Focus Louisville: An Experience of Connection, Insight, and Civic Inspiration

Join us in celebrating these leaders who are now better equipped to drive impact in their workplaces and beyond.

Louisville is stronger when its leaders are connected, informed, and inspired to make a difference. That’s the heart of Focus Louisville, the Leadership Louisville Center’s immersive 2 ½-day community leadership experience. This program brings together leaders from across industries to gain insight into the city’s key institutions, build meaningful relationships, and develop the leadership mindset needed to drive positive change. This program is made possible thanks to Ford Motor Company, the presenting sponsor of Focus Louisville, and DMLO, a supporting sponsor.

Over the course of 2 ½ days, the September 2025 Focus Louisville cohort stepped into experiences that opened their eyes to new perspectives and deepened their civic understanding. From walking tours of Louisville’s history with Dr. Tom Owen, to conversations on leading across differences with Aaron Miller, to learning directly from leaders in government, economic development, safety, education, and social service. The program provided a 360° view of the city.

Participants explored JCPS schools and local nonprofits like Dare to Care, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Home of the Innocents, and Gilda’s Club of Kentuckiana. Many described these visits as the most impactful moments of the program—where statistics turned into stories, and challenges became opportunities to act.

One graduate shared, “Focus Louisville makes community a reality and opens your eyes to ways to become a part of something bigger than yourself.” Another reflected, “Focus Louisville filled my cup. I spend so much time shaking my head at the news and feeling anxious about the future. Through this program, I was able to meet people, learn about organizations, and discover new parts of our city that give me hope.”

At the heart of the experience were the connections made. Participants spoke of side conversations that sparked collaboration, of friendships formed, and of a powerful reminder that Louisville’s greatest strength lies in its people. As one graduate put it: “Every Louisvillian, whether new or native, should experience the city through the lens and community of Focus Louisville.”

The 2 ½ days also served as a catalyst for action. Inspired participants shared commitments to volunteer with local nonprofits, get more involved with schools, contribute their time, talent, and treasure, and even pursue nonprofit board leadership. “Yes! Focus Louisville showed me the power of community,” one participant wrote. Another added, “This experience far surpassed other leadership programs I’ve completed. The team at the Leadership Louisville Center has really distilled the most important aspects of what these programs are supposed to accomplish—and they hit it out of the park.”

As President & CEO, Cynthia Knapek often reminds us, “Community leadership is the antidote to division. It helps leaders find common ground, build relationships, and create the kind of collaboration that moves Louisville forward.”

The newest Focus Louisville alumni leave the program not just more informed but inspired. They carry forward a renewed commitment to civic engagement and the belief that no action is too small to spark change. Together, they join a growing network of leaders determined to shape a stronger, more united Louisville.

Congratulations to these leaders—now better equipped to inspire change and lead with impact in Louisville and beyond!

• Alexandra Aguilar, Colonel Relations Coordinator, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
• Erika Billingsley, Account Manager, The Vimarc Group
• Malia Bowman, Community and Event Support Manager, Amplify Louisville
• Katie Cadena, Director of Visitor Services, Kentucky Derby Museum
• Elanna Carr, Margin & Pricing Specialist, Brown-Forman Corporation
• Courtney Eder, Chief Marketing Officer, Republic Bank & Trust Company
• Olivia Estright, Reporter, Louisville Business First
• Jessica Fink, Compliance Officer, Workwell Industries
• Amalia Gamez Guerra, Senior Data Analyst, Louisville Metro Government
• Keith Hatten, Communications Specialist, Louisville Metro Government
• Vivian Hoke Dettlinger, Manager, Centric Consulting
• Daniel Hunt, Photographer, UofL Health
• Esperance Ibuka, Development Director, Gate of Hope
• Rhonda Jones, Business Coach & Entrepreneur, Kentucky Small Business Development Center SBDC
• Zachary Jones, Planner II, Office of Planning
• Isaac Karikari, Deputy Clerk, Kentucky Court of Justice
• Laura Kenning, Director of Operations, Amplify Louisville
• Mohamed Kerow, Resettlement Manager, Catholic Charities of Louisville, Inc.
• Jessi Kirby, Assistant Account Executive, Tandem Public Relations
• Shirrod Le’Det, Director & Professor of Executive Leadership Academy, Leadership Locksmith & Growth Coach
• Sara Lopesilvero, Talent & Learning Strategist, Sara Lopesilvero Household
• Melissa Love, Finance Coordinator, Metro United Way
• Dionne McCage, Director of Quality Assurance and Case Management Services, YMCA Safe Place Sevices
• Haylee McEvoy, Director of Digital Engagement & Strategy, Greater Louisville Inc. | GLI
• Melanie Reason, Senior Planner, Louisville Metro Government
• Maggie Rhoads, Senior Account Executive, RunSwitch PR
• Anthony Richardson, Executive Director, Inside the Lines Training, Inc.
• Jeffrey Rodgers, Police Sergeant, Louisville Metro Police Department
• Alex Russ, Staff Accountant, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative | OVEC
• Andy Scardino, Open to work, Andy Scardino Household
• Destiny Stewart, Audit Senior Associate, PwC | PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Lexi Stewart, Philanthropy Manager, Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana
• Shanky Vad, Vice President of Human Resources, Galen College of Nursing
• Jim Vaselopulos, Founder, Rafti Advisors
• Patrick Wells, Managing Associate, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP
• Jennifer Williams, CEO, Middletown Chamber of Commerce
• Kelly Zimmerer, Associate, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

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?

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Want to send multiple employees from your organization?

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