DISCOVER LOUISVILLE. BUILD CONNECTIONS. LEAD WITH PURPOSE.

Focus Louisville is the Experience Louisville’s Top Leaders Recommend

For 2.5 days, Focus Louisville will take you behind the scenes of our city like never before. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, this immersive experience will connect you with the people, places, and challenges shaping Louisville’s future.

You’ll engage with top leaders, explore key industries, and visit sites that make an impact—all while building meaningful relationships with other leaders in business, nonprofit, and civic sectors. This isn’t just a program; it’s a launchpad for those who want to make a difference and lead with purpose.

With over 6,800 graduates since 1985, Focus Louisville fuels leadership, engagement, and retention. It is a wise investment in your leadership journey and a great way to engage and retain your top talent.

• Expand Your Network – Connect with like-minded professionals across industries.  Nearly 80% of graduates report an expanded and diversified network through Focus Louisville.
• See Louisville Like Never Before – Get exclusive access to key institutions, businesses, and community initiatives. Gain insights from the city’s most influential voices.
• Turn Knowledge into Action – Learn how you can personally contribute to making our city even stronger.
• Find your Why – 93% of Focus Louisville graduates over the past 10 years feel more connected to our community and a stronger sense of belonging.

Focus Louisville is an immersive 2 ½-day program that introduces participants to the leaders, institutions, and issues shaping Louisville, giving them the knowledge and network to lead with greater influence.

A recent survey of Focus Louisville from the past 10 years found that they were impacted by the program in these ways:

• 93% – Felt more connected to our community and a stronger sense of belonging as a result
• 78% – Diversified their local network by building relationships with classmates and other leaders
• 80% – Increased their likelihood to participate in local community events and initiatives
• 71% – Have a stronger desire to live and work in the Louisville area

The Focus Louisville program allows participants to experience Louisville through an entirely new lens. Participants will:

• Obtain a deeper understanding of Louisville’s extraordinary history, culture, business and economy, arts and government.
• Participants in Focus Louisville develop skills around leading across differences, which can enhance their ability to lead teams, manage projects, and drive business success.
• Gain inspiration through a hands-on-learning experience of Louisville’s past, present, and potential future.
• Create new friendships, new ideas and new perspectives from a diverse group of people within our community.

Participation in Focus Louisville also strengthens applications for Leadership Louisville Center’s competitive selection cohort programs.

Focus Louisville is perfect for professionals and executives who are new to Louisville or looking to increase their sense of belonging, eager to connect with like-minded professionals across industries, ready to engage with key influencers, and looking for ways to contribute to making our city even stronger.

Ideal Focus Louisville candidates are:

• Professionals of all levels and industries including executives, young professionals, managers, business owners, nonprofit directors, and senior business leaders at major corporations.
• Individuals who are seeking more civic engagement, wanting to expand networks personally and professionally, and are ready to take their place as a community leader.

This program is 2 ½ days, lasting from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. – noon on Saturday. To get the most out of the program, participants are expected to attend the program in its entirety, so please check your calendar to ensure the dates work for your schedule prior to submitting your registration.

Investing in your team’s professional development is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your organization. From new managers to senior executives, sponsoring your team members to participate in Focus Louisville will not only enhance their leadership skills and community engagement but also foster a culture of growth and well-being within your company. With thousands of graduates and a 35+ year track record, Focus Louisville is the fast-track to impact.

1. Building Connections: In Focus Louisville, leaders gain a deeper understanding of the local community while connecting with other local leaders and professionals, expanding their networks and potential for partnerships and collaborations.
2. Leadership Development: Participants in Focus Louisville develop skills around leading across differences, which can enhance their ability to lead teams, manage projects, and drive business success.
3. Attraction and Retention: Investing in employees’ professional development shows you value their growth, and engaged employees are more likely to stay with their company and contribute positively to its success. 71% of Focus Louisville graduates have a stronger desire to live and work in Louisville.
4. Improved Well-being: 93% of Focus Louisville graduates report they feel more connected to our community and have a stronger sense of belonging. Participation in civic activities is proven to provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is linked to reduced burnout and improved overall well-being.

Tuition for Focus Louisville is $900. This includes meals and materials.

Organizations can save when registering a group of people for one or more Focus Louisville sessions through our Leadership Pathways program. Contact Paul Bolton, pbolton@leadershiplouisville.org, to learn more about our Pathways program and save on group registrations.

Organizations can save when registering a group of people for one or more Focus Louisville sessions through our Leadership Pathways program. Contact Paul Bolton, pbolton@leadershiplouisville.org, to learn more about our Pathways program and save on group registrations.

Limited tuition assistance is available for nonprofits and small business professionals. To request tuition support for Focus Louisville, complete this form. Tuition support will only be considered before registration. Have questions about tuition support? Contact Sara Bowman at sbowman@leadershiplouisville.org or call (502) 753-1492 for more information.

Focus Louisville offers four classes each year, each comprised of around 50 participants.