Leadership Lexington
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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.
Applications for the 2024-2025 Leadership Lexington Class are 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.
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?
Applicants must be employed by firms or organizations that are active members of Commerce Lexington. Non-employed community volunteers may also apply.
What is the time commitment to participate?
Leadership Lexington is an eleven-month program that starts with an overnight Orientation Retreat in August (Tentatively scheduled for August 1-2, 2024 at Boone Tavern in Berea. The program then consists of one full-day session lasting eight hours, once a month from September until June. The Orientation retreat is mandatory.
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.
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 2024-2025 leadership class opened on April 15 and closed on May 15. Applicants will be notified by the end of June on acceptance.
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, receiving more than 100 applications annually. 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 ethnic and cultural diversity of our city.
Typically, only one individual from each organization will be accepted per year.
The makeup of each year’s class is intended to reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our city.
Typically, only one individual from each organization will be accepted per year.
How much does it cost?
Program cost is $2,000.
MEMBER TESTIMONIAL: |
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Hear more about the impact Leadership Lexington from past participants.
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MEMBER TESTIMONIAL: |
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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.
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.
2024-25 PROGRAM SPONSORS:
PRESENTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
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ORIENTATION SPONSOR:
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HISTORY SPONSOR:
NAME BADGE SPONSOR:
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GOLD SPONSORS:
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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 send in any 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.
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 Flickinger. Find out more at www.leadershiplexingtonalumni.com.
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Economic Development Day Session photos by Mahan Multimedia.
LATEST SESSION: Leadership Lexington Learns About Economic Development Process
Recap by Jordan Wilson, The McIntosh Group
During Economic Development Day, our Leadership Lexington group engaged with some of the city’s brightest minds to explore how Lexington attracts tourists, talent, and businesses to the region. With a focus on bridging tourism to talent, entrepreneurship, attracting new businesses, and workforce development, the discussions highlighted the interconnected strategies fueling the city’s growth.
One key takeaway was the regional approach to workforce and business recruitment, as well as the ultimate site selection of the business. Since people and businesses operate without regard for city or county lines, collaboration across the region is essential. VisitLEX, Lexington’s tourism bureau, gathers data from hotel stays and event venues to market the city as a destination. That data is shared with Commerce Lexington, which uses it to enhance talent attraction strategies for both the city and the broader region.
Entrepreneurship also took center stage when we visited Lexmark, with local innovators showcasing how they integrate cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence into their businesses. Lafe Taylor, a self-described “power user” of AI, stood out as an especially inspiring example of leveraging technology to drive success.
The day also featured a site selection simulation, hosted at Link Belt Excavators’ Customer Experience Center, focused on highlighting how businesses could be attracted to the Greater Lexington region. Three businesses evaluated pitches from three cities, each showcasing their workforce capabilities, infrastructure, available housing, entertainment options, local universities, potential tax incentives, etc. The cities worked to align their offerings with the businesses’ needs, highlighting why they were the ideal location. The exercise was both engaging and insightful, offering a firsthand look at the business recruitment process.
However, the most impactful topic of the day for me was workforce diversification. Preparing a workforce that includes, among others, new immigrants, freshly unemployed, homeless, and the underemployed is vital for Lexington’s long-term prosperity. Organizations like the Lexington Rescue Mission and Jubilee Jobs are leading the way, equipping marginalized individuals with the skills needed to become contributing members of society.
A major barrier to workforce participation, however, is the benefits cliff. This abrupt reduction in government assistance often discourages individuals from seeking employment out of fear of losing essential support like disability income or food stamps. I have firsthand experiences with dozens of people in our neighborhood who are trapped in this cycle.
A real-life example of the benefit cliff in action is the Senga family (name changed to be anonymous). After spending 25 years in a refugee camp in Rwanda, the Senga family from the Congo finally found a home in the United States… in a house across the alley from my backyard. The parents, along with nine of their 10 children—all born in the camp—arrived in the U.S. with hope for a better future. However, their journey has been far from easy.
For the last year, the parents struggled to find work due to language barriers and limited skills that matched available jobs. The second and third oldest children, ages 22 and 20, were the family’s lifeline (the oldest stayed back in Rwanda), using the little English they learned in the camp to secure entry-level jobs with Amazon. Despite their efforts, the family quickly encountered the harsh reality of the benefits cliff—losing crucial rent assistance and food stamps (aka SNAP benefits) as their combined household income grew. But a major challenge arose when the oldest daughter married and moved out, halving the household’s income… And still no food stamps.
