Chase Adams, M.S., CPBA, SHRM-CP, Director, Organizational Effectiveness and HR Leader, US Hunter Jumper Association
Chase is a Certified Facilitator with a Master's Degree in Industrial – Organizational Psychology. Chase's background in research, behavioral assessments, and data analysis allows for evidence-based business decisions. Prior to joining HRG, Chase was in HR operations in large healthcare and manufacturing companies, as well as carrying out projects and consulting work for a variety of organizations with focuses on recruitment, employee engagement, satisfaction, turnover and productivity/efficiency initiatives.
These positions allowed him to gain experience in employment law and compliance, organizational development, change management, coaching, and training, which Chase is utilizing to serve his client base.
Before his Master's in IO Psych, Chase completed a Bachelor's in Psychology at Georgetown College. Chase is also a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Sharon Allgeier, Senior Manager of Homeless Initiatives, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Sharon is a dedicated leader in workforce development and homeless outreach, serving as the Senior Manager of Another Way at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. Growing up in an orphanage in Louisville and later reconnecting with her six siblings, she experienced poverty firsthand, securing her first job at 13. Losing two brothers and her father to addiction fueled her passion for breaking barriers to employment.
With years of experience in various roles, Sharon developed Another Way to connect individuals facing homelessness to job opportunities while addressing critical needs like housing, recovery, and financial stability. What began as a small pilot has grown into a transformative workforce initiative, proving that many experiencing homelessness are ready to work—they just need the right support.
Through direct outreach in homeless camps, her team has helped countless individuals regain stability, proving that a hand up, not a handout changes lives. With a background in outreach to vulnerable populations, Sharon continues to drive solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Charles Aull, PhD, Executive Director, Center of Policy and Research, Kentucky Chamber
Charles Aull is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research where he leads the organization’s public policy and economic research initiatives. Charles holds a PhD from Indiana University and has studied at Georgetown University and the Villanova University School of Law. He has published articles, white papers, and reports on economic and public policy issues and has testified before legislative bodies on topics such as tax reform, workforce development, housing, and education.
Todd Baldwin, Vice President and Director, Center for Best Practices and Innovation, The Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence
Todd serves as Vice-President & Director of the Center for Best Practice and Innovation at the Prichard Committee, bringing over 15 years of diverse education experience spanning classroom teaching, state-level administration, and national nonprofit leadership. Previously, he worked with the National Center on Education and the Economy, supporting education leaders in system-wide improvements. As Executive Strategic Advisor at the Kentucky Department of Education, he led strategic planning for College and Career Readiness, Proficiency, Gap, and Next Generation Professionals initiatives. His career began as a classroom teacher in Tennessee and Kentucky, providing foundational insights into education's front lines. Todd holds a bachelor’s degree from Milligan College and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. His expertise in education system design, policy research, and leadership enables him to effectively bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice.
Kelly Bright, Partner and KY & TN Office Leader, Mercer
Kelley is Mercer’s Kentucky Office Leader and a Partner with the firm. She works closely with her team of professionals locally to drive Mercer’s brand in the market, helping manage client relationships and developing consulting talent. With more than 25 years of experience with global professional consulting firms, Kelley serves as a trusted advisor to her clients to help them best manage their human capital assets, and navigate the full suite of services Mercer can provide. Kelley is passionate about the promotion and advancement of diversity in the workforce and serves as the executive sponsor for multiple Business Resource Groups. She is an active volunteer serving on the Board for several non-profit organizations.
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, COO, Hanna Resource Group
Candra Bryant is the COO at Hanna Resource Group, an HR-focused consulting firm dedicated to creating thriving workplaces. In her work life, Candra leads the team in HR audits, compensation design, training programs, strategic planning, performance management, recruiting, and employee engagement initiatives. She also serves on various local and national boards, including acting as the Director for the Kentucky Best Place to Work program, where she collaborates with organizations throughout the state to cultivate engaging organizational cultures.
