55 women leaders selected for the 2026 Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program

February 25, 2026 February 27, 2026 Leadership Louisville Center Leadership Louisville Center Back to News, Events & Leadership Insights from the Center thumbnail

Meet the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program – Class of 2026!

Fifty-five women leaders selected for the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program, the Leadership Louisville Center’s program for women leaders

Fifty-five women leaders have been selected for the fourth cohort of the Leadership Louisville Center’s Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program, presented by Republic Bank. This half-year cohort experience was established in 2023 to help mid-level women leaders master the dual role of leading others and managing up.

The curriculum – designed by women and taught by women – is centered around the Center’s Women’s Elevated Leadership Learning (WELL) Model. This model ensures participants come away Well-Grounded, Well-Voiced, Well-Connected, Well-Accomplished, and Well-Fueled. The Leadership Louisville Center is also proud to partner with Farm Credit Mid-America and Humana Inc. to present the program’s exclusive WELL curriculum. The program is named for esteemed female executive and community trustee, Alice Houston, co-founder/owner and former CEO of HJI Supply Chain Solutions.

“We know that there is still work to be done in bridging the gender gap, but we believe that it starts with providing women with skills, confidence, and connections so they can be promoted into positions of power,” said Cynthia Knapek, president and CEO of Leadership Louisville Center. “After three successful classes, we’re excited to continue growing the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program to fifty-five talented women leaders from our community, furthering their strengths and abilities alongside a blend of diverse peers.”

“Republic Bank is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program,” said Logan Pichel, President and CEO of Republic Bank. “Investing in the growth and advancement of women leaders strengthens our organizations and our community. We are honored to support a program that equips women with the skills, confidence, and connections to lead and make a lasting impact.”

Members of the 2026 Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program are:

Brittany Addison, M.S, Manager of Community Outreach, Reworld Waste
Lee Anne Alsup, Vice President of Development, West End School
Kazia Anderson, Executive Director, Mama to Mama
Cathi Bingaman, Founder/CEO, InSync with You
Tia L. Bowman, Executive Administrator, Louisville Metro Government
Cassie Cairns, Director of Impact and Advocacy, Cedar Lake Foundation, Inc.
Sarah Clark, Financial Advisor, UBS Financial Services
Camille Coltrain, Marketing & Advertising Manager, Atria Senior Living
Lee Ann Cunningham, Wealth Management Associate, Morgan Stanley
Patricia A. Davidson, Senior Director of Compliance, Trilogy Health Services LLC
Erin Estapa, Director, Strategy Advancement, Humana Inc.
Monica Farhat, Manager- Transmission Investment Planning and Reliability, LG&E and KU Energy
Jessica Fink, Regulatory Compliance and Procedures, Workwell Industries
Tami Fitzgerald, Sales & Development Leader
Tonya Fulkerson, VP, SR Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
Jenny Garcia, MSC, Director of Community Engagement, Governor’s Scholars Program
Kaitlyn Jones George, Partner, FBT Gibbons
Kiara Gray, Interim Director of Education & Youth Development, Louisville Urban League
Tabitha Grier-Reed, Dean, College of Education & Human Development, University of Louisville
Sailee Gupte, Director of Community Service, Mattingly Edge
Maria Gurren, Executive Director, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Krista Joy Hall, Director of Communications, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
Lexie Head, Founder & Managing Partner, Mercer Wealth Management
Ashley Hobbs, Director, Organic Growth Execution, United Healthcare
Monteva Hodo, Design Account Manager, Brown-Forman Corporation
Jamonica R. Horn, Sr. Beverage Architect, Flavorman
Kristina Lowe, Founder/Strategic Partner, Tripoint Strategic Group
Elizabeth Matthews, Director of Partnership Marketing, Louisville City FC | Racing Louisville FC
Barbara Webb Menefee, Co-Founder and Partner, Gunn Menefee LLC
Samantha S. Miller, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Seven Counties Services Inc.
Whitten Montgomery, Executive Director, American Lung Association
Claire Noltemeyer, Director, Programs Office, Heaven Hill Brands
Ericka L. O’Connell, Associate Director, Associate Relations, Humana Inc.
Carlie Palmer, Principal, Cerity Partners
Amy Pender, Creative Director, Weber Group
Elizabeth Penn, Senior Associate, Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP
Jennifer Platt, VP, Organizational & People Development, LifePoint Health
Holly Prather, Chief Operations Officer, Leadership Louisville Center
Lauralyn Randles, Director of Product Advancement, APH
Britt Riley, SVP, Executive Creative Director, Doe-Anderson
Stacey Rowan, Principal, Brandeis Elementary, JCPS
Amina Shale, Executive Director, More Than A Smile Foundation, Inc.
Rebecca Ann Sim, Director, Immigration Legal Services, Catholic Charities of Louisville, Inc.
DeVonne Sorel, Senior Director for Youth Development, YMCA of Greater Louisville
Elizabeth Staten, Director of Dual Credit, KCTCS
Dr. Alana Stevenson, Department Chair & Associate Professor, Simmons College of Kentucky
Martina Surma, Director of Homebuyer Education, The Housing Partnership, Inc
Symera “Gigi” Oliver Talbott, Director of Operations, OneWest Corporation
Jennifer Thornsberry, Chief Nursing Officer, Norton Healthcare
Christina Vassallo, Distillery Portfolio Director, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
Heather Waldridge, Director of Facilities Management, Trilogy Health Services LLC
Carrie Whitmore, Director, Planning Design and Construction, University of Louisville
Samantha Wilcox, Facility Rental Sales Manager, Frazier History Museum
Julia Williams, Assistant Director, Office of Planning
Carlene Wyatt, Operations Manager, HJI Supply Chain Solutions

