LEAD WITH INSIGHT. CONNECT WITH PURPOSE. SHAPE OUR CITY’S FUTURE. 

Leadership Louisville is Louisville’s longest-running civic leadership program with over 45 years of impact. Unlike classroom-based programs, we offer immersive, experiential learning rooted in community context. The program focuses on building both leadership skills AND deep understanding of local systems and issues. Our competitively selected, diverse cohort of 60-65 senior leaders creates unmatched peer learning opportunities. Graduates join thousands of alumni who continue to shape the region’s future through ongoing collaboration and service.

Leadership Louisville is designed around active, experiential learning:

• Participate in a 3-day/2-night opening retreat to build class cohesion and set personal goals.
• Attend monthly full-day themed sessions exploring education, economic development, nonprofits, government, healthcare, arts and culture, and more.
• Experience behind-the-scenes site visits to major civic, business, and nonprofit institutions across Greater Louisville and a trip to the state capitol in Frankfort.
• Engage in facilitated dialogues on Louisville’s most pressing issues with top leaders and subject-matter experts.
• Participate in workshops on conflict management, leading across differences, and creating cultures of belonging.
• Take part in a day-long simulated society experience that will change how you see community leadership and decision-making.
• Develop an action plan for your future community involvement and civic leadership.

Organizations that invest in Leadership Louisville see returns through:

• Enhanced Leadership Skills: Participants gain advanced competencies in collaboration, systems thinking, and managing conflict that directly improve organizational performance.
• Retention and Engagement: Employees connected to their community report higher job satisfaction and loyalty. Alumni often become more engaged ambassadors for their employers.
• Cross-Sector Insights: Participants bring back new partnerships, ideas, and perspectives from peers across industries that drive innovation.
• Visibility and Recognition: Organizations demonstrate civic leadership and commitment to the region’s success through visible participation in this prestigious program.
• Employee Well-Being: Deep community engagement fosters fulfillment and purpose, helping reduce burnout and strengthen leadership resilience.

Ideal Leadership Louisville participants include:

• Senior-level leaders from all sectors: business, nonprofit, education, healthcare, and government who are ready to generate meaningful social impact and contribute to the region’s growth and success.
• Individuals with a demonstrated record of leadership through their work or civic engagement. This includes those who may have a senior title in their organization or hold a senior position in their community and demonstrate leadership through their work and service.
• Leaders seeking to strengthen their capacity to collaborate across sectors and address community challenges, including professionals interested in honing skills for navigating complex conversations and leading across differences.
• Established Louisvillians ready to renew their civic commitment and increase community involvement.
• Executives new to Louisville who want to connect quickly and meaningfully to the region’s networks and issues.
• Participants committed to the full program: Leadership Louisville requires dedication. You must be able to attend the mandatory 3-day/2-night opening retreat and commit the necessary time and energy to complete the entire 10-month program.

We select a diverse cohort of 60-65 participants representing Louisville’s full spectrum of sectors and communities, including leaders from companies and organizations of all sizes, from startups and entrepreneurs to large established institutions. Diversity of race, gender, background, and geography is essential to creating the rich learning environment that makes this program transformative.

Leadership Louisville strengthens critical competencies for today’s complex environment:

• Systems Thinking: Understand the interconnected forces shaping Louisville’s challenges and opportunities across sectors.
• Leading Across Differences: Navigate difficult conversations and build bridges across sectors, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Conflict Management: Foster collaboration and find common ground in complex environments where stakeholders have competing interests.
• Civic Leadership: Gain confidence and practical knowledge to serve effectively on boards and in community initiatives.
• Relationship Building: Create authentic connections that transcend professional silos and expand both personal and civic networks.
• Personal Purpose: Reconnect to your values and discover how your leadership can make a meaningful difference in the community.

Yes! Leadership Louisville is ideal for executives new to the region who want to connect quickly and meaningfully to Louisville’s networks, issues, and opportunities. The program serves both established professionals seeking to deepen their civic commitment after years in Louisville and newer leaders looking to fast-track their community integration. Both benefit tremendously from the diverse cohort experience and the comprehensive understanding of how our region works.

The Leadership Louisville program runs for 10 months. The experience includes a mandatory overnight opening retreat, and one full program day per month. Please check the program calendar to ensure the dates work for your schedule prior to submitting an application.

The Leadership Louisville Center programs have attendance policies to ensure the best possible experience for all participants. If program sessions are not attended, it impacts the experience of everyone in the program.

Program tuition is non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal or dismissal.

General Attendance Rules

• Mandatory Sessions: Missing a mandatory session (such as an opening day or retreat) in whole or in part will result in automatic dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition.
• Allowed absences: For non-mandatory sessions, full-day and partial-day absences are both counted. Time away from a program day will be tracked, and 8 hours total equals one (1) absence. Each program specifies how many absences are allowed.
• Exceeding allowed absences: If you exceed the absence limit for your program, your continued participation will be reviewed by the Leadership Louisville Center Board of Directors. You must petition the Board in writing within 30 days of notification, explaining the reasons for your absences. Failure to petition will result in dismissal.
• Consecutive absences: Consecutive absences beyond the program’s limit will result in automatic dismissal.

Leadership Louisville Attendance Policy

• The August opening retreat must be attended in full. Missing any part will result in automatic dismissal and forfeiture of tuition.
• Outside of mandatory sessions, two (2) excused absences are allowed.
• A third absence triggers review by the Board of Directors.
• If approved to continue, a fourth absence will result in dismissal.
• Three consecutive absences will result in dismissal.

Tuition for Leadership Louisville is $6,500. This includes overnight lodging, meals, and materials. Tuition support can be requested if cost is a barrier, this request is part of the application.

Our selection committee considers experience, community service, responses to essay questions, and approval from your employer/supervisor. The application consists of two parts:

• Submit your online application. Applications for the 2027 class are now open, the deadline to apply is May 8, 2026.
• Upload a high-quality photo (headshot). Please submit a photo that is at least 1200px wide and at least 200 pixels per inch resolution. The photo may be uploaded at the link at the bottom of this page

Applications are considered complete once all components of the application have been received by the Leadership Louisville Center, the deadline to apply is May 8, 2026.

A selection committee determines which applicants will be invited to participate in the Leadership Louisville Program, and all applicants will receive notification of their status in June with all welcome materials. 

The program will launch in August with a mandatory opening retreat. The public announcement of the class occurs at this time.