In June, 41 principals across the Commonwealth graduated from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals program, a year-long executive-level leadership training course usually reserved for the nation’s top CEOs.
The Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals offers public and private school principals in Kentucky the opportunity to receive powerful individual leadership training provided by the Truist Leadership Institute, customized to meet the specific leadership development needs of school administrators.
Throughout 12 years of the program, the Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals has invested over $3.8 million to train over 520 elementary, middle, and high school principals, impacting over 111 counties and 2,960,000 students in Kentucky.
Incoming Commissioner of Education Dr. Robbie Fletcher spoke to the graduating principals to express his support and advice. He stressed the importance of servant leadership and the value of listening and challenging others.
During the Leadership Institute graduation ceremony, elected class speaker Jana Osborne, principal of Catlettsburg Elementary School, detailed her experience throughout the program. She described the program as magic and shared the meaning behind each letter: memories, appreciation, genuine, impact, and challenge.
Jarrod Hankins of Webster County High School also spoke on his experience, thanking Truist, the Foundation, and program donors for allowing the principals to participate in this special program and make lasting connections with peers and business leaders across Kentucky.
Below are the principals that graduated from the Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals in 2024:
- Morgan Adkins, Bourbon County High School, Bourbon County
- Matthew Bartley, Bardstown Middle School, Nelson County
- Dionna Bickley, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Bullitt County
- Beth Blandford, Foust Elementary School, Daviess County
- Eric Bristol, Freedom Elementary School, Bullitt County
- Brandi Carney, Wellington Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Lesley Chadwell, Zoneton Middle School, Bullitt County
- Julie Chancellor, Doss High School, Jefferson County
- Brian Conley, Magoffin County High School, Magoffin County
- Charlie Cox, Washington County High School, Washington County
- Kimberlee Coyle, Berea Community Elementary School, Madison County
- Elizabeth Dant, Buckner Elementary School, Oldham County
- Ricky Dudgeon, Jr., Ben Johnson Elementary School, Breckinridge County
- Stacey Fish, Henderson South Middle School, Henderson County
- Shanda Gay, Robertson County School, Robertson County
- Courtney Grace, Hazelwood Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Jenna Gray, iLEAD Academy, Carroll County
- Jarrod Hankins, Webster County High School, Webster County
- Brandon Hayes, Irvington Elementary School, Breckinridge County
- Tonya Holt, Overdale Elementary School, Bullitt County
- Audra Hoofnagle, Elkhorn Middle School, Franklin County
- Jodi Johnson, Millcreek Elementary School, Fayette County
- Brittany Joiner, Old Mill Elementary School, Bullitt County
- Richae Logan, Bardstown Alternative School, Nelson County
- Kristi Lynch, North Bullitt High School, Bullitt County
- Travis Manley, Montgomery County Area Tech Center, Montgomery County
- Stan Nicely, Wallins Elementary School, Harlan County
- Jana Osborne, Catlettsburg Elementary School, Boyd County
- Kate Ray, McDaniel Learning Center, Laurel County
- Patrick Reed, Hodgenville Elementary School, LaRue County
- Will Roberts, North Middle School, Henderson County
- Geco Ross, Paducah Middle School, McCracken County
- Kelly Rowe, Good Shepherd Catholic School, Franklin County
- Lori Sargent, Anne Mason Elementary School, Scott County
- Hannah Scott, Roby Elementary School, Bullitt County
- Heather Scott, Gutermuth Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Travis Scott, Ekron Elementary School, Meade County
- Tami Snyder, Morgan Elementary School, McCracken County
- Jennifer Spencer, Julius Marks Elementary School, Fayette County
- Tyson Steelman, Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School, Fayette County
- Nick Williams, Brodhead Elementary School, Rockcastle County
The Leadership Institute is provided at no cost to principals. This $18,000 training is provided to the participants through an in-kind donation of $12,500 per principal from the Truist Leadership Institute. The remaining $5,500 per principal is provided through match donations from Kentucky’s business community members.
Each year, the Leadership Institute holds an application period for the upcoming class. The Leadership Institute’s board of managers, consisting of Kentucky business leaders and school superintendents, chooses the principals. Learn more about the board at https://www.principalsleadky.com/boardofmanagers/.
Learn more about the Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals at principalsleadky.com. If you would like to be notified when the applications for the next class open, please complete the form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSKYCX9.