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Leadership Lexington

PRESENTED BY:
Community Trust Bank logo
ABOUT THE PROGRAM: 
Leadership Lexington has been operating as the premiere leadership development program for professionals in the greater Lexington area for more than 40 years. With a competitive application and selection process, the program allows just fifty class members annually.

Leadership Lexington consists of ten, informative day-sessions which are organized and hosted by local leaders. These day sessions help to broaden perspectives and provide an increased understanding of community dynamics, signature industries, and public issues. Each class completes up to four community-based projects during the duration of the program. Projects are pitched and selected by the program participants at an immersive opening retreat.​
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MISSION: The program gives participants the opportunity to better understand our city and to prepare for the challenges it faces by meeting with and learning from today’s leaders. Leadership Lexington is an educational opportunity that broadens perspectives and allows participants to gain increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues. ​
2024-25 Class Roster
Class Projects
2024-25 Steering Committee
Alumni
​Applications for the 2025-26 class are now closed. For more information about the Leadership Lexington program check out the FAQs below or contact Tyra Harbut, Director of Leadership Development, at (859) 226-1610.
Who is eligible to apply?
Individuals who work in the Greater Lexington area are eligible to apply, and the program is open to both Commerce Lexington members, as well as non-members for an additional cost.
What is the time commitment to participate?
Leadership Lexington is an eleven-month program that starts with an overnight Orientation Retreat in August. The program then consists of one full-day session, once a month from September until June. The overnight Orientation Retreat is mandatory.
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Class participants are required to attend 80% of the day sessions in order to ‘graduate’ from the program. 

​Each year the class will complete up to four community projects. Project work is typically completed outside of the day sessions, which makes the Leadership Lexington experience a significant time commitment.
What is the timeline for applications?
​Applications for the 2025-2026 leadership class open on April 15 and close on May 19. Applicants will be notified by the end of June on acceptance. 
APPLY NOW
What goes into the selection process?
​Once the application window closes, a Steering Committee comprised of Leadership Lexington Alumni score the applications. The program is incredibly competitive. Multiple steering committee members score each application based on applicant background, leadership experience, reason for participation, personal insights, and letters of support. Once all applications are scored, the committee compiles the applications in order of highest to lowest score and discuss any discrepancies in scoring. The class is selected by a combination of the scores given and the discussion that follows.

The makeup of each year’s class is intended to reflect the cultural diversity of our city. ​​
How much does it cost?
Commerce Lexington Member Rate: $2,500
Non-member Rate: $2,500 plus an additional fee.

Contact us for more information.
MEMBER TESTIMONIAL:
"Leadership Lexington is by far the best program that I have ever participated in!  The friends and connections that I have made are life-long and so rewarding!  I'm very thankful for the continued opportunities to remain active with the program.  Thank you!"

- Bradley Stevenson (Immanuel Baptist Church)
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Hear more about the impact Leadership Lexington from past participants. 
MEMBER TESTIMONIAL:
"Participating in Leadership Lexington was truly a life-changing experience for me. I thought that I knew my city, having lived here for about 15 years, but I learned so much about the industries and organizations that make Lexington a great place to live and work. Going through the program even inspired me to pursue a career change from professional services marketing to the nonprofit sector, because I wanted to do more to give back to our community. Not only that, it also connected me with amazing people from different professions and sectors that I might not have met otherwise. Leadership Lexington is one of the most impactful things I've done to better myself both personally and professionally.  I can't recommend it enough!"

- Lauren Parsons
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications
Blue Grass Community Foundation
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Leadership Lexington Application Tutorial
Learn from Selection Committee members about what they are looking for when they score Leadership Lexington applications.  This video will provide guidance for you on each section of the application as well as answering general questions we often receive from applicants. 

230428 Leadership Lex Final from Mahan Multimedia on Vimeo.

2024-25 PROGRAM SPONSORS:
PRESENTED BY:
Community Trust logo
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Keeneland logo
TravelHost logo
ORIENTATION SPONSOR:
Sutherland logo
BREAKFAST SPONSOR:
McGregor logo
MEDIA SPONSOR:
Mahan Mutimedia
HISTORY SPONSOR:
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NAME BADGE SPONSOR:
Republic Bank logo
GOLD SPONSORS:
Bluegrass Comm Foundation
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Attention Leadership Lexington Alums: Help Us Stay Connected to You
The Leadership Lexington Alumni Association is ramping up! In order to make this association a success, we need all alums to submit updated contact information. If you are a graduate of Leadership Lexington, please send your updated information via e-mail to Dawn Flickinger.

​Find out more at www.leadershiplexingtonalumni.com. 

