Leadership Lexington
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
MISSION: Leadership Lexington is a leadership development program sponsored by Commerce Lexington and directed toward individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities. 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. The makeup of each year’s class is intended to reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our city.
ELIGIBILITY: Residents and individuals who work in the Lexington area are eligible to apply for Leadership Lexington. Applicants must be employed by firms or organizations that are active members of Commerce Lexington. Non-employed community volunteers may also apply.
STRUCTURE: Leadership Lexington is an eleven-month program involving an overnight Orientation in August and a full-day session lasting eight hours each month from September until June. A Get Acquainted Reception is held before the overnight Orientation retreat. The Orientation retreat is mandatory. Classes meet in different locations around the area each month exploring a major topic covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, group activities, demonstrations and class discussions. Topics addressed include media, government, growth, preservation, agriculture, education, public safety, economic development, arts, health and human services, and leadership development. At the end of the Leadership Lexington program year, a graduation is held in recognition of the class with an alumni reception following.
For more information about the Leadership Lexington program, contact Amy Stout at (859) 226-1610.
MISSION: Leadership Lexington is a leadership development program sponsored by Commerce Lexington and directed toward individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities. 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. The makeup of each year’s class is intended to reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our city.
ELIGIBILITY: Residents and individuals who work in the Lexington area are eligible to apply for Leadership Lexington. Applicants must be employed by firms or organizations that are active members of Commerce Lexington. Non-employed community volunteers may also apply.
STRUCTURE: Leadership Lexington is an eleven-month program involving an overnight Orientation in August and a full-day session lasting eight hours each month from September until June. A Get Acquainted Reception is held before the overnight Orientation retreat. The Orientation retreat is mandatory. Classes meet in different locations around the area each month exploring a major topic covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, group activities, demonstrations and class discussions. Topics addressed include media, government, growth, preservation, agriculture, education, public safety, economic development, arts, health and human services, and leadership development. At the end of the Leadership Lexington program year, a graduation is held in recognition of the class with an alumni reception following.
For more information about the Leadership Lexington program, contact Amy Stout at (859) 226-1610.
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. Applications for the 2023-24 class are now closed.
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. Applications for the 2023-24 class are now closed.
2022-23 CLASS SPONSORS
PRESENTED BY:
PRESENTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
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ORIENTATION SPONSOR:
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MEDIA SPONSOR:
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NAME BADGE SPONSOR:
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GOLD SPONSORS:
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HISTORY SPONSOR:
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Latest Session: Leadership Lexington Class Learns About Equine Industry Impact
Recap by Phil Jun, LexArts
Quarter Horse... Jump Teaser... Into Mischief... All these things and more were completely new terms for a city slicker like me, which was a big reason why I thought I would have a different perspective when reviewing Equine Day for Leadership Lexington.
For me, the day was filled with education. First of all, learning about how much money it brings to the economy was eye-opening. From The Breeder’s Cup to the sales at Keeneland, it was incredible to hear the numbers being reported. Also hearing how a horse like Into Mischief brings in millions of dollars into the Kentucky economy in just a few hours’ worth of work.
Along the same lines, it was interesting to see the Rood & Riddle facilities and all the medical care that they offer for horses. Learning that they not only offer medical care but also reproductive services and research for horses. There was a touching moment on the tour when we saw someone in a recovery stall with a foal hugging it to help it through the process of waking up from surgery.
Lastly, I was pleased to see how much effort Keeneland is putting in to tell the forgotten stories of African American jockeys and how much they contributed to the equine industry. I have heard of Oliver Lewis and Isaac Murphy but learned of other names like Jimmy Winkfield and trainers Ansel Williamson and Edward Dudley Brown. It was great to see the intentionality to bring these stories to the surface.
Equine Day was an incredible learning experience for a city kid. Saying that the equine industry is important to Lexington and Kentucky is an understatement.
Quarter Horse... Jump Teaser... Into Mischief... All these things and more were completely new terms for a city slicker like me, which was a big reason why I thought I would have a different perspective when reviewing Equine Day for Leadership Lexington.
For me, the day was filled with education. First of all, learning about how much money it brings to the economy was eye-opening. From The Breeder’s Cup to the sales at Keeneland, it was incredible to hear the numbers being reported. Also hearing how a horse like Into Mischief brings in millions of dollars into the Kentucky economy in just a few hours’ worth of work.
Along the same lines, it was interesting to see the Rood & Riddle facilities and all the medical care that they offer for horses. Learning that they not only offer medical care but also reproductive services and research for horses. There was a touching moment on the tour when we saw someone in a recovery stall with a foal hugging it to help it through the process of waking up from surgery.
Lastly, I was pleased to see how much effort Keeneland is putting in to tell the forgotten stories of African American jockeys and how much they contributed to the equine industry. I have heard of Oliver Lewis and Isaac Murphy but learned of other names like Jimmy Winkfield and trainers Ansel Williamson and Edward Dudley Brown. It was great to see the intentionality to bring these stories to the surface.
Equine Day was an incredible learning experience for a city kid. Saying that the equine industry is important to Lexington and Kentucky is an understatement.
Celebrating 40 Years!
Reflecting on the last 40 years of Leadership Lexington, the impact on the individual participants, their businesses and the community is incredible! As alumni, many of us have our own story of how participating in the “best class ever” changed the trajectory of our life both personally and professionally. Leadership Lexington’s first class, which graduated in 1980, to present day reminds us that with each new leader comes new challenges, but with each new class comes new solutions! Leadership Lexington focuses not on the position and title of leader, but instead teaches though action and example. While the mission of the program is to provide the participants with a better understanding of our city and prepare them for future challenges, it does even more, by becoming the fabric that weaves our local leaders together. In the coming months, join us as we celebrate the impact this program has made not only on the community, but also its participants. Special thanks to those alumni who shared their experience with us. Join the celebration!
A Legacy of Leadership: Leadership Lexington Celebrates 40 Years
Business Lexington Article by Kathie Stamps [November 2020]
Sign up or renew your membership to the Leadership Lexington Alumni Association. Sign up or Rejoin today HERE.
Reflecting on the last 40 years of Leadership Lexington, the impact on the individual participants, their businesses and the community is incredible! As alumni, many of us have our own story of how participating in the “best class ever” changed the trajectory of our life both personally and professionally. Leadership Lexington’s first class, which graduated in 1980, to present day reminds us that with each new leader comes new challenges, but with each new class comes new solutions! Leadership Lexington focuses not on the position and title of leader, but instead teaches though action and example. While the mission of the program is to provide the participants with a better understanding of our city and prepare them for future challenges, it does even more, by becoming the fabric that weaves our local leaders together. In the coming months, join us as we celebrate the impact this program has made not only on the community, but also its participants. Special thanks to those alumni who shared their experience with us. Join the celebration!
A Legacy of Leadership: Leadership Lexington Celebrates 40 Years
Business Lexington Article by Kathie Stamps [November 2020]
Sign up or renew your membership to the Leadership Lexington Alumni Association. Sign up or Rejoin today HERE.
Video produced by Mark Mahan, Mahan Multimedia.
Hear more about the impact Leadership Lexington from past participants.
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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
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 send in any updated contact information. If you are a graduate of Leadership Lexington, please send your updated information via e-mail to Dawn Pope. Find out more at www.leadershiplexingtonalumni.com.
The Leadership Lexington Alumni Association is ramping up! In order to make this association a success, we need all alums to send in any updated contact information. If you are a graduate of Leadership Lexington, please send your updated information via e-mail to Dawn Pope. Find out more at www.leadershiplexingtonalumni.com.
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)