Each year, the Leadership Louisville Center’s Bingham Fellows program looks to the community to understand our greatest challenges and identify what is mission critical to create the kind of place where we all thrive. A topic is selected based on importance, urgency, and opportunity for a group of community leaders to create meaningful positive action. Interested business and community leaders apply to participate in the 11-month program to work with peers to develop solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges.
The topic for the 2026 Bingham Fellows will be – Tech-Driven, Human-Centered: Louisville’s Strategy for the AI Age
As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies rapidly transform how we live and work, cities across the globe are racing to adapt and lead. It’s evident in the 448% increase in AI job postings in the US over the past 7 years. For Louisville, this moment presents a remarkable opportunity: to establish leadership as a future-ready city that harnesses innovation to drive economic growth, attract top talent, and promote social good to expand access to opportunity.
This year’s Bingham Fellows program will explore how Louisville can strategically leverage AI and new technologies, to build smarter city infrastructure, foster entrepreneurship in the innovation economy, and modernize public sector capabilities, all while preparing our workforce for tomorrow’s jobs through people-centered innovation.
From renewing industries to reimagining economic development, we’ll ask: How do we position our city, our economy, and our people for sustained competitive advantage in the next era?
Applications for the Bingham Fellows Class of 2026 are being accepted through October 10, 2025 at www.leadershiplouisville.org/bingham-fellows. Individuals who want to experience an unmatched practicum in change management and group dynamics while using their broad knowledge base and range of experience to move the needle on this important community issue should apply. The upcoming program year will run from January through November 2026. For more information, contact Sara Bowman at (502) 753-1492 or sbowman@leadershiplouisville.org.
“Addressing Louisville’s AI and innovation opportunity requires the kind of dynamic leadership and proven results that define the Bingham Fellows program,” said Cynthia Knapek, President & CEO of the Leadership Louisville Center. “For over 30 years, the Bingham Fellows program has been recognized as a national best practice in bringing together diverse voices to solve complex issues and drive change on critical economic and social issues.”
About the Bingham Fellows program:
The Bingham Fellows program is the advanced leadership program of the Leadership Louisville Center. Created in 1988 through a $500,000 endowment from the Mary and Barry Bingham Sr. Fund, the Fellows are social entrepreneurs who have the imagination and talent needed to gather critical resources and create social change. Side by side with peers, participants work to develop dynamic and innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. The 2026 cohort will be the 34th class, and the Bingham Fellows have had an impressive track record of providing community issues with visibility and momentum.
The Fellows don’t just analyze problems — they solve them. They identify opportunities, build coalitions, and deliver results. Recent successes include CitySpots, which transforms underutilized spaces into vibrant community assets, and You Decide, Kentucky!, a statewide initiative empowering local governments to expand revenue options for community development. Since the program’s inception, Fellows have launched high-impact initiatives including OneWest (West Louisville community development), City Champs (talent attraction and retention, now managed by Greater Louisville Inc.), sustainable neighborhood library networks, and regular civic engagement forums connecting citizens with elected officials. The program’s influence extends back to the 1990s with the creation of The Housing Partnership, construction of the Presbyterian Community Center, expansion of local farmers’ markets, and numerous other community assets that continue to strengthen Louisville today.
The Bingham Fellows Class of 2025 is currently focused on the topic A Place to Call Home: Innovative Workforce Housing Solutions. Their outcomes will be announced later this year.
interested in bingham fellows?
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Nominations are open for the 2026 class, use link below to recommend someone for the program.
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About the Leadership Louisville Center:
The Leadership Louisville Center is the region’s most valuable resource for leadership development and civic engagement. With a purpose to inspire and equip leaders to be better and do better, it has graduated over 15,000 through its programs since 1979. The Center is recognized as a national best practice and is known for its dynamic programming and strong community connections. Programming includes five social impact leadership programs (Leadership Louisville, Focus Louisville, Ignite Louisville, Bingham Fellows and Encore Louisville), the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program, leadership skills training courses presented through partner brand LeadingBetter™, and events designed to connect leaders and motivate positive change. Learn more at www.leadershiplouisville.org.