ELEVATE Kentucky 2026 Kicks Off in Pikeville!
Written by Tessa Duvall, Politics & Public Affairs Editor, Lexington Herald-Leader
The 26 young professionals of Leadership Kentucky’s ELEVATE Class of 2026 completed the first multi-day session in Pikeville from Wednesday, April 22 through Friday, April 24. For many members of the cohort, it was the first time in Kentucky’s largest and easternmost county – but not a visit soon forgotten. Throughout the 48 hours in Pikeville, participants met homegrown leaders working tirelessly to make their community a better place.
After introductions and an icebreaker, the class heard from Dr. Lori Werth, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, University of Pikeville. Werth, a 2025 alum of Leadership Kentucky, shared her top leadership lessons, which included staying adaptable, making courageous decisions, and investing in people. Participants also visited UPike’s optometry program before leaving campus.
Later, at the Bob Amos Overlook Center, the class learned about the Pikeville Cut-Through project, one of the largest earth-moving projects in the world, from LKY President and CEO Janice Way and Rusty Justice, Managing Member BitSource and a 2013 alum of LKY. Under the leadership of former Mayor William C. Hambley, the Cut-Through Project has allowed Pikeville to avoid the devastating flooding experienced throughout much of the region.
Day 2 kicked off with Dr. Amanda Jo Slone, University of Pikeville professor and native of eastern Kentucky. Dr. Slone led participants in a discussion about Understanding People Through Place, including a deep dive into the stereotypes of Appalachia and the importance of seeing past them. Slone encouraged the class to keep an asset mindset, focusing on strengths and opportunities, instead of the deficit model, built around problems and “fixing” them.
One of the most impactful parts of the first session came during the visit to the Appalachian Valley Autism (AVA) Center. This experience allowed the class to see how Pikeville Medical Center has stepped in to fill a tremendous need for families with children on the autism spectrum. Inspired by his granddaughter, Ava, the effort was championed by Donovan Blackburn, PMC Chairman, President and CEO, and a 2005 LKY alumnus.
After a walking tour of downtown Pikeville, the group headed to Floyd County, where participants met with City of Wayland Mayor Jerry Fultz at the community center. Fultz, a Wayland native and multi-term mayor, led the charge to preserve the high school basketball gymnasium. The facility holds a special place in the community as the home of Kelly “King” Coleman, regarded as one of the nation’s greatest high school basketball players, that now houses the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame.
The ELEVATE Class of 2026 spent the final day in Pikeville working through DiSC assessment results. With this data, participants can return to the workplace with insight to better understand colleagues. The class is 17% D style, 31% i style, 28% S style and 24% C style, showing that participants run the gamut.
ELEVATE 2026 reunites in May to visit Owensboro and Henderson May 13-15.
