Leadership Lexington
PRESENTED BY:
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.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applications for the 2024-2025 program will open on April 15, 2024.
A committee of approximately 25 people (all Leadership Lexington alumni) will score the applications. Over the past few years we have been receiving close to 100 applications for the 50 spots in the class. We usually do not take individuals from the same company or organization in the same year.
After the class is selected, Leadership Lexington kicks off the year with an overnight Orientation retreat in Berea at Boone Tavern in August. Starting in September, the class will come together the second Thursday of every month for a full-day session focused on a community topic. Graduation takes place in June.
Every year the class selects up to four community projects to work on and class members self-select which one community project they want to work on throughout the program year. Project ideas are pitched at Orientation. Project work is outside of the day sessions, which makes the Leadership Lexington experience a significant time commitment.
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.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applications for the 2024-2025 program will open on April 15, 2024.
A committee of approximately 25 people (all Leadership Lexington alumni) will score the applications. Over the past few years we have been receiving close to 100 applications for the 50 spots in the class. We usually do not take individuals from the same company or organization in the same year.
After the class is selected, Leadership Lexington kicks off the year with an overnight Orientation retreat in Berea at Boone Tavern in August. Starting in September, the class will come together the second Thursday of every month for a full-day session focused on a community topic. Graduation takes place in June.
Every year the class selects up to four community projects to work on and class members self-select which one community project they want to work on throughout the program year. Project ideas are pitched at Orientation. Project work is outside of the day sessions, which makes the Leadership Lexington experience a significant time commitment.
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.
2023-24 PROGRAM SPONSORS:
PRESENTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
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ORIENTATION SPONSOR:
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NAME BADGE SPONSOR:
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GOLD SPONSORS:
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HISTORY SPONSOR:
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During the latest Day Session, the Leadership Lexington class heard about the economic development process. (Commerce Lexington Photo)
Latest Session: Leadership Lexington Learns About Economic Development Process
Recap by Logan Sparks, Central Bank Center
On November 9th, the Leadership Lexington class spent the day learning about economic development and the business development community in Lexington. We began the day at Lexmark hearing about Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s general economic development agenda from Kevin Atkins, Chief Development Officer. His presentation highlighted several programs that are working to bring business to our community, as well as several programs working to enhance the business that already exists here. He also discussed the different factors that companies and organizations consider when deciding to bring their business to Lexington, specifically mentioning that clients almost always mention how friendly, accommodating and nice Lexingtonians are.
Throughout the rest of the morning, the group heard from several community members representing the Urban League of Lexington through a panel led by Annissa Franklin, Vice President. I specifically appreciated Annissa’s discussion with Miranda Scully, Director of Family and Community Engagement with Fayette County Public Schools, during which they explained the importance of educating the entire family, not just the child, and the positive impact that that philosophy can have on communities.
The group relocated to the Link Belt Excavators Customer Experience Center for lunch and the afternoon activities. First, Gina Greathouse, EVP for Economic Development with Commerce Lexington, explained in great detail the process in which she and her team work to bring new companies into Lexington, including the site selection process, how they identify strategic targets, property search, etc. After Gina’s presentation, the class broke into smaller groups to engage in a site selection simulation. Three groups represented cities and the other three groups represented companies looking to either start or relocate businesses. The simulation was so fun and demonstrated the innumerable factors that organizations take into consideration when selecting a site, sometimes even including horseracing and bourbon.
Overall, the sentiment highlighted throughout the entire day that was most memorable to me is that economic development is not just a business of numbers, tax incentives, etc. Rather, meaningful economic development is a healthy balance of managing business and the environment and community that a city provides, reminding us all that we each have a part in economic development for Lexington through our daily actions, the causes that we care about, and how we take care of our fellow man.
On November 9th, the Leadership Lexington class spent the day learning about economic development and the business development community in Lexington. We began the day at Lexmark hearing about Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s general economic development agenda from Kevin Atkins, Chief Development Officer. His presentation highlighted several programs that are working to bring business to our community, as well as several programs working to enhance the business that already exists here. He also discussed the different factors that companies and organizations consider when deciding to bring their business to Lexington, specifically mentioning that clients almost always mention how friendly, accommodating and nice Lexingtonians are.
Throughout the rest of the morning, the group heard from several community members representing the Urban League of Lexington through a panel led by Annissa Franklin, Vice President. I specifically appreciated Annissa’s discussion with Miranda Scully, Director of Family and Community Engagement with Fayette County Public Schools, during which they explained the importance of educating the entire family, not just the child, and the positive impact that that philosophy can have on communities.
The group relocated to the Link Belt Excavators Customer Experience Center for lunch and the afternoon activities. First, Gina Greathouse, EVP for Economic Development with Commerce Lexington, explained in great detail the process in which she and her team work to bring new companies into Lexington, including the site selection process, how they identify strategic targets, property search, etc. After Gina’s presentation, the class broke into smaller groups to engage in a site selection simulation. Three groups represented cities and the other three groups represented companies looking to either start or relocate businesses. The simulation was so fun and demonstrated the innumerable factors that organizations take into consideration when selecting a site, sometimes even including horseracing and bourbon.
Overall, the sentiment highlighted throughout the entire day that was most memorable to me is that economic development is not just a business of numbers, tax incentives, etc. Rather, meaningful economic development is a healthy balance of managing business and the environment and community that a city provides, reminding us all that we each have a part in economic development for Lexington through our daily actions, the causes that we care about, and how we take care of our fellow man.
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)