Armed with an MBA from Northern Kentucky University and the European Summer School of Advanced Management, along with a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College, Candra is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Society of Human Resource Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).
Vitale Buford Hardin, President & CEO, Vitale & Company
Vitale is a top leadership consultant, architect of corporate culture, and believes that “who we are is how we lead.”As a leading expert on perfectionism’s impact on corporate culture and individual performance, she works with a wide range of organizations, helping leaders overcome perfectionism and cultivate authenticity, resilience, and effective communication. A pioneer of thought leadership, Vitale has led studies revealing that 85% of workplaces foster perfectionism, affecting 86% of leaders. Overcoming her own struggles with perfectionism and addiction, she became a published author, nationally recognized speaker and an iPEC-certified executive coach. With 15 years of corporate experience, she offers custom trainings, strategic advisory and performance coaching to help her clients thrive.
Alisher Burikhanov, Executive Director, Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board
Alisher Burikhanov is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB), the state workforce board for the commonwealth. KWIB is a strategic body comprised of 51% business representatives with labor, government, education, and community-based organizations all working together to advance Kentucky’s workforce development. Having served in state government for over 5 years, Alisher enjoys the collaboration between stakeholders given his prior experience working in a fast-paced recruitment firm, at a non-profit serving refugees and immigrants, and with a veteran-owned small business in Lancaster, Kentucky.
Alisher is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky with an MBA from the Kentucky State University. Originally from a Central Asian country called Uzbekistan, Alisher has lived and worked in Kentucky’s rural and urban centers for the last two decades, and currently calls Frankfort his home with his wife and three children.
Kellie Burke, PHR, MBA, MSW, CSW, LMSW, Diverse Strategy Advancement Talent Lead, Humana
Kellie Burke is Strategy Advancement Talent Lead for Enterprise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and winner of the 2021 HEAL Award as a Social Service Professional. In this role, she oversees the creation, implementation, and ensures sustainability of a diverse talent pathway focused on the Veteran and Military Connected Talent community. She resides in Northern Kentucky on a hobby fiber farm with her husband and 3 children. Kellie is a master’s prepared social worker by trade with a MBA and clinical experience in the Care Management space. She is seeking her doctorate in Social Work from the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work and is an associate Professional with the HR Certification Institute. Kellie is recognized as a high potential, innovative organizational thought leader with experience impacting business results and culture through strategic use of collaboration, impactful conversations, and timely intervention. Prior to having the privilege of serving in the Office of DEI, she was integral in SNP leadership managing large scale program initiatives driving business results. She has experience in program development, strategic planning, therapy services, community outreach, and advocacy; as well as medical experience in the ER setting and counseling services in youth correctional facilities. Kellie is a Disney PSX Alum who serves as a member of the Social Service Advisory Council, the chair of the SSAC Communications & Community Committee, and a Lead for the Social Service Community Ambassadors. She contributes regularly as the editor of the SSCA quarterly newsletter and is the co-creator of the SSAC Avenues Podcast on Humana Radio. Kellie is a member of the ClinEd 2020 Cohort, designing CE accredited learnings surrounding trauma-informed leadership, has published trauma informed leadership articles with CMSA, and has brought prior developed learnings on effective leadership practices to the SNP leadership team. Kellie is an ally with the IMPACT NRG, a member of PRIDE NRG, and regularly engages in mentoring and leadership consultation with the WNRG including the recent privilege of assisting with the revision of the ally toolkit. Kellie is dedicated to championing culture and is impassioned to create an enterprise characterized by psychological safety by developing our next generation of business leaders.
Kaylan Caufield, MBA, Compensation Analyst, Mercer
Kaylan is a compensation consulting analyst for Mercer based in Louisville, KY. She works with a wide range of clients to help them develop and implement reward programs for their employees, providing expert advice on pay philosophy, reward strategy, incentive design, market trends, regulations and best practices. Drawing on global research and rigorous analysis, Kaylan equip clients with guidance, knowledge, tools and support to ensure their reward programs reinforce their strategic objectives. Kaylan has her Masters degree and BS in Finance from Indiana University Southeast.
