Leadership Lexington Class Projects Driving Positive Change in the Community

Birdie Buddies group project from the 2025-26 Leadership Lexington class.

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.”

​Here’s a summary of what each group accomplished.

​Birdie Buddies of the Bluegrass is a 12-week learn-to-golf youth mentorship program developed in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, designed to use the game of golf as a vehicle for building confidence, resilience, and essential life skills in third through fifth grade students. Mentor and mentee pairs — matched through BBBS — learned the game together through weekly instruction, developing skills both on and off the course. The program launched its inaugural season with six active mentor/mentee pairings and was a success. All participants completed the full 12-week curriculum and celebrated with a concluding golf scramble. Kyle Smith’s leadership on the teaching side was instrumental in bringing the program to life this season. The impact of this pilot season extends beyond the course. Young participants gained exposure to a lifelong sport, meaningful mentorship connections, and foundational life skills in a structured, supportive environment. Looking ahead, the 2026 season will serve as the official pilot year, with plans to relaunch in Spring 2027 with an expanded participant base. Birdie Buddies of the Bluegrass will continue its partnerships with Fayette County Parks and Recreation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, with Shane Burks returning to lead the program into its next chapter.

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​GenLex (Generation Lex) is a financial literacy and wealth-building initiative created through the Leadership Lexington class to equip local high school students with practical, real-world financial education. Founded with the vision of breaking generational financial barriers, GenLex was designed to expose students to opportunities and knowledge often not taught early enough, including budgeting, banking, credit, investing, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and wealth building. In partnership with The Learning Center (Fayette County Public Schools), GenLex implemented interactive curriculum modules including Money Moves 101, Bank It or Break It, Paycheck Puzzle, and Level Up Your Wealth (Real Estate) to help students better understand how financial decisions impact their futures. 

​The initiative brought together Leadership Lexington classmates, educators, financial institutions, and community stakeholders to create a program focused not only on education, but also on application and long-term impact. GenLex partnered with UK Credit Union to help students open their first bank accounts and begin building healthy financial habits early. Each participating student who opened an account received $150, along with the opportunity to earn an additional $150 through continued positive financial habits and account engagement. GenLex was intentionally structured to become more than a one-time service project by creating a sustainable model that can be replicated for future growth and expansion into additional schools and student groups. As the project continues beyond Leadership Lexington, GenLex is partnering with Transylvania University's Center for Entrepreneurship to further expand the program’s reach, sustainability, and long-term community impact for future generations of students.

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​LexSupport was created with the goal of producing a high-impact video that showcases the critical economic and emotional contributions of nonprofits across Kentucky. The aim is to shift the perception of corporate giving from a simple act of charity to a vital, strategic investment in the future of the Bluegrass Region. The group has accomplished this goal. They successfully produced a video featuring perspectives from prominent local leaders—along with powerful testimonials from nonprofit partners. This video serves as a compelling business case for philanthropy, illustrating how every dollar invested in our community generates significant, measurable returns. The impact of LexSupport is already being felt as the video provides a professional tool for nonprofits to communicate their value to corporate decision-makers. Looking ahead, the project is designed for long-term growth. The video will be permanently hosted on various websites and social media platforms, ensuring it continues to inspire strategic investments and enhance the capacity of nonprofits throughout the region.    [VIEW VIDEO HERE]

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The goal of Lex Landbank is to educate relevant stakeholders, community members, and elected officials regarding land banks, their effective use, and what an effective land bank may look like in Lexington. While the project is currently ongoing, the group is actively distributing materials to relevant stakeholders. The ultimate impact is still to be determined.  The project may serve as a foundational resource that remains on a shelf, or in the alternative, a stakeholder may champion the land bank effort and utilize it as a vital tool for infill and redevelopment. Moving forward, the group will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders where necessary, and our team will serve as a resource for those who have questions regarding a land bank. This work will continue through the group and hopefully an additional organization.

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