Leadership Louisville Center announces its Fiscal Year 2026 Board of Directors, Kimberly Halbauer elected as Chair
Get inspired: Read our interview with Kimberly Halbauer.
You’re a graduate of the Leadership Louisville Class of 2023, serve on our Elevate Council, and have participated in similar programs in other cities. How have those experiences shaped you as a leader, and why did you want to stay connected by serving on the board?
“I gain tremendous energy from meeting new people and building meaningful relationships. Being part of the Leadership Louisville Class of 2023 allowed me to connect with forty diverse leaders across the city, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. For me, leadership is rooted in listening, learning, and growing through those differences. Leadership Louisville excels at curating cohorts that reflect the rich diversity of our community—professionally, culturally, and personally. That intentionality is why I’ve remained engaged through the Elevate Council and now through board service. It’s a privilege to contribute to an organization that continues to challenge and inspire me.”
What excites you most about stepping into the role of board chair at Leadership Louisville Center and its partner brand, LeadingBetter™?
“I’m energized by the opportunity to work alongside a passionate team and dedicated board to expand our collective impact. Leadership Louisville Center and LeadingBetter™ are uniquely positioned to shape the future of leadership in our region and beyond. I’m especially excited about the potential to elevate LeadingBetter™ as a premier resource for professional development and organizational transformation. Together, we can build on a strong foundation and explore new ways to empower leaders to lead with purpose, courage, and clarity.”
When you think about the kind of impact leaders can have—on organizations, communities, and the world—what role do you see Leadership Louisville Center playing in shaping that future?
“Leadership Louisville Center plays a vital role in equipping leaders to navigate complexity with empathy, vision, and resilience. By fostering inclusive leadership and encouraging cross-sector collaboration, the Center helps leaders become catalysts for positive change—not just within their organizations, but across the broader community. The ripple effect of that kind of leadership is powerful and lasting.”
Our purpose at Leadership Louisville Center and LeadingBetter™ is to inspire and equip leaders to be better and do better. How does that connect with your own values and vision for leadership?
“Throughout my career, I’ve focused on helping people grow and develop. I’ve had the opportunity to work across multiple lines of business within the bank, and I want my team to have similarly diverse and enriching experiences. I encourage them to lean into growth opportunities and stretch beyond what they think is possible. Leadership Louisville and LeadingBetter™ share that same commitment to growth, development, and excellence. That alignment is what makes this work so meaningful to me.”
Meet the 2026 New Board of Directors
The Leadership Louisville Center is sharing news of its fiscal year 2026 Board of Directors, including Kimberly Halbauer, of Fifth Third Bank, serving as Board Chair, Executive Committee Members, and new board members. The board is responsible for guiding the Center, and partner brand LeadingBetter™, in achieving strategic direction and fulfilling the vision and mission of the organizations.
“Kim’s exceptional leadership and deep commitment to our community make her an ideal Board Chair for Leadership Louisville Center,” said Cynthia Knapek, President and CEO of Leadership Louisville Center and LeadingBetter™. “Her extensive experience in building talent, fostering economic growth, and championing community investment aligns perfectly with our mission. As we launch our new strategic plan this year and continue growing our LeadingBetter partner brand, Kim’s guidance will be instrumental in helping us expand our impact. She understands the vital connection between developing strong leaders and creating a thriving Louisville, and we’re honored to have her guiding our board during this exciting chapter.”
LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE CENTER FY2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (View photos at this link)
The fiscal year 2026 Board Chair is: Kimberly Halbauer, Regional President – Kentucky, Fifth Third Bank
Other elected officers serving as executive committee are:
- Chair-Elect: Brad Smith, Regional Market Leader – Central Region, Cherry Bekaert
- Secretary/Treasurer: Mike Fine, Partner, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs PLLC
- Vice Chair: Kristen Byrd, Regional President, PNC Bank
- Vice Chair: Keturah Jenkins, Associate VP, Client Shared Services, Humana Inc.
- Vice Chair: Carly Launius, Global Community Relations Manager, Brown-Forman
- Vice Chair: Annie Likins, Chief People Officer, Bamboo Health
- Vice Chair: Tammy McClanahan, System VP, Hospital Based Clinics, Norton Healthcare
Ex-officio executive committee members are:
- Immediate Past Chair: Greg Pope, Louisville Office Managing Partner | EY
- Counsel: Cory Skolnick, Partner, Frost Brown Todd
Members serving on the Board of Directors:
- Katherine Armstrong, CHRO, Churchill Downs, Inc.
- John Birnsteel, CEO, Doe-Anderson
- Gabby Bruno, Director of Community Relations, Ford Motor Company
- Douglas Craddock Jr., VP of Community Engagement, University of Louisville
- Ashley Duncan, Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity, Republic Bank
- Carmen Estopare, Executive Director, Organization and Talent Development, GE Appliances
- Michael Francesconi, VP & Chief Counsel, UPS Airlines
- Rob Givens, State Director, Office for US Senator Rand Paul
- Tony Georges, CHRO, Heaven Hill
- Elaine Gravatte, Owner/CEO, The Leader’s Dance LLC
- Elisabeth S. “Libby” Gray, Managing Partner, Gray Ice Higdon PLLC
- Philip Imber, Director Environmental & Federal Regulatory Compliance, LG&E and KU Energy
- Christi Lanier-Robinson, EVP, Communications & Strategic Partnerships, LDG Development
- Gretchen Leiterman, Chief Operating Officer, Baptist Healthcare Louisville
- Lance Mann, Assurance Director and Louisville Market Leader, Dean Dorton
- Jill Wilcox, Kentucky Market Executive, JPMorgan Chase
- Staci Woods, Chief Growth & Experience Officer, Trilogy Health Services
Ex-officio directors:
- Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Louisville Inc.
- Sam Draut, President, YPAL
- Dana Bynum Mayton, Deputy Mayor, Louisville Metro Government
- Lyndon Pryor, President & CEO, Louisville Urban League
About Board Chair, Kimberly Halbauer, Regional President – Kentucky, Fifth Third Bank
Kim Halbauer serves as Regional President of Fifth Third Bank, National Association (Kentucky), where she leads the strategic direction and growth of the Bank’s Commercial, Wealth & Asset Management, and Consumer businesses.
With more than 35 years of experience at Fifth Third, Kim has built her career on delivering exceptional value to clients and driving meaningful community impact. She earned her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Finance and Business from Thomas More University and completed an executive leadership program at Yale University. Additionally, Kim is a 2023 graduate of the Leadership Louisville program and has served on the Center’s ELEVATE Women’s Leadership Council since 2023.
A passionate advocate for business development and community engagement, Kim serves on numerous boards in addition to the Leadership Louisville Center. These include the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Louisville Economic Development Alliance, Greater Louisville, Inc., Endeavor and Fund for the Arts. A native of Northern Kentucky, she lives in Louisville with her husband, four daughters, and two grandchildren.