest in another person’s growth. Through real-life examples, open discussion, and audience participation, we’ll uncover how mentorship happens organically and intentionally.
Whether you’re seeking a mentor, looking to become one, or simply curious about the impact of these relationships, this session is for you. Together, we’ll dive into the key components of mentorship, share experiences, and identify what you are looking for in a mentor. Join us for an engaging conversation that will leave you with insights and inspiration to foster meaningful mentorship connections in your own life. |
Craig Avery
210 Leadership |