The Leadership Center
The mission of The Leadership Center is to develop and equip leaders through comprehensive programs and training.
At The Leadership Center, we believe our community's competitive advantage is our leaders. We are working to turn today's West Kentucky workforce into tomorrow's leaders.
The Leadership Center is the hub of many leadership training, professional development, and workforce-related programs including:
Leadership Paducah
Leadership West Kentucky
Leadership Paducah Alumni Association (LPAA)
Paducah Chamber Intern Initiative
Paducah Chamber Educator Externships
Paducah Young Professionals
Youth LEAD
Learn more about The Leadership Center HERE!
BUSINESS WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES
The Leadership Center offers high-impact workshops on leadership, strategy, and communication, designed to equip organizations and associations across Western Kentucky with the skills to thrive. Book a workshop today and take your team to the next level!
Frank BennettExecutive Director, The Leadership Center
Frank is a passionate advocate for the importance of leadership study, believing that all meaningful advances are driven by extraordinary leadership. Bennett states, “Regardless of whether you are attempting to solve global economic and societal issues or working in a three-person project group at a small company, leadership is the driving force that reimagines current realities, breaks through barriers, and inspires action. The more tools we have to be effective leaders, the more everyone benefits.”
Frank brings a wealth of experience to his new role having advised, taught, written, and served in leadership roles for over twenty-five years.
Frank is probably most well known in Paducah for the decade (2011 to 2021) he served as the Chief Executive Officer of The National Quilt Museum. During his tenure with the museum, they experienced record growth in attendance, revenues, and program involvement. For most of his career, Frank has been a consultant and advisor, having helped over 200 for-profit and nonprofit organizations with leadership and strategy initiatives.
Frank has published one full-length book entitled The Breathing Organization: Essentials of Successful Leadership about building and leading effective organizational cultures. He is currently working on a second book on leadership and innovation scheduled for release in 2025.
Frank holds over a dozen degrees and certifications including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northern Kentucky University, certificates in Sustainable Business Strategy and Disruptive Business Strategy from Harvard Business School, a certificate in Behavioral Economics: Consumer Choice and Decision Making from the Wharton School of Business, and a certification in Fundraising Management from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis.
FOUNDING DONORS:
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John A. Williams, Sr. |
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Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact the Chamber at swilson@paducahchamber.org
According to recent research published by Dr. Nick Brake from Western Kentucky University, his study confirms the need for Paducah to invest in future leaders. “The study analyzed data from 50 small cities in middle America, one of which was Paducah, examining the role of leadership and community development in places that have thrived compared to those that have experienced distress. The communities that are thriving have implemented a combination of collaborative, multigenerational, and inclusive civic leadership, focused on the development of youth and entrepreneurs. They leverage charitable resources, and use their place-identity to create vibrant downtowns and public spaces.”
His study specifically indicated that “compared to the 50 small cities studied, Paducah ranked in the lowest quarter on measures of multigenerational and inclusive community leadership. These results signal a need to better engage and develop the young generation to provide more diversity for the kind of civic leadership needed for the future.”
It’s time to take the necessary steps forward. To the leadership of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, this study helped us to affirm this is a positive step.
The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is proud launch “The Leadership Center,” as a new brand for the programs of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce focused on leadership. This will serve the current Chamber leadership programs and be the home for new programs to be developed.
The Leadership Center will be a lasting legacy for the Chamber and for this community. The Center will build the leaders our community needs for the 21st Century and beyond. After all, leaders aren’t simply born. They are mentored, challenged and supported.
We are motivated to create the Center as a showcase on what is possible and to demonstrate to those who compare our community to others, the Paducah area truly believes in vision and success comes from thoughtful preparedness.
We believe having diverse and skilled leaders is a competitive advantage for our community. Those who participate and study with the Chamber's Leadership programs will go on to be leaders with businesses, non-profit organizations, education, local boards, government, churches and more.
The Center will help emerging and experienced leaders enhance and develop the skills to lead into the future with confidence and vision and inspire future generations. The Chamber believes this is our way to differentiate who we are as a community.
The Paducah Chamber is well known for our successful advocacy efforts on behalf of the community and our local businesses. Programs are also an important part of our scope of work. One of these includes our signature program, Leadership Paducah, now in its 35th year. Just as the Leadership Paducah program has grown and evolved over time, so will the programs of The Leadership Center.
This is an area in which we feel we can make a true difference in achieving community success and an investment we must make for the future of our community.
The Paducah Chamber is a 5 Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and two time recipient of the prestigious Chamber of the Year Award from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. We are also active with the Association of Leadership Programs.
We believe it is our responsibility, we are the organization to fill this need, and we are confident that we can fill a niche in the community not already being served.
