07/20/2026
The City of Middlesboro Kentucky’s Jessica McAllister Brown and Pineville Independent School District’s Sarah Elliott are apart of the 2026 BRIGHT Kentucky Class! Full press release below:
Leadership Kentucky Announces 2026 BRIGHT Kentucky Class
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 20, 2026) – Leadership Kentucky is proud to announce members of the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2026.
BRIGHT Kentucky, which began in 2019, was designed to empower the next generation of leaders (ages 21–40) in Kentucky’s Appalachian region. BRIGHT Kentucky drives participants toward innovation, collaboration, community and economic development — while honoring the vision and values of the foundational leaders who came before them. The program builds on a strong legacy by equipping a new generation with non-partisan, ethical leadership training, and expanded networks designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The program is made possible through private funding from the Whitaker Foundation, Kentucky Power Foundation, and other generous donors.
BRIGHT Kentucky consists of five, three-day sessions providing opportunities for aspiring leaders to connect with peers, develop leadership skills, and gain inspiration to create a positive impact within their communities. The program, which runs from July through November, will take participants across Eastern Kentucky: Berea in July, Columbia/Russell Springs in August, Ashland/Morehead in September, Pikeville/Prestonsburg in October, and Middlesboro/Pineville/Harlan in November. The program kicked off on July 8 with an engaging session on understanding and maximizing the participants’ leadership style.
This year’s class includes 36 participants from 20 ARC counties representing a variety of public and private se
Tiffany Boston, Wayne County, Highlands Housing Corporation
Casey Brock, Leslie County, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Jessica Brown, Bell County, City of Middlesboro
Marilys Brown, Pulaski County, Bondtech Corporation
Nikki Burke, Boyd County, Boyd County Fiscal Court
Allie Bush, Rowan County, Morehead State University
Chris Caldwell, Pike County, Pikeville Medical Center
Sarah Caton Walters, Clark County, Greater Clark Foundation
Leah Cecil, Boyd County, Community Trust Bank
Ashley Dotson, Floyd County, University of Pikeville
Sarah Elliott, Bell County, Pineville Independent
Cameron Faris, Letcher County, Dreams Delivered Daily
Merisa Ferrell, Pike County, Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Brittany Grimm, Letcher County, Kentucky Power Company
Taylor Helton, Perry County, Housing Development Alliance, Inc.
Alycia Johnson, Lincoln County, All God's Children Kentucky
Joey Jones, Perry County, City of Hazard
Nika Larian, Perry County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Natasha Lawless, Greenup County, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central
Connor Link, Boyd County, Pathways
Brittany Lucas, Madison County, Saint Joseph East Hospital
Laura Markel, Greenup County, Ramey-Estep/Re-group
Eli Matthews, Letcher County, Double Kwik
Erin Maxey, Whitley County, Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Jeni Meyer, Floyd County, Mountain Association
Sarah Moorefield, Perry County, Shaping Our Appalachian Region
Zach Parsons, Boyd County, Russell Independent Schools
Jessica Pennington, MA, Rowan County, University of Kentucky
Cheyenne Price, Pike County, Bluegrass Care Navigators
Rachel Smith, Harlan County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Appalachia
Ruby Smith, Madison County, Fahe, Inc.
Jordan Stidham, Letcher County, LKLP Community Action Council
Rachael Thompson, Adair County, Taylor Regional Hospital
Courtney Walker, Lawrence County, Martin County Health Department
Laura Wiersema, Laurel County, Homesteaders Life Company
Sierra Williams, Knott County, University of Kentucky
