Leadership Kentucky Announces 2025 BRIGHT Kentucky Class

Posted on: July 7, 2025
BRIGHT Class of 2025

BRIGHT Kentucky, which began in 2019, empowers today's emerging leaders (ages 21–40) in the Appalachian region to drive innovation, collaboration, and community and economic development — while honoring the vision and values of the foundational leaders who came before them. The program builds on a strong legacy by equipping a new generation with non-partisan, ethical leadership training, and expanded networks designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The program is made possible by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant and private funding from the Whitaker Foundation, AEP Foundation/Kentucky Power, and other generous donors.

BRIGHT Kentucky consists of five, three-day sessions where the primary goal is to help participants fully understand the local economic context and to build robust skill sets in communication, collaboration, consensus building, visioning, and community engagement. The program, which runs from July through November, will take participants across Eastern Kentucky: Hazard in July, Somerset/Monticello in August, Frankfort/Berea in September, London/Corbin in October, and Ashland/Morehead in November. The program is set to kick off on July 9 with an engaging session on understanding and maximizing the participants’ leadership style.

This year’s class includes 38 participants from 21 ARC counties representing a variety of public and private sectors. Leadership Kentucky congratulates the following members:

  1. Jordan Abrams, Boyd County, UK St. Claire
  2. Shane Allen, Floyd County, Kentucky Power
  3. Dylon Baker, Perry County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare
  4. Danna Barnett , Lawrence County, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)
  5. Gabrielle Boyd, Greenup County, People’s Bank
  6. Jessica Buckley, Floyd County, Pikeville Medical Center
  7. Kelli Callihan, Perry County, Bluegrass Care Navigators
  8. Rob Collins, Greenup County, Kentucky Department of Education
  9. Destiny Conner, Carter County, South Central Workforce Development Board
  10. Amber Decker, Wayne County, The Center for Rural Development
  11. Paul Dengel, Whitley County, USDA Rural Development
  12. Ford Edwards, Knox County, Union Commonwealth University
  13. Dominique Ellis, Greenup County, Pathways Inc.
  14. Stacey Fields, Pike County, Pikeville Medical Center
  15. IsaBella Freeman, Madison County, Alice Lloyd College
  16. Stacie Fugate, Perry County, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky/City of Hazard
  17. Kristen Gleason, Greenup County, City National Bank
  18. Eric Griffith, Boyd County, Local 248 Education and Training
  19. Marvin Guerrero, Pulaski County, Forcht Bank
  20. Patrick Hall, Perry County, Hazard High School
  21. Callie Hathaway, Johnson County, Operation UNITE
  22. Zack Highley, Rowan County, Teall Properties Group
  23. Jordan Hill, Magoffin County, Citizens Bank of Kentucky
  24. Mariana Hinojosa, Floyd County, Big Sandy Area Development District
  25. Amanda Kelly, Clark County, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  26. Luke King, Cumberland County, Cumberland County Fiscal Court
  27. Madison Little, Pike County, City of Pikeville (AWA)
  28. Mike McLaughlin, Rockcastle County, PMR Companies
  29. Shawn Miller, Laurel County, Pineville Community Health Center
  30. Chris Partin, Knox County, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)
  31. Katie Ray, Pike County, University of Pikeville
  32. Shandi Ridner, Pulaski County, Baptist Health
  33. Brittany Rogers, Powell County, Whitaker Bank
  34. Devon Skeens, Knott County, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of KY, Inc.
  35. Kaitlin Smith, Boyd County, UK King's Daughters
  36. Bryce Stephens, Clark County , Christian Appalachian Project, Inc.
  37. Christian Turner, Boyd County, WSAZ
  38. Chris Wagers, Laurel County, CHI – Saint Joseph Health, Saint Joseph London

LG&E-KU
Toyota
Brown-Forman
Norton Healthcare
Pikeville Medical Center
Kentucky Power
US Bank
RunSwitch PR
Stites & Harbison, PLLC
Republic Bank
Whitaker Bank
Putting Kentuckians First and Reentry with the Kentucky Office Of Adult Education and the Education and Labor Cabinet
Truist
CHI St Joseph Healthcare
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Forcht Broadcasting Radio & Digital
Delta Dental
Whitaker Bank Foundation
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Tennessee Valley Authority
AT&T Kentucky
Baptist Health System Foundation
Dean Dorton
Humana Foundation
BE NKY Growth Partnership