Participants Recognize Darren Dannelly as the 2025 Lisa Murrell Award Recipient

Leadership Kentucky today announced that the Class of 2025 graduated on Wednesday, December 10. Fifty-two distinguished leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and honor classmate Darren Dannelly, recipient of the 2025 Lisa Murrell Award.

Since its founding in 1985, Leadership Kentucky has equipped graduates with an enlightened and informed perspective, empowering them to serve in their communities and companies as catalysts in the unified effort to Improve our State.

During the ceremony, Darren Dannelly, President and CEO of the Center for Courageous Kids, was recognized as the recipient of the 2025 Lisa Murrell Award. The Center for Courageous Kids is a fully accessible camp dedicated to enriching the lives of children navigating medical conditions.

The Lisa Murrell Award is presented annually in loving memory of Lisa Murrell, a member the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2008. Selected by their peers, the award recipient is a current class member who embodies the spirit of Lisa: Courage, Compassion, Dedication, and Selflessness.

In choosing Dannelly, his classmates shared, “Darren’s spirit has quietly strengthened our class in the same way he has long served the Center for Courageous Kids, with humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to others. Whether supporting children and families through his work with the Center for Courageous Kids or encouraging classmates throughout our Leadership Kentucky journey, Darren consistently shows what it means to lead with courage, kindness, and selflessness, embodying the legacy of Dr. Lisa Murrell in every way.”

“I have had the pleasure of spending the last seven months with these leaders and have been so impressed with their engagement, leadership skills, and interest in learning about our Commonwealth with its numerous opportunities as well as challenges,” said Janice Way, Leadership Kentucky President and CEO. “Through the Leadership Kentucky program, they have gained tremendous insight, experienced Kentucky in a unique way, and built lasting relationships that will serve them well for many years to come. And, this year, we had the opportunity to recognize one of our state’s leaders, Darren, and we look forward to witnessing his impact in the years to come.”

The class of 2025 included 52 participants representing a variety of public and private sectors. Leadership Kentucky congratulates the following:

1. Todd Alcott, City of Bowling Green, Warren County
2. Kelly Armour, Owensboro Health, Daviess County
3. Whitney Austin, Whitney/Strong Organization, Jefferson County
4. Cheryl Besl, BE NKY Growth Partnership, Kenton County
5. Kenny Boyd, Baptist Health System, Inc., McCracken County
6. Christina Briggs, UK HealthCare Kentucky Children's Hospital, Fayette County
7. Troy J. Broussard, AARP, Jefferson County
8. Candra Bryant, Hanna Resource Group, LLC, Fayette County
9. Kenneth Calloway, Century Aluminum Company, Ohio County
10. Alisha D. Chaffin, Private Family Office, Fayette County
11. Caroline Clark, Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities (LG&E/KU), Jefferson County
12. Miranda Click, Pikeville Medical Center, Inc., Floyd County
13. Elizabeth Combs, Whitaker Bank Corporation of Kentucky, Fayette County
14. Tatum Dale, U.S. House of Representatives (Congressman Andy Barr), Fayette County
15. Darren Dannelly, Center of Courageous Kids, Allen County
16. Adam Fields, Norton Healthcare, Jefferson County
17. Renee Fister, Murray State University, Calloway County
18. Jeremy Frankforther, Fifth Third Bank, Jefferson County
19. Andrew Gillette, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Jefferson County
20. Jordan Haney, Thoroughbred Engineering, Fayette County
21. Jennie Haymond, Madison County Attorney's Office & Davis & Haymond, P.S.C., Madison County
22. Lauren Hogan, Associated General Contractors of Kentucky, Franklin County
23. Lauren Holder, Office of the Speaker- Commonwealth of Kentucky, Franklin County
24. Jamie Johnson, Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, Daviess County
25. Jesse Johnson, Community Trust Bank, Boyle County
26. Megan Johnson, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Pike County
27. Dennis Kennedy, Dressman Benzinger LaVelle, PSC, Kenton County
28. Shea Luna, Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Anderson County
29. Ryann Mabry, Planters Bank, Inc., Christian County
30. Hank Mangeot, AT&T, Jefferson County
31. Nika Mathis, Mago Construction Company, LLC, Nelson County
32. Peggy Meriedeth, City of Barlow, KY, Ballard County
33. Shannon Moody, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Jefferson County
34. Gwenda Motley, Bell Hooks Memorial Fund, Christian County
35. Elizabeth Griffith Mudd, Kentucky Lake Economic Development, Marshall County
36. Wes Needham, Duke Energy, Kenton County
37. Michael Ramage, Murray State University, Calloway County
38. Adam Roland, CHNK Behavioral Health, Kenton County
39. Dusty Roll, AEP Kentucky Power Company, Boyd County
40. Brenda Russell, God's Pantry of Pulaski County, Inc., Pulaski County
41. Kathey G. Sanders, Kentucky Historical Society Foundation, Franklin County
42. Sonia Sanders, Kentucky State University, Franklin County
43. Brady Shultz, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Montgomery County
44. Christy Spitser, CHI Saint Joseph Health, Laurel County
45. Andrew Steele, Boyd County Tourism and Convention Bureau, Boyd County
46. Ben Stinnett, BFW/Marcum Engineering and Consulting, Calloway County
47. Jamie Thacker, East Kentucky Network, Floyd County
48. Christa Turner, Humana, Shelby County
49. Kenneth Webb, Republic Bank, Kenton County
50. Lori Werth, University of Pikeville, Pike County
51. Damon Williams, University of Kentucky, Fayette County
52. Tami Wilson, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Boone County

Leadership Kentucky joins together a diverse group of leaders, with a variety of career accomplishments and volunteer activities, to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. In a series of seven monthly, three-day sessions held at various locations throughout the state, participants meet with Kentucky leaders and explore the state’s resources and opportunities. The leadership curriculum educates participants on Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and unique diversity.

The year’s program ran June through December and took the class across the state: Berea in June, Pikeville in July, Paducah/Eddyville in August, Louisville in September, Bowling Green/Hopkinsville in October, Northern Kentucky in November, and Central Kentucky in December. The sessions covered topics ranging from business and economic development, racial equity and social justice, arts and tourism, natural resources and the environment, education, healthcare, agriculture, and government.

Nominations and applications for the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026 will be available online at leadershipky.org in January 2026.