Leadership Lexington
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
2019-20 Leadership Lexington Project Pivots to COVID Lexington Podcast
Lexington Day of Service was a project designed to encourage volunteerism through Lexington’s business community by participating in a day of service in May connecting volunteers with non-profits. However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic the project group pivoted from their original project idea to the creation of a podcast for nonprofits providing information and resources related to COVID-19.
The third episode of the COVID-19 Podcast, a project of Leadership Lexington class members, is now available: https://www.facebook.com/COVIDLex/
Lexington Day of Service was a project designed to encourage volunteerism through Lexington’s business community by participating in a day of service in May connecting volunteers with non-profits. However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic the project group pivoted from their original project idea to the creation of a podcast for nonprofits providing information and resources related to COVID-19.
The third episode of the COVID-19 Podcast, a project of Leadership Lexington class members, is now available: https://www.facebook.com/COVIDLex/
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.
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. Applications are available April 15th and must be received by the deadline: May 15th.
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS: For more information about the Leadership Lexington application process, CLICK HERE.
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. Applications are available April 15th and must be received by the deadline: May 15th.
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS: For more information about the Leadership Lexington application process, CLICK HERE.
For more information about the Leadership Lexington program, contact Amy Stout at (859) 226-1610.
"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
Child Care Council of Kentucky, Inc.
2019-20 Program Presented By:
Orientation Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsors:
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NAME BADGE SPONSOR
Republic Bank
BRONZE SPONSORS:
Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Lexington Clinic Foundation
BOOK SPONSOR:
LEX History
Republic Bank
BRONZE SPONSORS:
Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Lexington Clinic Foundation
BOOK SPONSOR:
LEX History
Lexington Urban-County Councilmembers James Brown and Jennifer Reynolds addressed the Leadership Lexington class virtually during the Diversity Day Session. (CLX Staff Photo)
With U.S. at a Crossroads, Diversity Day Session Comes at Key Time
Recap by Cameron Hamilton, Ballast, Inc.
This year’s Leadership Lexington class has developed the flexibility of a world-class yoga instructor. The COVID-19 pandemic became a reality in early March as the participants’ year-long community projects were on the cusp of completion. Pivot has become their unofficial mantra, as evidenced by the transformation of April’s live class session to a web-based program in June.
In light of current events across our nation and around the world, there may not have been a more timely Diversity Day Session. The class assembled via Zoom on June 11 as nightly protests had spread to most major American cities, including Lexington. Dr. Antomia Farrell, Director for Diversity at the UK College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, led a collaborative session focusing on inclusion and valuing diverse perspectives in both the workplace and our community. As a leader in cultivating diversity in organizations, Dr. Farrell gave a great piece of advice, to “Call In, Not Call Out.” Each instance when an individual fails to live up to an organization’s values is an opportunity to bring that person into the fold, educate, and empower them to take up the work of inclusion and equity.
The pandemic has become a material factor in all industries, and this importance was reflected in the afternoon panel on systems of inequality amplified by COVID-19. Councilmembers and nonprofit leaders highlighted how disparities in employment, housing, and access to healthcare have left our minority populations disproportionately affected by the virus. For example, Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds discussed how a lack of consistent multilingual messaging left our Spanish-speaking population vulnerable. This point highlighted the importance of cultivating diversity in our community and workplaces. Equity cannot be achieved unless policy and strategy are informed by a diversity of ideas.
Recap by Cameron Hamilton, Ballast, Inc.
This year’s Leadership Lexington class has developed the flexibility of a world-class yoga instructor. The COVID-19 pandemic became a reality in early March as the participants’ year-long community projects were on the cusp of completion. Pivot has become their unofficial mantra, as evidenced by the transformation of April’s live class session to a web-based program in June.
In light of current events across our nation and around the world, there may not have been a more timely Diversity Day Session. The class assembled via Zoom on June 11 as nightly protests had spread to most major American cities, including Lexington. Dr. Antomia Farrell, Director for Diversity at the UK College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, led a collaborative session focusing on inclusion and valuing diverse perspectives in both the workplace and our community. As a leader in cultivating diversity in organizations, Dr. Farrell gave a great piece of advice, to “Call In, Not Call Out.” Each instance when an individual fails to live up to an organization’s values is an opportunity to bring that person into the fold, educate, and empower them to take up the work of inclusion and equity.
The pandemic has become a material factor in all industries, and this importance was reflected in the afternoon panel on systems of inequality amplified by COVID-19. Councilmembers and nonprofit leaders highlighted how disparities in employment, housing, and access to healthcare have left our minority populations disproportionately affected by the virus. For example, Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds discussed how a lack of consistent multilingual messaging left our Spanish-speaking population vulnerable. This point highlighted the importance of cultivating diversity in our community and workplaces. Equity cannot be achieved unless policy and strategy are informed by a diversity of ideas.