LATEST SESSION: Leadership Lexington Class Explores Impact of Equine Industry
Recap by Sydney DeLong, WLEX-TV
       Lexington's identity as the "Horse Capital of the World" came alive during our Leadership Lexington Equine Day in May, perfectly timed on the heels of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby.
     Our class couldn't have imagined a better start to the day, as we watched the morning workouts on the track with a rainbow shining above. Once inside Keeneland's Clubhouse, a diverse panel of industry leaders (at right) illuminated the thoroughbred sector's educational initiatives, workforce development, and community engagement efforts. Organizations like the Ed Brown Society, Taylor Made Farm's Stable Recovery, and Amplify Horse Racing demonstrated the industry's commitment to inclusion, education, and growth.
     At Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, a family-owned facility for more than 140 years, we learned about cutting-edge veterinary care that supports equine athletes. The Kentucky Horse Park tour and Secretariat Center demonstration showcased the magnificent facilities that attract visitors worldwide while highlighting extraordinary thoroughbred aftercare programs.
      At Spy Coast Farm, Stallion Manager Kent Barnes offered insight into the farm's specialization in sport horse reproduction, and team members gave the class a demonstration. The class also had the chance to get up close with a mare and foal. At Spendthrift Farm, the equine stars were shining. After a quick tour, the class was able to see 2020 Kentucky Derby Winner Authentic, Omaha Beach, Forte, and a sire making a name for himself, Into Mischief.
     Perhaps the most exciting experience of the day was the Thoroughbred Sales Simulation at Keeneland's Sales Pavilion. This hands-on experience revealed the high-stakes business decisions that drive the industry's economic engine. Hearing tips and tricks from champion owner and trainer Kenny McPeek was the icing on the cake. The members of the Godolphin Flying Start program were incredible stewards of the industry, offering a wealth of knowledge to all of our questions.
      Throughout the day, one message became clear: Lexington's equine industry represents the very soul of our community's identity. The rolling Bluegrass hills dotted with world-class horse farms aren't merely picturesque landscapes—they're living monuments to generations of horsemanship, tradition, and cultural heritage that define who we are as Lexingtonians.
      As a Leadership Lexington class, we gained not just knowledge but a profound appreciation of what the equine industry represents and brings to our community. We came to understand that when we call ourselves the Horse Capital of the World, we're not just describing an industry but honoring a living heritage that continues to shape our collective identity, our international relationships, our landscapes, and ultimately our shared future as stewards of this uniquely Lexingtonian tradition.

    ​Get Updates About Leadership Lexington:

Submit
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Contact us:
​

Tyra Harbut,
Commerce Lexington | ​Director, Leadership Development
[email protected]
​859.226.1610

Upcoming Events:

Copyright © 2025 Commerce Lexington Inc., all rights reserved.
COMMERCE LEXINGTON® and the Commerce Lexington logo are registered trademarks of Commerce Lexington.
330 East Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507
Phone: (859) 254-4447
  • About
    • Message from the Board Chair
    • President's Message
    • Top Investors
    • Board of Directors
    • Racial Equity Pledge
    • Staff Directory
    • Find Our Offices | Parking
    • NEWS
  • Do Business
    • Business Directory
    • Economic Development
    • Minority Business Development >
      • Minority Business Directory
      • Procurement Opportunities
    • Business & Education Network
    • Resources >
      • Start a Business
      • Relocate a Business
      • Funding & Financing
      • Publications
  • Live & Work
    • Relocation Guide
    • Job Board
    • Getting Around
    • Demographics
    • Cost of Living
    • Lexington History
    • Lexington Rankings
    • Education >
      • Public Education
      • Private Education
    • Health Care
  • Advocacy
    • About Public Policy
    • Regional Plan
    • Your Government >
      • Local
      • State
      • Federal
    • Policy Statements & Key Issues
  • Membership
    • Member Benefits
    • Member Discounts
    • Member News
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • JOIN
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit an Event
    • An Evening With Commerce Lexington
    • International Trip
    • EMERGE >
      • EMERGE Sessions
    • Leadership Visit >
      • Past Trips >
        • Salt Lake City 2024
        • Grand Rapids 2023
        • Tampa-St. Pete 2022
        • Austin 2021
        • Raleigh 2019
      • Impact
    • Regional Summit >
      • Regional Summit Agenda
    • Washington Fly-In
    • Salute to Small Business >
      • Past Award Winners
  • Connect
    • Become a Member
    • Peer Programming >
      • Business Owners Advisory Boards (BOAB)
      • Peer Groups
    • Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass
    • Leadership Development >
      • Leadership Lexington >
        • Leadership Lexington Alumni Association
        • Leadership Lexington Projects 2024-25
      • Leadership Central Kentucky >
        • Class Roster
        • LCK Alumni
    • Ambassador Program
  • FOUNDATION