The second oldest son, who is only 20, carries a heavy burden. He works 40 hours a week while attending high school, determined to earn his diploma and improve his family’s future. His younger siblings, ranging in age from toddlers to teens, attend school full-time, adjusting to a new culture and language while grappling with food and shelter insecurity.
The family’s resilience and lack of entitlement is a testament to their determination to create a new life despite the odds. However, it illustrates how the benefits cliff traps hardworking families in poverty by, in essence, penalizing progress. A system with a more gradual roll-off would ensure some support while encouraging self-sufficiency, creating a more likely path to stability.
A more coordinated approach to gradual benefit reductions could ease this transition, encouraging more people to come off government assistance and enter the workforce while maintaining stability.
The day’s discussions underscored for me the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping Lexington’s future.
During Economic Development Day, our Leadership Lexington group engaged with some of the city’s brightest minds to explore how Lexington attracts tourists, talent, and businesses to the region. With a focus on bridging tourism to talent, entrepreneurship, attracting new businesses, and workforce development, the discussions highlighted the interconnected strategies fueling the city’s growth.
One key takeaway was the regional approach to workforce and business recruitment, as well as the ultimate site selection of the business. Since people and businesses operate without regard for city or county lines, collaboration across the region is essential. VisitLEX, Lexington’s tourism bureau, gathers data from hotel stays and event venues to market the city as a destination. That data is shared with Commerce Lexington, which uses it to enhance talent attraction strategies for both the city and the broader region.
Entrepreneurship also took center stage when we visited Lexmark, with local innovators showcasing how they integrate cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence into their businesses. Lafe Taylor, a self-described “power user” of AI, stood out as an especially inspiring example of leveraging technology to drive success.
The day also featured a site selection simulation, hosted at Link Belt Excavators’ Customer Experience Center, focused on highlighting how businesses could be attracted to the Greater Lexington region. Three businesses evaluated pitches from three cities, each showcasing their workforce capabilities, infrastructure, available housing, entertainment options, local universities, potential tax incentives, etc. The cities worked to align their offerings with the businesses’ needs, highlighting why they were the ideal location. The exercise was both engaging and insightful, offering a firsthand look at the business recruitment process.
However, the most impactful topic of the day for me was workforce diversification. Preparing a workforce that includes, among others, new immigrants, freshly unemployed, homeless, and the underemployed is vital for Lexington’s long-term prosperity. Organizations like the Lexington Rescue Mission and Jubilee Jobs are leading the way, equipping marginalized individuals with the skills needed to become contributing members of society.
A major barrier to workforce participation, however, is the benefits cliff. This abrupt reduction in government assistance often discourages individuals from seeking employment out of fear of losing essential support like disability income or food stamps. I have firsthand experiences with dozens of people in our neighborhood who are trapped in this cycle.
A real-life example of the benefit cliff in action is the Senga family (name changed to be anonymous). After spending 25 years in a refugee camp in Rwanda, the Senga family from the Congo finally found a home in the United States… in a house across the alley from my backyard. The parents, along with nine of their 10 children—all born in the camp—arrived in the U.S. with hope for a better future. However, their journey has been far from easy.
For the last year, the parents struggled to find work due to language barriers and limited skills that matched available jobs. The second and third oldest children, ages 22 and 20, were the family’s lifeline (the oldest stayed back in Rwanda), using the little English they learned in the camp to secure entry-level jobs with Amazon. Despite their efforts, the family quickly encountered the harsh reality of the benefits cliff—losing crucial rent assistance and food stamps (aka SNAP benefits) as their combined household income grew. But a major challenge arose when the oldest daughter married and moved out, halving the household’s income… And still no food stamps.
The second oldest son, who is only 20, carries a heavy burden. He works 40 hours a week while attending high school, determined to earn his diploma and improve his family’s future. His younger siblings, ranging in age from toddlers to teens, attend school full-time, adjusting to a new culture and language while grappling with food and shelter insecurity.
The family’s resilience and lack of entitlement is a testament to their determination to create a new life despite the odds. However, it illustrates how the benefits cliff traps hardworking families in poverty by, in essence, penalizing progress. A system with a more gradual roll-off would ensure some support while encouraging self-sufficiency, creating a more likely path to stability.
A more coordinated approach to gradual benefit reductions could ease this transition, encouraging more people to come off government assistance and enter the workforce while maintaining stability.
The day’s discussions underscored for me the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping Lexington’s future.
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