2026 BRIGHT Kentucky Class includes Martin, Lawrence Co. Health Dept. rep

Leadership Kentucky Announces 2026 BRIGHT Kentucky Class

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 20, 2026) – Leadership Kentucky is proud to announce members of the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2026.

BRIGHT Kentucky, which began in 2019, was designed to empower the next generation of leaders (ages 21–40) in Kentucky’s Appalachian region. BRIGHT Kentucky drives participants toward innovation, collaboration, 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, Kentucky Power Foundation, and other generous donors.

BRIGHT Kentucky consists of five, three-day sessions providing opportunities for aspiring leaders to connect with peers, develop leadership skills, and gain inspiration to create a positive impact within their communities. The program, which runs from July through November, will take participants across Eastern Kentucky: Berea in July, Columbia/Russell Springs in August, Ashland/Morehead in September, Pikeville/Prestonsburg in October, and Middlesboro/Pineville/Harlan in November. The program kicked 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 se

1. Tiffany Boston, Wayne County, Highlands Housing Corporation

2. Casey Brock, Leslie County, Kentucky Community and Technical College System

3. Jessica Brown, Bell County, City of Middlesboro

4. Marilys Brown, Pulaski County, Bondtech Corporation

5. Nikki Burke, Boyd County, Boyd County Fiscal Court

6. Allie Bush, Rowan County, Morehead State University

7. Chris Caldwell, Pike County, Pikeville Medical Center

8. Sarah Caton Walters, Clark County, Greater Clark Foundation

9. Leah Cecil, Boyd County, Community Trust Bank

10. Ashley Dotson, Floyd County, University of Pikeville

11. Sarah Elliott, Bell County, Pineville Independent

12. Cameron Faris, Letcher County, Dreams Delivered Daily

13. Merisa Ferrell, Pike County, Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

14. Brittany Grimm, Letcher County, Kentucky Power Company

15. Taylor Helton, Perry County, Housing Development Alliance, Inc.

16. Alycia Johnson, Lincoln County, All God’s Children Kentucky

17. Joey Jones, Perry County, City of Hazard

18. Nika Larian, Perry County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)

19. Natasha Lawless, Greenup County, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central

20. Connor Link, Boyd County, Pathways

21. Brittany Lucas, Madison County, Saint Joseph East Hospital

22. Laura Markel, Greenup County, Ramey-Estep/Re-group

23. Eli Matthews, Letcher County, Double Kwik

24. Erin Maxey, Whitley County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare

25. Jeni Meyer, Floyd County, Mountain Association

26. Sarah Moorefield, Perry County, Shaping Our Appalachian Region

27. Zach Parsons, Boyd County, Russell Independent Schools

28. Jessica Pennington, MA, Rowan County, University of Kentucky

29. Cheyenne Price, Pike County, Bluegrass Care Navigators

30. Rachel Smith, Harlan County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Appalachia

31. Ruby Smith, Madison County, Fahe, Inc.

32. Jordan Stidham, Letcher County, LKLP Community Action Council

33. Rachael Thompson, Adair County, Taylor Regional Hospital

34. Courtney Walker, Lawrence County, Martin County Health Department

35. Laura Wiersema, Laurel County, Homesteaders Life Company

36. Sierra Williams, Knott County, University of Kentucky

About Leadership Kentucky

Leadership Kentucky, created in 1984 as a non-profit educational organization, brings together a diverse group of people who possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. By fostering understanding of how the state’s issues are interconnected, and by forging new relationships among community and regional leaders, Leadership Kentucky graduates bring a fresh and informed perspective to their communities and companies, serving as important participants in the unified effort to shape Kentucky’s future. The Leadership Kentucky Foundation offers four unique programs: Leadership Kentucky, ELEVATE Kentucky (for young professionals), BRIGHT Kentucky (for next generation Eastern Kentucky leaders) and New Executives to Kentucky (for senior level executives who have lived in the state for less than two years). For more information, please visit leadershipky.org or email lky@leadershipky.org.

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