Message from the Board Chair:
CASSIDY ROSENTHAL, STITES & HARBISON, PLLC
As Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton often says, it was the power of partnerships and collaboration that got us through the peaks and valleys of the pandemic. In 2023, we will need to leverage more collaboration to continue our progress in areas like diversity and inclusion, regional vision, education, leadership development, and more.
Diversity, inclusion and equity are key to our business recruitment and retention efforts. First and foremost, we must continue to lift-up those who have been disadvantaged for many years and ensure that all segments of our community not only have a seat at the table, but also have the equal access and opportunity to succeed.
Throughout the year, you’ll hear more about the Regional Competitiveness Plan, which aims to make Central Kentucky more competitive for jobs and talent. We’ll continue to work with our regional partners to work toward implementing the recommendations and action items focused on economic development, talent recruitment and retention, and regional leadership development. This is very important as we look to position our region for future success.
Public education has always been top-of-mind for Commerce Lexington, because of the important role it has in preparing and training our future workforce. Again, strong partnerships between the business community and education leaders are a must both in K-12 and postsecondary education as we work to strengthen our workforce.
Our community and region are again in the midst of another big leadership change. We seem to go through this about every 10-12 years, and over the last year or so, there have been a lot of retirements and transitions in key leadership positions. It’s important that we help cultivate the next generation of leaders in our community. Commerce Lexington’s EMERGE conference and Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass program are both designed to expand the capacity of our up-and-coming emerging leaders to perform within leadership roles. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in your career, the EMERGE Conference coming up on March 7th is a great way to learn new skills and strategies for leading. I encourage you to take look at your company and consider sending your best and brightest to the conference and/or allowing them to participate in the year-long Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass program.
I’m excited to lead our 2023 Leadership Visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is consistently ranked among the top cities in a variety of categories. Our delegation will explore the stories that have made Grand Rapids what it is today, while writing Lexington’s own story of success. I hope you’ll consider joining us for this important community-building event, June 5-7.
Finally, from a policy standpoint, it will be very important that we stay engaged in the discussion about land use policy as the city develops Fayette County’s next Comprehensive Plan. It is critical that more diverse voices are heard in this process. We must also ensure that we have accurate data related to vacant & available land, so that we our able to make decisions that are right for our community. Land use policy impacts so many things, so it’s important that we have the right balance and a plan that works for everyone.
I encourage you to get involved where you can, because it does matter to this organization and our community. I look forward to working with many of you this year, as we continue to strengthen Lexington and Central Kentucky for the future.
Cassidy Rosenthal
2023 Commerce Lexington Inc. Board Chair
Lexington Office Executive Member
Stites & Harbison, PLLC
Diversity, inclusion and equity are key to our business recruitment and retention efforts. First and foremost, we must continue to lift-up those who have been disadvantaged for many years and ensure that all segments of our community not only have a seat at the table, but also have the equal access and opportunity to succeed.
Throughout the year, you’ll hear more about the Regional Competitiveness Plan, which aims to make Central Kentucky more competitive for jobs and talent. We’ll continue to work with our regional partners to work toward implementing the recommendations and action items focused on economic development, talent recruitment and retention, and regional leadership development. This is very important as we look to position our region for future success.
Public education has always been top-of-mind for Commerce Lexington, because of the important role it has in preparing and training our future workforce. Again, strong partnerships between the business community and education leaders are a must both in K-12 and postsecondary education as we work to strengthen our workforce.
Our community and region are again in the midst of another big leadership change. We seem to go through this about every 10-12 years, and over the last year or so, there have been a lot of retirements and transitions in key leadership positions. It’s important that we help cultivate the next generation of leaders in our community. Commerce Lexington’s EMERGE conference and Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass program are both designed to expand the capacity of our up-and-coming emerging leaders to perform within leadership roles. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in your career, the EMERGE Conference coming up on March 7th is a great way to learn new skills and strategies for leading. I encourage you to take look at your company and consider sending your best and brightest to the conference and/or allowing them to participate in the year-long Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass program.
I’m excited to lead our 2023 Leadership Visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is consistently ranked among the top cities in a variety of categories. Our delegation will explore the stories that have made Grand Rapids what it is today, while writing Lexington’s own story of success. I hope you’ll consider joining us for this important community-building event, June 5-7.
Finally, from a policy standpoint, it will be very important that we stay engaged in the discussion about land use policy as the city develops Fayette County’s next Comprehensive Plan. It is critical that more diverse voices are heard in this process. We must also ensure that we have accurate data related to vacant & available land, so that we our able to make decisions that are right for our community. Land use policy impacts so many things, so it’s important that we have the right balance and a plan that works for everyone.
I encourage you to get involved where you can, because it does matter to this organization and our community. I look forward to working with many of you this year, as we continue to strengthen Lexington and Central Kentucky for the future.
Cassidy Rosenthal
2023 Commerce Lexington Inc. Board Chair
Lexington Office Executive Member
Stites & Harbison, PLLC