Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass

Join our list - receive event information

Leadership Development for Emerging Professionals in Central Kentucky
Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass (ELBG) is a year-round leadership development initiative for early-career and emerging professionals across Central Kentucky. ELBG offers flexible, affordable programming designed to help participants build foundational leadership skills, grow professionally, and form meaningful connections—without the time commitment of a traditional cohort-based program.
Through monthly professional development, community education, and networking opportunities, ELBG supports talent retention and workforce development by engaging rising leaders and connecting them to Central Kentucky’s people, organizations, and civic systems.
ELBG is for early-career professionals, young professionals, college students, recent graduates, and individuals at various career stages who are interested in leadership development and community engagement. No prior leadership experience is required.
Programming focuses on leadership skill-building, community and civic awareness, and relationship-building across industries.
Program structure:

Operates year-round
Monthly events, typically held on the fourth Tuesday of each month
Occasional additional events or socials

ELBG offers a low-barrier, high-impact way to grow as a leader while staying connected to Central Kentucky.

Upcoming ELBG Events:

Stay connected and keep growing with our Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass programs. Each session is designed to inspire, educate, and provide meaningful opportunities to expand your leadership skills while connecting with fellow young professionals. Most ELBG events are free unless otherwise noted, and registration is required for all events. Check out what’s coming up and register today to secure your spot:

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
April 28 | 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Join us at Commerce Lexington for an interactive workshop with Stephanie Greene on emotional intelligence in leadership. Learn what EQ is (and isn’t), explore the traits of emotionally intelligent leaders, and see how it impacts trust, performance, and workplace culture. Connect with fellow emerging leaders and leave with practical strategies to embed emotional intelligence into hiring, leadership expectations, and everyday organizational culture.

Fuel Your Leadership Journey with Valvoline
May 26 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Join Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience at Valvoline Headquarters, where innovation, growth, and people-first leadership come to life. This dynamic event will offer insight into Valvoline’s “Happy to Help” culture, their Internship Program, and Employee Resource Groups, along with a live leadership panel featuring Valvoline leaders sharing real-world experiences and practical strategies for success. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up, you’ll leave inspired, connected, and equipped to grow.

Move & Connect with The YMCA
June 23 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Join us for an energizing afternoon at the North Lexington Family YMCA, where movement meets connection. Kick off the afternoon with an optional guided tour of the Y, followed by a brief overview of the YMCA’s impact in our community. Then, choose your experience and get moving! Whether you’re learning the basics of pickleball, challenging yourself in an indoor cycling class, or finding balance in a yoga session.
Yoga and Cycling have limited capacity and will be filled based on the order of registration. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your spot!

General Program Questions

Who is ELBG for?

ELBG is open to early-career and emerging professionals, college students, recent graduates, and anyone interested in leadership development and community engagement. No prior leadership experience is required.

How does the program work?

ELBG operates year-round and typically hosts one event per month, usually on the fourth Tuesday. Participation is flexible—attendees can choose which events fit their interests and schedule.

Is there a cost to participate?

Some ELBG events are free, while others may require a registration fee. Any costs are clearly listed on each event’s registration page.

How do I register and where are events held?

All events require advance registration through the Upcoming Events section of this page. Events are held in person with location details provided for each event.