Leadership Kentucky Announces 2026 BRIGHT Kentucky Class
Leadership Kentucky is proud to announce members of the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2026.
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 through 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: Berea in July, Columbia/Russellville in August, Ashland/Morehead in September, Pikeville/Prestonsburg in October, and Middlesboro/Pineville/Harlan in November. The program is set to kick off on July 8 with an engaging session on understanding and maximizing the participants’ leadership style.
This year’s class includes 36 participants from 20 ARC counties representing a variety of public and private sectors. Leadership Kentucky congratulates the following members:
- Tiffany Boston, Wayne County, Highlands Housing Corporation
- Casey Brock, Leslie County, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Marilys Brown, Pulaski County, City of Middlesboro
- Jessica Brown, Bell County, Bondtech Corporation
- Nikki Burke, Boyd County, Boyd County Fiscal Court
- Allie Bush, Rowan County, Morehead State University
- Chris Caldwell, Pike County, Pikeville Medical Center
- Sarah Caton Walters, Clark County, Greater Clark Foundation
- Leah Cecil, Boyd County, Community Trust Bank
- Ashley Dotson, Floyd County, University of Pikeville
- Sarah Elliott, Bell County, Pineville Independent
- Cameron Faris, Letcher County, Dreams Delivered Daily
- Merisa Ferrell, Pike County, Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
- Brittany Grimm, Letcher County, Kentucky Power Company
- Taylor Helton, Perry County, Housing Development Alliance, Inc.
- Alycia Johnson, Lincoln County, All God's Children Kentucky
- Joey Jones, Perry County, City of Hazard
- Nika Larian, Perry County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
- Natasha Lawless, Greenup County, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central
- Connor Link, Boyd County, Pathways
- Brittany Lucas, Madison County, Saint Joseph East Hospital
- Laura Markel, Greenup County, Ramey-Estep/Re-group
- Eli Matthews, Letcher County, Double Kwik
- Erin Maxey, Whitley County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare
- Jeni Meyer, Floyd County, Mountain Association
- Sarah Moorefield, Perry County, Shaping Our Appalachian Region
- Zach Parsons, Boyd County, Russell Independent Schools
- Jessica Pennington, MA, Rowan County, University of Kentucky
- Cheyenne Price, Pike County, Bluegrass Care Navigators
- Rachel Smith, Harlan County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Appalachia
- Ruby Smith, Madison County, Fahe, Inc.
- Jordan Stidham, Letcher County, LKLP Community Action Council
- Rachael Thompson, Green County, Taylor Regional Hospital
- Courtney Walker, Lawrence County, Martin County Health Department
- Laura Wiersema, Laurel County, Homesteaders Life Company
- Sierra Williams, Knott County, University of Kentucky
