The Kentucky Chamber Foundation has announced 44 principals from across Kentucky have graduated from its Leadership Institute for School Principals, including three from Northern Kentucky.
The year-long program is designed to strengthen school leadership across the Commonwealth, and provides individualized development through the Truist Leadership Institute, customized to address the unique opportunities and challenges facing school leaders. Since its launch 14 years ago, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation and its supporters have invested more than $4.5 million to train more than 641 principals from 112 Kentucky counties, impacting more than 3 million students statewide.
During the 2026 graduation ceremony, class speaker Joy Billops, principal of Greenwood Elementary School in Jefferson County, reflected on the personal growth fostered through the program and the importance of investing in school leaders.
“You cannot effectively lead others if you don’t truly know yourself,” Billops said. “Educational leaders need this kind of investment, too. Not just training on programs, not just compliance updates, but opportunities to grow as human beings and as leaders.”
Lori Darnell, principal of Cumberland Trace Elementary School in Warren County, reflected on how the program helped participants better understand themselves and others.
“It helped us to understand why we problem-solve the way that we do. Because of that, we learned to take a balcony view and to problem-solve in different ways. Every single one of us in this room had different experiences that helped mold who we are today,” Darnell said.
Don Geletko, senior leadership and business advisor with the Truist Leadership Institute, encouraged graduates to carry forward three themes from their experience: gratitude, courage, and purpose. He also shared former Truist Chairman and CEO Kelly S. King’s belief that one of the best ways to strengthen society is through education.
Leadership Institute Board Co-chair Rich Maddux of The Cowabunga Group, LLC, recognized the graduates’ commitment to leadership and noted the business community’s longstanding investment in the program, citing the critical role principals play in strengthening Kentucky’s future workforce.
“For Kentucky to grow and have a better quality of life for its citizens, education is crucial,” Maddux said. “That’s why Kentucky’s business community continues to invest in programs like this and in the principals who help shape our future workforce.”
The 2026 class listed below represents 23 counties and nearly 25,000 students across the Commonwealth:
• Monica Ballard, Paris Middle School, Bourbon County
• Joy Billops, Greenwood Elementary School, Jefferson County
• Alexander Butler, Russell Cave Elementary, Fayette County
• John “JC” Carter, Rivendell School, Warren County
• Charles Clark, Fairview High School, Boyd County
• Brad Cornwell, Russell-McDowell Intermediate School, Greenup County
• Bethany Croslin, Lost River Elementary School, Warren County
• Elizabeth Cupp, Bush Elementary School, Laurel County
• Lori Darnell, Cumberland Trace Elementary, Warren County
• Tanesha Franklin, Crums Lane Elementary, Jefferson County
• LaTonya Frazier-Goatley, Grace James Academy, Jefferson County
• Angela Gilbert, Carlisle County High School, Carlisle County
• Tiffany Gray, South Christian Elementary School, Christian County
• Katherine Grindon, Noe Middle School, Jefferson County
• Chris Guier, Crofton Elementary School, Christian County
• Blaine Hunter, Sturgis Elementary, Union County
• Colton Isaacs, Warren Central High School, Warren County
• Courtney Kingsmore, Louisa West Elementary School, Lawrence County
• Katie Kirkwood, Bend Gate Elementary, Henderson County
• Andrea Krumpelman, Mary A. Goetz Elementary, Kenton County
• Felicia Lindsay, Audrey Grevious Center Family Care Center, Fayette County
• Dan Mahon, Radcliff Elementary, Hardin County
• Kevin Mayleben, John W. Reiley Elementary, Campbell County
• Matt McMain, Mayfield High School, Graves County
• Ben Monnett, Crossroads Elementary, Bullitt County
• Joe Moran, Sixth District Elementary School, Kenton County
• Sara Nethery, Bates Elementary School, Jefferson County
• Ashley Norwood, Breckinridge County Middle School, Breckinridge County
• Richard Parrott, Buckner Elementary, Oldham County
• David Phillips, Stuart Pepper Middle School, Meade County
• Jessica Prater, Herald Whitaker Middle School, Magoffin County
• Jennifer Russell, Glasscock Elementary School, Marion County
• Sariena Sampson, Southern High School, Jefferson County
• Bonnie Spears, Drakes Creek Middle School, Warren County
• Micah Stokes, Mount Sterling Elementary, Montgomery County
• Lindsay Thompson, The Central Academy, Henderson County
• Amber Thomas, Henderson County High School, Henderson County
• Karen Topping, Auburndale Elementary, Jefferson County
• Antone Towns, Eastside Middle School, Bullitt County
• Jonathan Vaughn, Warren East Middle School, Warren County
• Holly Vogler, Stonewall Elementary, Fayette County
• • Ramon Wales, Minors Lane Elementary, Jefferson County
• Leslie Weihe, Mt. Washington Elementary, Bullitt County
• Carla Wilson, Freedom Elementary, Bullitt County
Kentucky Chamber Foundation Senior Vice President Beth Davisson thanked Truist, Kentucky’s business community, education leaders, and program partners for their support, which makes the program possible.
The Leadership Institute is provided at no cost to principals. This training is provided to the participants through an in-kind donation of $12,500 per principal from the Truist Leadership Institute. The remaining $5,500 per principal is provided through matching donations from Kentucky’s business community.
Each year, the Leadership Institute accepts applications for a new class of principals. Participants are selected by the program’s Board of Managers, which is comprised of Kentucky business and education leaders.
Learn more about the program and how to invest in principal leadership at kychamberfoundation.org.
Kentucky Chamber Foundation