Kentucky leaders share insights for career development at Inaugural Kentucky Young Professionals Summit

The Kentucky Chamber hosted more than 300 young leaders from across the Commonwealth for the Inaugural Kentucky Young Professionals Summit on Tuesday in Louisville for networking, professional and leadership development, and celebrating the Chamber’s first-ever Young Professional of the Year award recipient.

Jacqueline Pitts, senior vice president of communications and marketing for the Kentucky Chamber, shared that the Chamber launched a major plan for our Commonwealth’s future called “Kentucky’s Winning Strategy,” a unifying plan to make Kentucky the best state in the nation to live, work, and do business. She said a key part of that plan is focused on talent attraction and retention to grow Kentucky and that is why it is essential to engage young professionals.

She said that looking around the state, the next generation of leaders is now taking the reins in many areas, including public office and the leadership teams of top organizations, and the future is bright for young leaders in Kentucky.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg welcomed the group by emphasizing the importance of building a community that attracts and retains young professionals.

“We want Louisville to be that destination for not just people who are born here but for those across the country,” he said.

Greenberg spoke on the key economic priorities he has pledged for Louisville’s future and encouraged each person to work together to make Kentucky a safer, stronger, and healthier state for all and future generations. He also highlighted young leaders in Louisville, including some of the speakers of the Summit, who are making an incredible impact on the community.

Keynote: A Conversation with Teddy Abrams

Grammy Award winner Teddy Abrams, music director of the Louisville Orchestra, shared his career journey in music, what brought him to Kentucky, and much more.  

Abrams said knew he had an interest in music from a young age, particularly after picking up the clarinet for the first time. When he went to an orchestra performance in San Francisco at age 9, he knew he wanted to be a conductor immediately. Afterward, he wrote a lengthy letter to the conductor. A few days later, he received a letter back providing extraordinary advice on how to listen and how to grow in music. He said that the act of generosity from one of the greatest musicians at the time felt like permission to pursue his passion.

When asked to detail the job of a conductor, he said “a great conductor can inspire people to play better together than alone. If a good conductor can give some sense of inspiration, everyone will play better. It’s a response to energy. My job is to make sure everyone plays their best, individually or collectively.”

He emphasized his passion for ensuring music makes an impact on the community. “There’s no better symbol for humanity than an orchestra. It’s an example of when people bring their best talents, intentions, and capability and allow something greater to take the fold.”

Keynote: A Conversation with Chris Ratterman

Shady Rays Founder and CEO Chris Ratterman shared his career journey from his side bedroom to becoming a major sunglass brand headquartered in Louisville.

He detailed how he grew the brand while working full-time in marketing and getting his Master’s in Business Administration. He said he focused on putting money back into advertising through Facebook, SnapChat and TikTok at a time when advertising on social media platforms was an innovative approach. He focused on finding the right customers and implemented a unique product replacement policy that created value for the brand. He said he always puts the customer first when making decisions.

When asked what advice he has for young professionals, he said “I think that figuring out ways to have more visibility, experiences, and career tracks is beneficial. People should really take the time to explore different options. Take the time to think longer term. Making yourself think long-term is very productive.”

He also shared the ways he thinks Kentucky is a great place to start a brand. People told him he needed to move to other places to grow his brand, but he said the internet has made things easier through remote work. He also emphasized Kentucky’s accessibility for travel and distribution.

Young CEOs

A panel of Kentucky Chamber Board leaders detailed their diverse career journeys to becoming the CEOs of top education, health care, and supply chain companies in the Commonwealth at a young age.  

Each panelist spoke about the impact that mentorship has had in each of their careers and encouraged young professionals to find a mentor who will be a champion for them and their careers.

Kentucky Community & Technical College System President Dr. Ryan Quarles decided to run for the state legislature at age 24, which is the earliest age a Kentuckian can hold this office. He spoke on how this experience shaped the rest of his career, and how his young age worked to his advantage.

“People find it refreshing when you bring them ideas instead of insults during campaigns. You’re not always awarded for that. I’ve always wanted to be the thought leader, and I don’t think age makes a difference,” said Dr. Quarles.

As the coronavirus pandemic caused a lot of companies to shift to more hybrid settings, the panelists shared ways young professionals can advance their work and set themselves apart.

“Be in the room as much as you can be in the room, be at the table as much as you can be at the table, and be a sponge,” said Aetna Better Health of Kentucky CEO Paige Franklin, who became CEO at the age of 34.

“Events like this are very important in your career. Exposing yourself and putting yourself in situations that you may be hesitant to put yourself in is very important,” said HJI Supply Chain Solutions President Condrad Daniels.

It Starts with You

Motivational speaker for the Trust Architect Group Justin Patton led an interactive discussion on personal leadership.  

He asked attendees to say who they are at their best. He went on to say that as he provides leadership development for professionals across the nation, one of the top pieces of advice he shared is that “our job in life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”

During his presentation, he shared that the top trait that holds leaders back is ego. He defined ego as “any fear-based thought that pulls someone out of the truth of who they are” and said those in leadership positions must understand the liabilities and strengths that come with it.

Developing Your Brand from Day One

Peggy Noe Stevens, a professional and personal consultant, master bourbon taster, and experience maker, framed her conversation around ensuring professionals think about their personal brand in the same way a marketer thinks of a global brand like Nike, Coca-Cola, or Starbucks.

Stevens emphasized the importance of authenticity and self-awareness when building a personal brand and professional presence. As a consultant, Stevens said clients ask her what they need to change about themselves. She always turns the table back on them and asks, “What are you going for?”

Stevens encouraged professionals to take a personal inventory, which includes seeking feedback, asking themselves what they do best, and deciding how to show up every day with their brand in mind.

Though everyone’s brand is different, Stevens said that professionals must ensure they show their authenticity and present their best selves.

Business Meal Etiquette

Kentucky Chamber Board Member Les Fugate, vice president, and director of state and local public affairs at Brown-Forman, provided education on etiquette surrounding business events and meals.

“It’s about business. The meal is not about fuel for your body, but fuel for your business soul,” Fugate said. “Introductions are critical. If you have a bad introduction, the chances of making that connection go down considerably. First impressions are lasting impressions; you want to make the best first impression you can.”

He also detailed the various professional practices for table seating, the way a table should be set, the way food is passed, and the etiquette for eating.

Closing out the Summit, Young Professionals Association of Louisville Executive Director Cassidy Hyde spoke on the many ways young leaders can get engaged in their communities across the Commonwealth and encouraged attendees to capitalize on the things they learned throughout the day.