Why This Program Matters

The Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program was created to accelerate and sustain the growth of women into positions of influence. At a time when many women are navigating the complexity of leading teams while also managing up, this program provides the structure, support, and skill-building needed to move forward with confidence.

This is more than a leadership course. It’s a transformational experience designed to sharpen confidence, expand strategic impact, and help women lead with clarity and conviction in high-stakes environments.

The Alice Houston Women’s Leadership Program is designed to accelerate and sustain the growth of mid-level women leaders into positions of greater influence. This five-month cohort experience is built on the WELL (Women’s Elevated Leadership Learning) Model and taught by women with executive and coaching experience. The program strengthens essential leadership competencies such as strategic thinking, self-awareness, negotiation, and executive presence—while building the resilience and confidence needed to thrive in complex organizational environments.

Key Features

WELL Model Curriculum: Five pillars of leadership development: WELL-GROUNDED, WELL-CONNECTED, WELL-VOICED, WELL-ACCOMPLISHED, and WELL-FUELED, designed specifically for women leaders
Real-World Application: Hands-on exercises, leadership labs, and reflective practices tied to participants’ real work and leadership context
Mentoring & Coaching: Executive mentorship plus structured peer coaching circles for guidance, insight, and accountability
Monthly Leadership Intensives: Full-day sessions focused on high-impact skills such as negotiation, strategic influence, and resilience-building

What Participants Gain

Over five months, participants engage in a structured experience that blends immersive learning, peer coaching, and executive mentorship—ensuring that growth is not just theoretical, but immediately applicable on the job.

Strategic Thinking & Influence: Gain confidence in long-term thinking, decision-making, and cross-functional leadership
Executive Presence & Voice: Learn how to command attention and inspire confidence in high-stakes conversations
Self-Awareness & Self-Confidence: Clarify your leadership values, purpose, and personal brand
Negotiation Mastery: Learn how to ask for what you want, advocate for your team, and drive outcomes
Resilience & Sustainability: Build stamina and stress-management strategies to lead with clarity, even in pressure-filled environments
Supportive Peer Network: Connect with a community of growth-minded women who lift each other up

how employers Benefit

Through the WELL Model and a combination of retreat experiences, monthly intensives, peer learning circles, and mentorship, participants don’t just learn about leadership—they practice it, refine it, and return to their organizations ready to lead at the next level.

More Effective Leaders: Participants return with sharpened tools for strategic execution, influence, and collaboration
Retention & Engagement: Women who feel seen, supported, and invested in are more likely to stay and grow with your organization
Fueling Leadership Progression: Prepare more women for senior leadership through targeted, results-driven development
Improved Communication & Culture: Graduates foster more engaged, emotionally intelligent, and high-performing teams