Michelle DeJohn, Deputy Commissioner, Kentucky Career Center, Department of Workforce Development
In the Kentucky Career Center system, I serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. We lead Commonwealth initiatives for job seekers and businesses. The Kentucky Career Center (KCC) system provides programs and services from the Career Development Office, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Kentucky Office of Adult Education, the Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services, and the Office of Unemployment Insurance. These workforce system offices collaborate to develop new ways to help job seekers and businesses. The Kentucky Career Center aims to create a resilient, engaged, and future-oriented workforce for the Commonwealth and serve as a workforce system hub. The centers help career seekers and businesses in the workforce system. Employers can use the statewide services to help diverse businesses recruit, train, and upskill talent. Career seekers receive resume writing, interviewing skills, registered apprenticeship training, and soft skills development to succeed in their careers.
Jeric DeVore, CEO, S.P.A.R.C. Recovery
Jeric DeVore serves as the Chief Executive Officer of S.P.A.R.C. Recovery, where his vision and leadership are transforming the landscape of recovery for men struggling with substance abuse. With a focus on holistic recovery, S.P.A.R.C. integrates vocational training, employment readiness, and comprehensive support to help individuals reclaim their lives and achieve lasting success. Under Jeric’s guidance, S.P.A.R.C. has built strong partnerships with the court system and community organizations to ensure that clients receive the help they need to reintegrate into society.
Beyond his work at S.P.A.R.C., Jeric is also the Executive Director of Kentucky Recovery Vocational (KRV), a nonprofit organization focused on providing vocational training to individuals in recovery. Since February 2024, KRV has issued over 120 Certified Production Technician Safety certificates, nationally recognized, ISO-accredited credential provided through a partnership with the Manufacturers Skills Standards Council that has helped countless individuals rebuild their lives and pursue stable careers. This program, a cornerstone of KRV’s impact, equips people in recovery with tangible skills valued in industries nationwide.
Jeric’s career in workforce development spans over 12 years. He began as a WIOA Career Manager, where he gained firsthand experience in helping individuals secure employment through training and education programs. His passion for workforce solutions and community impact propelled him to positions of increasing responsibility, eventually becoming the Deputy Executive Director of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District. In this role, Jeric was instrumental in creating a regional workforce strategic plan that aligned local economic development efforts with labor market needs. His efforts have shaped policies and programs that continue to foster economic growth and community resilience.
Through his work at KRV and S.P.A.R.C., Jeric DeVore is making a tangible impact on both the recovery and workforce development sectors. His approach combines compassionate care with practical solutions, helping individuals overcome the challenges of addiction while building the skills they need to thrive in the workforce. By addressing systemic barriers like transportation and documentation, Jeric and his team are empowering people to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
As an advocate for second chances, Jeric’s dedication to workforce development is rooted in a firm belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute to their community and achieve success, regardless of their past. His leadership in recovery advocacy continues to inspire meaningful change, creating a brighter future for those impacted by substance abuse and their families. Through his multifaceted roles, Jeric DeVore is driving collaboration, innovation, and hope in the fight against the opioid crisis and beyond.
Michelle Evans, Group Manager of HR, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Michelle Evans is the group manager of human resources, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Toyota’s largest plant globally. She is responsible for leading the human resources division which supports nearly 10,000 team members at the Georgetown facility.
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor's in business administration – human resources, Evans joined Toyota in 1999 as a specialist in human resources information systems at the Erlanger, Kentucky North American manufacturing headquarters. She has worked in many aspects of human resources across multiple roles, including labor relations, communications, and team member relations, all within the manufacturing space.
Outside of Toyota, she is active in the local community serving on the board of directors for Job for America’s Graduates Kentucky, an organization that assists students in overcoming barriers so they will graduate from high school and transition successfully into the workforce.
