​The Leadership Central Kentucky program is proud to introduce the newest class of regional leaders, who will begin the program with an orientation retreat August 18-19 at the Historic Boone Tavern in Madison County. Entering its 25th year, Leadership Central Kentucky (LCK) remains dedicated to developing and connecting leaders across the region who are committed to strengthening their communities through collaboration, civic engagement, and regional perspective.
 
Presented by Kentucky Utilities, Leadership Central Kentucky is a regional leadership development program designed for established leaders across Central Kentucky who are ready to expand their impact beyond their own organizations and communities. The program takes participants through monthly sessions across the eight-county region of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Each session explores key issues shaping Central Kentucky—including transportation, education, economic development, public advocacy, quality of life, and agri-tourism—through expert speakers, engaging tours, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer discussions.

On July 22-24, 2026, Commerce Lexington hosted the annual Greater LEX Washington, D.C. Fly-In co-presented by Columbia Gas of Kentucky and BrightSpring Health Services to our nation’s Capital.  This year’s trip was unique.  Approximately 80 business leaders from both Commerce Lexington and One Louisville joined together to meet with policy experts, members of Kentucky’s federal delegation, and key officials in the Trump Administration, especially with ties back to Kentucky, to advocate for policies and investments to improve economic competitiveness for both regions. It was the first joint endeavor for both Chambers and turned out to be a successful trip for networking, policy engagement, and demonstrating we are better together as a region and a Commonwealth. In case you missed the visit, here is brief recap of the meetings and important policy topics discussed by federal policy leaders. 

When Fayette County Public Schools didn’t include additional funding for classroom supplies in its final budget, members of Lexington's business community stepped forward to help. As a result, Commerce Lexington, Central Bank, Keeneland and Daren and Kirsten Turner have established the Classroom Essentials Fund, a collaborative initiative that will provide teachers and school leaders with funding for essential classroom supplies and instructional resources for the 2026–2027 school year.
 
As the philanthropic arm of Commerce Lexington, the Foundation is serving as the trusted convener and administrator of the fund, bringing together businesses, community organizations, Fayette County Public Schools and Equity Solutions Group to ensure contributions are distributed with accountability, transparency and measurable impact.
 
The Classroom Essentials Fund launches with an initial commitment of more than $500,000 (and growing), made possible through generous contributions from business partners listed below. Additional businesses and community partners are encouraged to join the effort, with 100 percent of every contribution going directly to classroom and instructional needs.

 Since 1986, Commerce Lexington has been honoring and recognizing the significant impact of small businesses on our organization and the regional economy through its annual Salute to Small Business Awards presented by Forcht Bank. Small businesses are a large part of communities across Kentucky, representing 99.3% of businesses in the Commonwealth and employing more than 685,000 people. 

Commerce Lexington is excited to announce the 2026 award winners, including Goff Tents & Events, Thea’s Bass & Biddy Kitchen, TOPS Magazine, and Children’s Law Center. Throughout the week of August 10 – 14, we’ll showcase our top small businesses and one outstanding nonprofit organization through a variety of events, video vignettes, and Facebook Live segments, culminating on Friday, August 14, with the announcement of the new Small Business of the Year at an awards luncheon, beginning at noon at the Hilton Lexington Downtown (369 West Vine Street) in downtown Lexington. 

With a new Leadership Lexington class set to begin the 2026-27 program soon, we thought it was important to reflect on the positive impact of the class projects from the most recent 2025-26 class. Each year, the Leadership Lexington program presented by Community Trust Bank empowers participants to become active changemakers in our community. One of the most meaningful components of the program is the class project - an opportunity for participants to work in teams, identify a need, and develop a sustainable solution. It is the defining experience where participants apply leadership skills and theory to real world challenges through a hands-on, small-group experience. Over the past year, the Class of 2026 launched four dynamic projects that addressed key community needs ranging from mentorship to financial literacy to nonprofit impact to infill and redevelopment.

Commerce Lexington’s Director of Leadership Development, Tyra Harbut, said, “The class projects are truly the heart of the Leadership Lexington experience. They challenge participants to step outside of their comfort zones, work alongside people with different perspectives, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Watching the teams take on a community need or issue and create solutions that will continue making an impact long after graduation is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I'm incredibly proud of this class for their creativity, collaboration, and commitment to leaving our community stronger than they found it.”

​Since 1979, Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Lexington program presented by Community Trust Bank has been cultivating Lexington leaders, producing more than 1,900 graduates from this impactful leadership development program. Participants of the program have impacted our city in areas such as public art, youth mentoring, business leadership, nutrition, healthy living, hunger relief, community engagement and more.
 
The Leadership Lexington Steering Committee is proud to announce the new Leadership Lexington class for 2026-27 comprised of 52 individuals from a variety of segments across the Lexington community.  The program provides participants with 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 class members to gain increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues.  

Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize Andi Johnson, Chief Policy Officer and Director of Regional Engagement, for earning the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant's knowledge of core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the organization’s goals.

Johnson is one of 19 chamber professionals from across 12 states, to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation this year. The new group of CCE’s was announced during ACCE’s annual convention in New Orleans. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. It is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession. It’s the only globally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.

​On July 22-24, a delegation of about 80 business and community leaders from Lexington and Louisville region’s will travel to the nation’s capital for its first-ever joint Washington, D.C. Fly-In co-presented by BrightSpring Health Services and Columbia Gas of Kentucky and coordinated by Commerce Lexington and One Louisville. With the upcoming midterm elections on the horizon, the summer Congressional session will center tightly on the Republican majority's core priorities—specifically the FY 2027 appropriations cycle, permitting reform, and a potential third reconciliation package. To shape these outcomes, proactive and immediate engagement with our federal representatives is essential.
 
During the visit, leaders from Greater LEX and Louisville groups will meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, administration officials, and their respective staffs about priority issues. In addition, participants will hear from various leaders and policy experts about key issues such as trade, regulatory reform, economic development, transportation infrastructure, housing affordability, energy policies, workforce issues, and appropriations.  

By Jennifer Stolo, President & CEO, Christian Appalachian Project

Less than 72 hours.
 
That's about how much time participants on Commerce Lexington's Annual Leadership Visit spend immersed in another community. Yet somehow, those few whirlwind days often generate ideas, relationships, and insights that shape our own communities for years to come.
 
Last week, I had the opportunity to join nearly 150 other Kentucky business, nonprofit, education, and government leaders in Des Moines, Iowa, as part of Commerce Lexington's 2026 Leadership Visit. The itinerary was packed and the purpose straightforward: to learn from another community's successes, challenges, and vision for the future.
 
At first glance, Lexington and Des Moines appear to have much in common. Both are growing regional hubs with strong healthcare, education, agriculture, and business sectors. Both are communities that take pride in their quality of life, civic engagement, and commitment to economic development. Both are navigating questions around workforce development, housing, infrastructure, and long-term growth.

​On Thursday, June 4, the 2025-26 Class of Leadership Lexington gathered at the William T. Young Campus Center at Transylvania University for a time to reflect on their ten-month journey together, growing as leaders, giving back to the community and developing lifelong friendships, all under the guidance and direction of Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Development Director, Tyra Harbut. 
 
Prior to the graduation ceremony the class spent time in discussion about their learnings throughout the year. From Public Safety and Education to Economic Development and the Arts, the class was introduced to numerous organizations and individuals who contribute to the vibrancy of our great city. Graduates shared how much they learned with many people echoing the sentiment that despite being lifelong Lexingtonians or living and leading in Lexington for some time, they learned so much more about their city as they discovered many new things and observed all it has to offer.