Twenty-three individuals, including two from Northern Kentucky, complete their program in ELEVATE Kentucky's Class of 2025.
ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025 Graduates 23 Civic and Community Leaders
The ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025, also known as the Kentucky Leadership Rising (KLR) program, has successfully graduated 23 civic and community leaders from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This statewide initiative, aimed at elevating, equipping, and empowering the next generation of education leaders, particularly those aspiring to superintendent roles, took place from April to June in Owensboro, Pikeville, and Frankfort/Northern Kentucky.
The program consisted of nine highly interactive workshop sessions, blending in-person and virtual learning. Led by experienced education leaders, the curriculum focused on practical, real-world leadership development, using authentic scenarios and strategies experienced by current and former superintendents. Participants delved into experiential learning opportunities, gained insights into their personal leadership abilities, and deepened their leadership skills.
The ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025 included participants from various counties and professions. Olivia McKown, from Franklin County, is associated with the Home Builders Association of Kentucky. Hunter Boyd, from Boyd County, Northeast Kentucky, is associated with the Northeast Kentucky Economic Development Authority. Lindsay Porter, from Warren County, works for English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP. Sarah Dearth, from Muhlenberg County, works for Madisonville Community College. Katherine Yochum, from Jefferson County, works for RunSwitch PR. Jackson Hurst-Sanders, also from Jefferson County, works for Stites & Harbison PLLC. Taylor Hedges, from Jefferson County, works for the Perfection Group. Blake Moss, from Pike County, works for the Big Sandy Area Development District. Zack Wilt, from Oldham County, works for the Oldham County Emergency Management. Elizabeth Settle, from Fayette County, works for Charter Communications. Kasey Childers-Moss, from Taylor County, is affiliated with Campbellsville University.
Other participants include Tyler Stapp, from Russell County, who works for the Pineville Community Health Center. Sheree Weichold, from Boone County, works at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Charlie Todd, from Jefferson County, works for Stored Value Solutions. Josh Ryan, from Christian County, works for Planters Bank Inc. Kara Pangburn, from Campbell County, represents CHNK Behavioural Health. Molly Thompson, from McCracken County, works for the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Trevor McWhorter, from Taylor County, is affiliated with Campbellsville University. Blake Dials, from Jessamine County, works for BRW. Jimmy Chadwell, from Madison County, works for Voices of Hope. Whitney Stepp-Gay, from Woodford County, is affiliated with the University of Kentucky. Duncan Taylor, from Union County, works as an Attorney-At-Law. Nicole Leach, from Daviess County, works for Owensboro Health.
Throughout the program, participants heard from thought-provoking Kentucky leaders and engaged in panel discussions. The program provided learning opportunities about issues and opportunities facing the state of Kentucky. Participants also received exclusive access to materials, use of a superintendent dashboard, networking opportunities, EILA credit hours, and a celebration luncheon. Additionally, the program offers job search coaching and formal letters of support for applications.
By equipping superintendents with leadership skills grounded in real-world challenges, the initiative helps foster stronger educational policies and practices, indirectly uplifting civic leadership through education. The ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025 has been providing young leaders with personal and professional development since 2017.
For more information about other leadership programs in Kentucky named "Elevate" but outside education leadership, please specify.
- Olivia McKown, from Franklin County, and Katherine Yochum, from Jefferson County, are part of the ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025, hailing from different counties in Kentucky, just like many other participants from various professions.
- Lindsay Porter, from Northern Kentucky's Warren County, and Kara Pangburn, from Campbell County, were amongst the 23 community leaders who participated in the ELEVATE Kentucky program, focusing on education and self-development for personal growth.
- The ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025, which includes participants like Zack Wilt from Oldham County and Taylor Hedges from Jefferson County, aims to uplift civic leadership through education by equipping future superintendents with practical leadership skills and real-world challenges.
- Besides learning from thought-provoking Kentucky leaders, participants from Boone County's Sheree Weichold to Woodford County's Whitney Stepp-Gay engaged in panel discussions and gained access to resources like a superintendent dashboard, EILA credit hours, and networking opportunities.
- In an effort to foster a stronger community, the ELEVATE Kentucky Class of 2025, such as Duncan Taylor from Union County and Jimmy Chadwell from Madison County, focuses on education-and-self-development to indirectly uplift civic leadership and promote personal and professional growth.