Adam Haley, Director of Policy and Strategy, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Adam Haley is the Director of Policy and Strategy for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and has experience in state and federal health care policy. Prior to this role he previously served as a lobbyist and the executive director for multiple Kentucky nonprofit associations. In that role, he developed relationships with policymakers, health care providers and public health professionals across Kentucky. He has worked to modernize outdated licensure laws and expand access to high-quality, evidence-based care in the commonwealth. Over the course of his career, he has also led teams tasked with the creation of educational programming, which ensured providers have the training necessary to meet the ever-changing needs of Kentucky's workforce and to advocate for their patients.
Kerry Harvey, Special Advisor to the Governor – Reentry Programs, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Kerry B. Harvey serves as the Special Advisor to the Governor for Reentry Programs. He is responsible for coordinating implementation of Governor Beshear’s reentry plan, an innovative approach combining the efforts of a number of agencies across state government. Governor Beshear’s plan is designed to lower recidivism which in turn reduces crime and saves taxpayer dollars.
Prior to this role, Mr. Harvey served in Governor Beshear’s cabinet, first as Secretary of the Public Protection Cabinet, and then as Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. He served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 2010-17. His prior public service includes serving as General Counsel in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and completing two terms as Marshall County Attorney. Mr. Harvey also has extensive experience in the private practice of law.
Marty Keith, MSA SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Market VP - Human Resources Operations, Common Spirit Healthcare
Marty Keith is Market Vice President of Human Resources Operations at CHI Saint Joseph Health in Lexington, Kentucky, bringing over 25 years of healthcare HR experience. Before joining Saint Joseph in 2021, he served as Market Chief Human Resources Officer at Saint Francis Healthcare in Memphis and spent 21 years with Methodist Healthcare in various leadership roles. He holds a BBA from Mississippi State University and an MSA from Central Michigan University, and also taught HR Administration in the MHA programs at the University of Memphis and University of Kentucky. Actively involved in community service, Marty serves on several boards, including the YMCA of Central Kentucky, and the Kentucky Community & Technical College System Foundation Board.
Ken Kippenbrock, Executive Director – Human Resources and Operations, Covington Independent Public Schools
Ken Kippenbrock has been serving the citizens of Covington Kentucky for over 26 years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Studies, he began his career as a police officer. He spent a five- year tour in the Patrol Bureau before becoming a specialist assigned to the Community Relations Bureau as a school resource officer. After completing a Master of Science in Leadership, he began teaching undergraduate courses at Northern Kentucky University and now, at University of Kentucky. In 2007 he left the police department to work full time for Covington Independent Public Schools focusing on court services and district level student discipline. After several promotions, he currently serves as Executive Director for Human Resources and Operations. In this capacity he oversees the district’s human resources, and the directors of pupil personnel, transportation, and facilities and grounds. Covington Independent serves approximately 3700 students with 750 employees.
Shirley Kron, BSN, BSW, RN, Director Outreach and Engagement, RETAIN Kentucky
Shirley Kron, BSN, COHN-S, Director of Outreach and Engagement - RETAIN Kentucky, University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, Lexington KY. Ms. Kron is responsible for designing and implementing the overall recruitment strategy for RETAIN supporting program- wide growth and alignment with project goals. Shirley is a certified Occupational Health Nurse Consultant (COHN-S) with 40 years of experience in nursing, including rehabilitation and care management. She also serves on the RETAIN Kentucky Leadership Team.
