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Leadership Louisville Center

Celebrating the 158th Focus Louisville Class!

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Focus Louisville: Building the Connected Leader Advantage

In just 2.5 days, Focus Louisville brings together accomplished executives, founders, and senior leaders from across business, government, education, and the nonprofit sector to build civic intelligence, cross-sector fluency, and emotionally intelligent leadership.

Even highly experienced leaders can unknowingly operate inside industry silos. Focus Louisville breaks open that tunnel vision, giving participants a multi-dimensional understanding of Louisville’s systems, people, and challenges. The result is sharper judgment, fewer blind spots, and more mature leadership that delivers clear ROI for employers.

Focus Louisville Impact: What the Data Shows

  • Near-universal recommendation scores (9s and 10s) from participants
  • Consistently top ratings for overall experience and facilitation
  • Participants reported increased confidence leading across sectors and differences
  • Leaders left with greater clarity on how to engage using time, talent, voice, and leadership

Participants shared:

“Louisville expands when you do. And there is a place here for your gifts, your courage, and your leadership – if you’re willing to lean in.”

“Focus Louisville completely transformed the way I see our city—its potential, its people, and the power of collaboration. The experience empowered me to step forward with confidence and become a stronger force for positive change in our community. Thank you so much for all the work you do. I’m forever changed.”

Celebrating Our December Focus Louisville Graduates

This month, 47 accomplished leaders graduated from our December Focus Louisville cohort – the 158th class to complete the program. We are proud to recognize the leaders below for investing in their growth and Louisville’s future.

  • Bree Baldon, Health Education Specialist II, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness
  • Meredith Barnett, Digital Communications Strategist, Boxcar PR
  • Kim Broussard, Sales Manager, Kentucky International Convention Center | KICC
  • Sarah Bushman, Director of Advancement, Kentucky Opera
  • Rae Cowan, Founder, Halo Holdings
  • Shannon Cox, Finance Manager, West Chestnut Street Baptist Church
  • Chamie Deters, Principal, Chamie Deters Consulting
  • Tony Deye, Consultant, AJD LLC
  • Tyler Elliott, VP, Truist Branch Banking & Trust Co | BB&T
  • Mason Fizer, Technology Coordinator, Advance Ready Mix Concrete, Inc.
  • Camille Fort, Paralegal, Louisville Water Company
  • Damian Gallaher, Visitor Experience Manager, Angel’s Envy Distilling
  • Jake Gammon, Financial Advisor, Fifth Third Bank
  • Reghan German, Learning Management System Specialist, Frost Brown Todd
  • Sydney Girault, Administrative Assistant, Louisville Downtown Partnership
  • Courtney Hall, Manager of Events and Engagement, Cedar Lake Foundation, Inc.
  • Beth Hallowell, Private Banking Midwest Regional Banking Director, PNC Bank
  • Zuri Harrison, Founder, HumbleBee Wellness
  • Richard Hinton, Associate Attorney, Louisville Water Company
  • Asheley Howard, Founder & CEO, Elevated Vision LLC
  • Joe Hulsey, Owner, Best In Show Branded Products
  • Grace Huneck, Executive Director, Young Professionals Association of Louisville | YPAL
  • Isaac Keller, Attorney, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
  • Will Kirk, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager, Stock Yards Bank & Trust
  • Robert Kirtland, Chief of Administrative Law, United States Army Recruiting Division, U.S. Army
  • Nicole Koestel, Creative Director, Cosmic Pixel
  • Austin Lopesilvero, Founder, Aspen Studios
  • Chuck Mann, Professional Standards Unit, Louisville Metro Police Department
  • Hattie Martin, Senior Account Executive, RunSwitch PR
  • Rachel McMahan, Director of Business Development, Park Community Credit Union
  • Cara Miracle, Branch Manager, U.S. Bank
  • Daniel Moore, General Superintendent, Messer Construction Co.
  • Jessica Noble, Tax Manager, DMLO CPAs
  • Jason Payton, Director, IT Risk and Compliance, BrightSpring Health Services
  • Jackelyn Peake, Communications Coordinator, Kosair for Kids
  • Nicole Prickett, Treasury Management Officer, PNC Bank
  • Roger Quinn, President, The Arthur S. Kling Center
  • Tanner Roberts, Audit Manager, Forvis Mazars US
  • Suzanne Roth, Head of Marketing, Bluegrass Advanced Mental Health
  • Clay Ryan, Principal, Jefferson County Public Schools | JCPS
  • Lisa Schardein, Executive Director, First Hour Grief Response, Inc.
  • Kelly Shambaugh, Founder, Blissivity, LLC
  • Shannon Shaver, Executive Producer, WLKY
  • Nathan Smith, Audit Manager, Forvis Mazars US
  • Cheryl VanAllen, EVP, Chief People Officer, Republic Bank & Trust Company
  • Ariel Williams, Director of Revenue, The Brown Hotel
  • Karen Zahaluk, Community Advocate, For Lady’s Sake

Why Employers Invest in Focus Louisville

Focus Louisville is Louisville’s fastest accelerator for civic intelligence, cross-sector awareness, and emotionally intelligent leadership. When leaders understand the city more fully, they lead organizations more wisely—and that’s good for business and for Louisville.

If you’re ready to invest in leadership that makes a difference, now is the time to act:

Know someone who should be part of the next class?

Nominate a Candidate


Want to send multiple employees from your organization?

Invest in Your Team – Register Groups

 

For more information, visit www.LeadershipLouisville.org/Focus-Louisville. External Link. Opens in new window..