Participants Recognize James Evanson as the 2024 Lisa Murrell Award Recipient

On December 13, 2024, a group of compassionate, trendsetting changemakers gathered for the last time as participants of the Leadership Kentucky program. They departed from Covington as LKY Alumni after a seven-month experience that will leave them forever changed and always connected.

Since 1985, Leadership Kentucky graduates have brought an enlightened and informed perspective to their communities and companies, serving as important catalysts in the unified effort to Improve our State.

At the graduation ceremony, Leadership Kentucky announced James Evanson as the recipient of the 2024 Lisa Murrell Award. Evanson resides in Louisville with his family and is a Manager II Operations with Amazon. The Lisa Murrell Award is presented annually in honor and loving memory of Lisa Murrell, a member the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2008. The recipient of the award is a current class member who embodies the spirit of Lisa: Courage, Compassion, Dedication, and Selflessness. The recipient is chosen by fellow classmates.

In choosing James, the Class of 2024 said, “James has connected with everyone and his passion for the community is unmatched. His openness to his classmates and willingness to share his story created a spirit of vulnerability and trust. James has overcome so many obstacles to not only become a citizen, but a leader in his community. His positivity and endurance are inspiring.”

“It has been a true pleasure to spend the last seven months with these leaders and have been so impressed with their compassion, conscientious leadership, and engagement in learning about our Commonwealth, its numerous opportunities as well as challenges,” says Janice Way, President and CEO.  “Through the Leadership Kentucky program, they have gained tremendous insight, experienced Kentucky in a unique way, and built lifelong connections that will serve them well for many years to come. This year, we recognized a truly unique and resilient leader, James, and we look forward to witnessing his impact in the years to come.”

The class of 2024 included 52 participants representing a variety of public and private sectors. Leadership Kentucky congratulates the following:

1. Fadi Al Akhrass, Pikeville Medical Center, Pike County
2. Tiffany Benjamin, Humana Foundation, Jefferson County
3. Pennie Berry, Norton Healthcare, Jefferson County
4. Ashley Brauer, Max Strategic Communications, Jefferson County
5. Larry Cash, University of Kentucky Athletics Department, Fayette County
6. Allison Caudill, Morehead State University, Rowan County
7. Lora Croley, Baptist Health KY & IN, McCracken County
8. Matthew DeMoss, US Bank, Fayette County
9. Mason Dyer, Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU), Fayette County
10. James Evanson, Amazon, Bullitt County
11. Sheila Fraley, Marathon Petroleum, Boyd County
12. Michael Gaffney, Windstream, Garrard County
13. Karri Gerdemann, Pillar, Oldham County
14. Kevin Gessner, Healthcare Executive, Campbell County
15. Sandy Grogan, Pennyrile Electric Cooperative Corporation, Christian County
16. Brian Gupton, Dataseam, Jefferson County
17. Jonathan Hale, Thoroughbred, Franklin County
18. Kateena Haynes, Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia, Harlan County
19. Abby Hensley, Murray State University, Calloway County
20. Mark Hohmann, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Jefferson County
21. Lexy Holland, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, Fayette County
22. Howard Holloman, Jr., GE Appliances (retired) and YMCA of Greater Louisville, Jefferson County
23. Justin Holsinger, American Electric Power - Kentucky Power, Greenup County
24. Annie Holt, American Cave Conservation Association, Hart County
25. Tim Holz, Brown-Forman Corporation, Jefferson County
26. Jason Howze, Republic Bank, Jefferson County
27. John Huang, Fifth Third Bank, Fayette County
28. Erik Hubbard, Backroads of Appalachia, Harlan County
29. Karen Jackson-Furman, West Kentucky & Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative, Graves County
30. Daniel Jones, Strawberry Hills Pharmacy, McCracken County
31. Marty Keith, CHI Saint Joseph Health, Fayette County
32. Brad Kilbey, Accelecom, Jefferson County
33. Amanda Kool, Sharebite, Inc., Bracken County
34. Rebecca Lee, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Warren County
35. Janie Mckenzie-Wells, Kentucky Circuit Court (retired), Johnson County
36. Jeania Perry, East Kentucky Network dba Appalachian Wireless, Floyd County
37. Shelley Porter, Kentucky American Water, Fayette County
38. Mary Quinn Ramer, VisitLEX, Fayette County
39. Julie Roberts, Kentucky Performing Arts, Jefferson County
40. Eyvette Sellers, Planters Bank, Inc., Christian County
41. Rebecca Simpson, English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP, Warren County
42. Hollie Spade, AT&T Kentucky, Franklin County
43. Shannan Stamper, University of Kentucky, Fayette County
44. Ginger Stein, Churchill McGee, Fayette County
45. Jana Sublett, Tennessee Valley Authority, Warren County
46. Anthony Summers, TKT & Associates Inc., Jefferson County
47. Mike Uptegraff, South Central Workforce Development Board, Barren County
48. Tanner Watkins, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Jefferson County
49. Jill Wilcox, JP Morgan Chase, Jefferson County
50. Makenzie Williams, Top Shelf Lobby LLC, Franklin County
51. Rick Wurth, CHNK Behavioral Health, Boone County
52. Nicole Yates, Passport by Molina Healthcare, Jefferson County

Leadership Kentucky joins together a diverse group of leaders, with a variety of career accomplishments and volunteer activities, to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. In a series of seven monthly, three-day sessions held at various locations throughout the state, participants meet with Kentucky leaders and explore the state’s resources and opportunities. The leadership curriculum educates participants on Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and unique diversity.

The year’s program ran June through December and took the class across the state: Berea in June, Ashland and Morehead in July, Hopkinsville and Ft. Campbell in August, Louisville in September, Paducah and Eddyville in October, Lexington and Frankfort in November, and Northern Kentucky in December. The sessions covered topics ranging from business and economic development, racial equity and social justice, arts and tourism, natural resources and the environment, education, healthcare, agriculture, and government.