Jamie Link, Secretary, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet
Jamie Link was appointed Secretary of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet effective July 1, 2021. He assumed the added role as Acting Secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet in November 2021 before assuming his current role as Secretary of the newly merged Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, effective July 1, 2022. Link has been tapped to lead several successful public-sector initiatives throughout his career. In January 2020 Gov. Andy Beshear asked him to serve as executive director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority – the agency responsible for overseeing the completion of the KentuckyWired broadband expansion project. The project was completed in October2021. Link has previously served as Deputy Secretary of both the Kentucky Finance & Administration and Tourism, Arts and Heritage cabinets. He was appointed to serve as CEO of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 before becoming Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. Additionally, he has served as Deputy Chief of Staff for former Kentucky Gov. Steven L. Beshear, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Facilities Management, and has worked as a finance director and as a project coordinator at the University of Kentucky.
Kimwanga (Kimbo) Mafuta, Intern, Rising Leaders Academy
Kimbo Mafuta is a first-generation college student. He currently attends Eastern Kentucky University. He is double majoring in Healthcare Administration and Public Health. He plans to graduate in May 2025. Kimbo is involved in several school organizations such as Students of Health Care Administration Association, Eta Sigma Gamma, and the Honor Society for Health Education. He currently serves in leadership roles such as President of SHAA, and Vice President of ESG. Outside of school, he enjoys learning new things and spending time with his loved ones. Kimbo was selected to participate in the first Rising Leaders program and earned a certificate for completing the Professional Leadership training course.
Dennis McClain, MD FACEP, ABIME, ABEM, MROCC, Medical Director, Norton Occupational Medicine
Dr. McClain is an expert in occupational medicine, the medical director for Norton Occupational Medicine, and a fellow in the American College of Emergency Physicians. He has been practicing in the workers’ compensation field for over 30 years and has extensive experience in SAW/RTW strategies. He performs specialized medical evaluations used to determine if an employee can perform the essential functions of a job and was certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. He is a certified Medical Review Officer.
Charles Mercer, Senior Investment Advisor, Truist Foundation
Charles Mercer is a Senior Investment Advisor within the Truist Foundations and Endowments Specialty Practice. As an institutional investment advisor, Charlie specializes in developing and implementing tailored investment strategies that empower clients to meet their long-term financial goals with confidence.
Charlie joined the Truist Foundation and Endowment Specialty Practice Group in 2023. Based in Kentucky and a native Louisvillian, he brings more than 30 years of investment management industry experience, with expertise in managing portfolios across all major asset classes – a depth of knowledge that provides unique insight into portfolio management for foundations and endowments.
Charlie began his career as part of the investment banking group at Truist (formerly SunTrust Bank) in Atlanta. There, he gained experience managing assets in fixed income and rate markets that would help build the foundation for the rest of his career. In 1998, Charlie and other colleagues formed Veredus Asset Management, an equity management company in Louisville providing traditional long-only as well as alternative products. Charlie served as the group’s Director of Research, helping develop and execute the firm’s growth style strategies, while simultaneously serving as Portfolio Manager of the firm’s equity growth products. During his tenure at Veredus, Charlie covered every major economic sector classification and saw the firm grow to over $2.5 billion in assets. In 2018, Charlie joined PNC Institutional Asset Management as part of their OCIO Premier team covering the bank’s largest institutional clients across the entire footprint.
Charlie holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University and is a CFA® Charterholder, CFA Institute.
Lakisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center
LaKisha Miller is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center. For nearly five years, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's Workforce Center has represented over 68,000 businesses, convening employers to understand their hiring needs and providing programs to educate Kentuckians and prepare them for meaningful employment. LaKisha has spent the last four years advocating for the workforce in Kentucky by aligning talent to the needs of businesses across the state. LaKisha serves on several Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board committees and statewide workforce development committees. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has recognized her nationally as a leading workforce professional to guide the national movement towards employer-led workforce systems. LaKisha currently serves as the chair of the Jobs and Workforce Data (JWD) Network and on the T3 Leadership Committee committed to improving the development, sharing, and utilization of high-quality workforce data.
