Leadership Paducah

Leadership Paducah is a leadership development program coordinated by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Established in 1984, the participants selected for 2025-26 will be Class #39. The program is directed towards individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and exposes them to a variety of topics and issues to better understand our community. It is an educational opportunity that broadens perspectives and allows participants to gain increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues.  

From applications submitted, approximately 30-35 individuals are chosen each year to participate. The program kicks off with a retreat in August and monthly sessions continue through May. A graduation ceremony is held at the Chamber’s Power in Partnership Breakfast in June. During the monthly sessions the participants study the community through tours and presentations. Leadership enrichment programs are incorporated in the classes.

Leadership Class #39 has been selected - watch this page in 2026 for information on Class #40 registration!

Leadership Paducah Class #39

Members of the 2024-2025 Class #39 pictured above are:

First Row (L to R): Joshua Amos, Servpro of Paducah & Mayfield; Elijah Arterburn, Marcum Engineering; Cortney Bass, Gill Family Properties; Lakyn Bastani, Stone Lang Company; Rhonda Batts, Community Financial Services Bank; Angela West Bray, Mercy Health Paducah OB GYN; Susannah Campbell, Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc.; Benjamin Clayton, Paducah Bank.

Second Row: Stephen Collins, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership; Susan Copass, KentuckyCare Pharmacy; Laura Cowles, City of Paducah; Lucas Diefenbach, Williams, Williams & Lentz, LLP; Crystal Douglas, Blythe CPAs & Advisors; Erika Duncan, Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services; Rachel Duncan, Marquette Transportation Company, LLC; Rebecca Ferch, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership.

Third Row: Kalea Henderson, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce; Benjamin Hoeke, Computer Services Inc.; Steven Hulsey, FNB Bank, Inc.; Brooke Jacobs, Delve Health Consulting; Lori Keen, McMurry and Livingston, PLLC; Gisselle Lucero - Gerald, McCracken County Public Library; Chakatoria Nicholson, Paducah Cooperative Ministry; Brittany Nielsen, Open Door Accounting LLC.

Fourth Row: Ashley Parrott, Baptist Health Medical Group; Alyssa Phares, Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau; Lindsay Ramsey, River Discovery Center; Alyssa Rickards, LivWell Community Health Services; Hector Rojas, Beltline Electric; Mikayla Rubsam, Baptist Health Paducah; Gregory Shelton, City of Paducah; Nikita Shoulta, Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub.

Fifth Row: Matthew Stephens, Paducah Power System; Robyn Tallent, Housing Authority of Paducah; Travis Watson, Paducah Police Department; Andiamo White, Massac County Housing Authority; Christie White, Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins, Blankenship & Sigler, LLP; Gavin Williams, Atmos Energy Corporation; Andy Wilson, West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

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 Each year as a way to give back to the community, the class selects a community project to benefit a Chamber member non-profit organization. The pictures below represent some of the wonderful recipients.

Leadership Paducah Class #38 presents the proceeds from their class project to Family Service Society.

Leadership Paducah Class #37 presents the proceeds from their class project to Paducah Day Nursery.

Leadership Paducah Class #36 presents the proceeds from their class project to Paducah Day Nursery.

Leadership Paducah Class #35 presents the proceeds from their class project to Child Watch.

Leadership Paducah Class #34 presents the proceeds ($111,220) from their class project to Lifeline Recovery Center.

Leadership Paducah Class #33 presents the funds from their class project to Starfish Orphan Ministry.

Leadership Paducah Class #32 presents the funds from their class project to Habitat for Humanity.

Leadership Paducah Class #31 presents the funds from their class project to the Columbia Theatre Restoration Project.

  Terrance Adams with Leadership Paducah Class #30 presents the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club with the funds from their class project.

Patrick Whalen of Leadership Class #29 presents a check to Jessie Meiser of Easter Seals West Kentucky. 

Mary Foley with Merryman House thanks Leadership Paducah Class #28 after receiving the funds raised from their class project.

Leadership Paducah Class #27 members Kim Beanland & Jim Dudley (left & center) present the funds raised from their class project to Judy McKeel from Child Watch for their CASA program.

Matt Snow (right) with Leadership Paducah Class #26 presents the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club with the funds from their class project.  

Proud member of:

The Leadership Paducah experience does not end at graduation. 

Graduates of the Leadership Paducah program are encouraged to join the Leadership Paducah Alumni Association. (LPAA).  LPAA is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a forum to introduce current and future leaders to the qualities, attributes, and challenges of the Paducah/McCracken County area.  The LPAA provides an informational network and a mechanism for maintaining contact that includes a web site membership directory and semi-annual newsletter.

LPAA annual dues are $35. 

Each year the LPAA presents the annual “Outstanding Leadership Paducah Alum Award” at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in January.  The Board Members also coordinate the Youth L.E.A.D. program and sponsor the national Leadercast simulcast program in May. 

Pay your LPAA Annual Dues here!