Written by: Stephan Harris, Workforce Development, UK King’s Daughters, BRIGHT Class of 2024

As the thirty-five professionals representing the 2024 BRIGHT cohort arrived at the impressive Kentucky Chamber of Commerce building in Frankfort, a quiet procession filtering down the hall to the conference room.  Upon entering, the room was enveloped in a silence reminiscent of the first day of a new semester.   A joke was made about empty tables in the front of the room, and our own Boone Bowling brought his brilliant bow-tie front and center, kicking off a good laugh and steady conversation.  This group quickly went from unfamiliar to unabashed. 

As the morning continued, our fearless friends and figureheads Janice, Karen, and Jennifer at Leadership Kentucky, along with Mr. Elmer Whitaker, President and CEO of Whitaker Banks, introduced themselves and their organizations. They facilitated our learning about each other through a series of quick questions and paired introductions. After this exercise, we heard from Mr. Scott Sharp, Program Manager for the Appalachian Regional Commission. The projects ARC enables, not just in Kentucky but throughout Appalachia, are truly impressive! As we listened to Mr. Sharp, we enjoyed an excellent lunch catered by All the Way Shoppe.

After lunch, we took a short drive to the Capitol for a guided tour by the talented Mr. Scott Johnson. He provided fascinating and informative narratives about the history and architecture, highlighting the extensive use of marble, even the faux kind. The tour concluded with Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Debra Lambert. Justice Lambert shared her personal journey, passions, and the programs she proudly supports. She helped us “pass the bar” through the court's chambers, which, like the courtroom, are steeped in history.

Our next stop was the house and senate chambers, where we were greeted rapid fire by several lawmakers and public servants, both current and previous.  We started with Senator Robin Webb of the 18^th District and Brandon Storm of the 21^st District.  They spoke on the current climate of politics in their areas, state, and beyond, and shared with us the hope of collaboration and progress.  Allison Ball inspired us speaking to her path to the Auditor of Public Accounts, and how she serves the Commonwealth through financial equity.  Lastly, we heard from Kentucky AG Commissioner Jonathan Shell, speaking about his history and rise to securing fresh and healthy food for the people of Kentucky.  I’ll be honest, I needed a drink and restroom this entire afternoon but could not bring myself to miss a single minute of these impactful speakers.  Post Capitol, we ventured to the beautiful Berea to the Historic Boone Tavern, an haute historical hotel housing the BRIGHT leaders the next two nights.

If any inhibitions remained among our group, they were left at the door of the Boone Tavern conference room during the Mix and Mingle Pizza party that evening. Even the most reserved among us couldn't help but have a great time as we conversed, broke bread, and played games together, sampling Papa Leno’s Famous Pizza. As the evening wound down, some leaders retired to their rooms to prepare for the next day, while others continued the conversation in the lobby a little longer.

The next day started early with an excellent breakfast in the conference area, kicking off with the Beyond Your Bio panel. We learned so much about each other, in our own words. The following event, Professional Presence, provided valuable insights for everyone. The subsequent program, Leadership Style and Legacy, presented by Mr. Elmer Whitaker, offered key takeaways: focus on one ladder (not two), a leader only needs to impact one person, believe to achieve, and a favorite from this 39-year-old writer: once you hit 40, you've arrived.

Next, we had lunch on our own, followed by a deep dive into our individual DISC assessments with Understanding Yourself and Others - Making DiSC Real. This process taught us much about ourselves and, more importantly, how to collaborate effectively with others. A surprise appearance of spoon bread, a local favorite, added a delightful touch. Before leaving the conference area, we reflected on the day's learnings, each taking away something unique. Lastly, we boarded a charter bus to the charming Chenault Vineyards, where we shared dinner and further connected with each other and our LKY hosts. We also had a surprise guest speaker, Mr. Daniel Carmack, who serves the LKY board and a 2019 BRIGHT alum, who shared his experiences and expertise referencing the opportunity of the BRIGHT program. As we returned to our hotel, many retired to their rooms, while others continued the day's spirit in the lobby’s late libations.

Our final day began with breakfast and a conclusion of Beyond Your Bio. After exploring the downtown area, we returned to find the conference space transformed for a formal dining setup for the Business Etiquette Luncheon - First Impressions are Lasting Impressions. Les Fugate, SVP with Brown-Forman and LKY Board and Executive Committee member, guided us through the dos and don'ts of a business meal, sharing anecdotes that made his advice all the more relatable.

After our meal, we took time to reflect and express our gratitude to the session sponsors through handwritten cards. As the BRIGHT leaders began to leave, there was a shared sense of melancholy at the end of a whirlwind of networking, learning, and development. I have never experienced such a rapid formation of closeness as I did with this group.

Eastern Kentucky is an amazing place. Even if someone hasn’t experienced it all, seeing the representation of BRIGHT leaders tells us all we need to know: the best is yet to come!