Michaela Mineer, Program Manager, Healthcare Workforce Initiatives, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Michaela Mineer has been with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) for over three years, where she currently serves as the Program Manager for Healthcare Workforce Initiatives. In this role, she oversees projects within the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative and manages the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund, focusing on strategies to address critical workforce challenges in healthcare. Previously, Michaela worked on CPE’s Academic Affairs team, where she managed the program approval and review process. During this time, she developed a strong passion for aligning academic programs with workforce needs to drive student success and economic growth. Before joining CPE, Michaela served as the Assistant Director of Admissions for Recruitment at the University of Kentucky's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Michaela completed both her undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Kentucky. Currently, Michaela is pursuing her doctorate in higher education at Purdue University. Outside of her work and academic responsibilities, she is deeply engaged in her community as an active member of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show Board, the UK Alumni Association Leadership Advisory Council, and the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Alumni Association Executive Board.
Ashley Montgomery-Yates, MD, FCCM, Senior Vice Chair for the Department of Internal Medicine, Director of the UK ICU Recovery Clinic
Dr. Montgomery-Yates serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She graduated with honors from Transylvania University and graduated with distinction from the UK College of Medicine before completing her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in critical care medicine at UK Chandler Hospital. Dr. Montgomery has a lifelong commitment and track record of serving UK HealthCare and Kentucky. She is known as a dedicated critical care physician with teamwork, patient care, community, and outcomes at the forefront of her work.
Danny Nelms, CEO and President, Work Institute
As President at Work Institute, co-author of The Why Factor and EmployER Engagement, and experience public speaker, Danny Nelms is an agent of change and an expert in helping companies forge new directions to optimize human capital and improve results. Nelms’ 25 years of experience have given him the ability to influence corporate culture and human capital initiatives in areas including organizational improvement and effectiveness, leadership development, employee engagement and retention, executive coaching, and M&A. His track record in successfully managing teams in both HR and corporate services, and aligning organizational strategies to achieve business objectives, have made him a popular guest speaker. His insight into human capital dynamics of an organization based on sound data-driven research uniquely positions Nelms to provide valuable recommendations for the challenges that organizations face and allows him to provide companies with the tools needed to successfully achieve the desired employee outcomes and business results.
Kimberly O’Donnell, Managing Partner – Lexington Office, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum
Kimberly J. O'Donnell is Managing Partner of the Lexington office and a member of the Firm's Employment and Labor practice group. She advises and represents clients in matters involving a broad range of employment issues. She focuses her practice in employment litigation, where she represents employers in litigation before state and federal courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and the Kentucky Division of Unemployment Insurance involving claims of employment discrimination, retaliation, retaliatory discharge, harassment, state and federal wage and hour laws, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Kim also advises employers on various employment issues, including employee handbooks, employee agreements, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, personnel policies and separation agreements.
Jessica Sass, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, NEA-BC – Executive Director of Population Health at UKHC and a Nurse Practitioner for Family & Community Medicine
Jessica Sass is the Executive Director of Population Health at UKHC and a Nurse Practitioner for Family & Community Medicine. She completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Kentucky. Before this, she earned a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Missouri – Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Western State College. Licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse since 2004, she has worked in various care settings which include a critical access hospital in rural Northeast Kansas, providing care in the primary care clinic, emergency department, and inpatient setting; the county health department in the Women’s Health Program, an Urgent Care facility and a Level 1 trauma emergency department. In addition, Jessica completed a fellowship with the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Program focused on leadership and management skills, the Chief Quality Officer Professional Development Program through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and the Agile Implementation Bootcamp through the Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science (IU).
