Leadership Kentucky Foundation

The core Leadership Kentucky program began in 1985 and brings together a diverse group of people who possess a broad variety of Leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. Through a series of seven monthly, three day sessions, held in various locations in the state, our participants are educated about the commonwealth of Kentucky and its challenges. They meet and talk with Kentucky's current leaders, and through a systematic educational program, explore the state's opportunities, needs and resources. Kentucky's rich cultural heritage and its unique diversity are woven throughout the curriculum that features the state's economy, education, health and human services, law and justice, military, natural resources, arts, government, and tourism. In addition, Leadership Kentucky provides a thought-provoking experience focusing on the attributes of Leadership and what it means to be a leader. By visiting various regions of the commonwealth, class participants develop an enhanced view and a new meaning to the word community that spans the entire state.during 2022, lky led a class of 51 leaders from across the state to fulfill its mission. Leadership Kentucky's selected participants were required to pay tuition of 3,500 for 2022. For this investment, the participant and their sponsoring business or organization sees a return on that investment in expert speakers, books, program content, meals, transportation and venue admissions. Additional return on investment is seen through the class content as they learn firsthand the complex critical issues facing Kentucky and its citizens; their broadened circle of contacts and new alliances built across the state; they are educated, prepared and inspired to return to their respective communities and achieve an even higher level of civic participation in a united effort to make Kentucky a better place for all its citizens.

Bright Kentucky is designed to build the capacity of next generation leaders (average age 21 to 40 with approximately 42 participants in the cohort) in the appalachian region of Kentucky to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development. Bright Kentucky engages bright, entrepreneurial minds from all sectors and eastern Kentucky regions to offer nonpartisan, ethical Leadership training, expanded networks, and mentors designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the appalachian regional commission (arc). Bright is funded through a grant from the arc and private contributions from whitaker bank and others.

Elevate Kentucky features approximately 25 members (ages 25 to 35) each year. Elevate Kentucky's selected participants pay tuition of 2,200. Elevate Kentucky offers young professionals indepth personal and professional development while fostering a better understanding of challenges facing our commonwealth. Elevate participants return to their companies with increased skills, knowledge, perspective, and a new statewide professional network. Millennial leaders are better prepared to be catalysts in their companies and communities in an effort to elevate Kentucky.