Leslie Sizemore, PhD, EdS, OTR/L, Associate Vice President, Workforce and Economic Initiatives, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Dr. Leslie Sizemore has 30 years of healthcare and leadership experience and currently serves as Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Initiatives at Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education. She is a licensed occupational therapist and is the lead for the Council’s Healthcare Workforce Collaborative, the CLIMB Health Initiative (Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health), and the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund and Aerospace Aviation and Defense Fund, both created recently in statute to build talent in critical need workforce sectors. As part of her role at the Council, she monitors and influences policy affecting the workforce and education. Dr. Sizemore owns and operates TheraCare, Inc., a private practice occupational and physical therapy staffing company serving Southeastern Kentucky. She serves on the Statewide Workforce and Talent Team (SWATT), the SEKY Advisory Council for Volunteers of America, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Institutional Review Board. In addition to her service in higher education administration, she has worked as a faculty member and healthcare clinician in various direct service and leadership roles dedicated to school-based practice, pediatric clinical practice, and healthcare administration. Dr. Sizemore’s interests are in the areas of healthcare leadership, workforce development, cultural competence, and the legislative process for healthcare and education policy. Dr. Sizemore continues to live with her family in Southeastern Kentucky and travels the state to coordinate education and industry partnerships collectively dedicated to building a robust Kentucky workforce.
Delaney Stephens, Director of Policy, Center for Meaningful Diplomas, The Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence
Delaney Stephens serves as the Director of Policy, Meaningful Diplomas at the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, where he develops strategies to enhance the value of Kentucky's high school diploma and improve post-secondary outcomes. A Somerset native and University of Kentucky graduate, Stephens holds a B.S. in Community Communications and Leadership Development with expertise in nonprofit management and community and economic development. His career spans over a decade of youth leadership and workforce development, including roles as Community Liaison and Youth Programs Coordinator at The Center for Rural Development and Founding Director of a regional youth workforce development organization, where he focused on education-to-career initiatives for Eastern Kentucky youth. Delaney also has extensive small business ownership experience that has provided a unique perspective to his roles in the education and workforce nonprofit sectors.
Gretchen Wetzel, Executive Director, West Kentucky Educational Cooperative
Gretchen R. Wetzel is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in educational administration and workforce development, currently serving as the Executive Director of the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (WKEC). Under her direction, WKEC has undergone significant financial and programmatic growth, including a strategic shift from a deficit to a surplus of over $10 million within four years. Gretchen has led initiatives that expanded educational services across 26 districts, enhancing student and community engagement through innovative programming, such as the expansion of the Center for Innovations of Education.
Her commitment to workforce readiness is evident in her collaboration with state education leaders to implement initiatives like the CRRSA Act, addressing educational resilience and workforce alignment in the post-pandemic era. She has spearheaded efforts to improve infrastructure, oversee multimillion-dollar budgets, and drive district-wide initiatives aimed at creating sustainable, high-quality learning environments. Gretchen’s proven track record in policy development, data-driven decision-making, and leadership development makes her a formidable advocate for workforce advancement through education.
Shanice White, Intern, Rising Leaders Academy
I’m Shanice White, a student from Transylvania University and Lexington native. I am majoring in Molecular Biology with a Minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies and I am pursuing a career as an Ob/Gyn. I also am an active member around my university, holding leadership positions in Phi Delta Epsilon, Transylvania Dance Marathon, and being a Federal Work Study student under the university’s Pre-Health Advisor, Robin Prichard. Outside of school and work, I often bake, attend Transylvania’s Women Basketball Games, read, and create art.
Amanda Wooldridge, Career Development Assistant Manager, Commonwealth Credit Union
Amanda Wooldridge has been with Commonwealth Credit Union in Frankfort, Kentucky for fifteen years, currently serving as the Career Development Assistant Manager. Amanda’s responsibilities include leading the Career Development team in providing development opportunities and resources for all credit union staff. This includes collaboration with leaders and Human Resources to foster talent management, growth, and retention by providing in-person, online, and virtual learning experiences. As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, Amanda partners with the Culture & DEI Department to provide career coaching and mentoring to leaders and team members across the organization. She also oversees the Leadership Development Committee in planning, designing, and presenting leadership training for four internal leadership programs that include existing and future leaders for the credit union. As a team member of Commonwealth Credit Union, Amanda actively volunteers to serve the many charities that make up our communities, such as Make-A-Wish and the American Heart Association.