Leadership Lexington Application 2026-27

LEADERSHIP LEXINGTON

2026-2027 APPLICATION
The Leadership Lexington Steering Committee looks forward to reviewing your submission. As this is a premier professional development program, we encourage applicants to ensure their materials reflect the high standard of excellence expected of our participants. Please take care to proofread your responses and ensure all application guidelines are followed closely.The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, May 1st by 5 p.m.

NOTE: The application has a save feature allowing applicants to save and return to complete their application. However, it is strongly recommended that you keep a backup copy of your long-form responses in a separate document. This ensures your work is protected in the event of any technical or saving errors. Before you submit your application, ensure all parts of the application are completed in full.

ELIGIBILITY:
Individuals who work in the Greater Lexington area are eligible to apply. You or your company/organization must be a Commerce Lexington member to apply.

SELECTION:
Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Lexington Steering Committee based upon the information provided and the completeness of the application. Leadership Lexington is a highly competitive program for which not all will be accepted.

Applicants are evaluated based on the strength of their submitted information, insights from the selection committee, and overall assessment of qualifications. The makeup of each year’s class is designed to reflect the diverse profile of our community.

Applicants will be notified by letter about this year’s class selection by the end of June.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
Leadership Lexington is an eleven-month program involving a mandatory overnight orientation retreat scheduled for August 6 & 7, followed by a full-day session each month from September through June.

Core Curriculum: Classes meet at various locations throughout the community to explore critical topics led by expert speakers, panels, and tours. The curriculum covers government, education, equine, public safety, economic development, arts, health and human services, and leadership development.

Community Projects: Active participation in a community project is a graduation requirement. During Orientation, class participants are invited to pitch project ideas to their cohort. From these proposals, the class selects four core projects for the year. Each participant then self-selects which of the four projects they will join for the duration of the program. Pro Tip: Be thinking about a community project you'd like to pitch at orientation.
- Purpose: It is the defining experience where you will apply leadership skills and theory to real world challenges through a hands-on, small-group experience.
- Timeline: Project work is conducted entirely outside of day sessions. Teams are responsible for coordinating their own meeting schedules and locations.
Completion: At the conclusion of the program year, a graduation ceremony is held to recognize the achievements of the class, followed by a reception with the Leadership Lexington Alumni Association.

ATTENDANCE:
Leadership Lexington is a privilege that requires a strict time commitment and full engagement.
- Schedule: Day sessions typically run 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (occasional 7:30 a.m. starts), followed by a social hour.
- Orientation: The overnight retreat is mandatory.
- Graduation: A minimum 80% attendance rate is required to graduate on June 10, 2027.
Please ensure you can meet these time commitments before submitting your application, if selected.

REPORTING ABSENCES:
If you are unable to arrive at the session on time or must be absent for a part of or an entire day, you are expected to contact the program director regarding your absence or tardiness, as soon as possible. Absences may be reported by email or text message to the program director.

TARDINESS AND ABSENCES:
To maintain the integrity of our sessions, attendance is tracked as follows:

Tardiness: Arriving 30 minutes late to a session will be recorded as a ½ day absence.
Extended Absence: Missing any segment of the program (morning or afternoon) totaling one hour or more will be recorded as a ½ day absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCES:
While we recognize that personal and professional emergencies occur, the 80% attendance requirement is designed to accommodate these unavoidable conflicts. Participants may miss no more than two day sessions during the program year to remain in good standing. This policy ensures the integrity of the group experience while providing flexibility for illness or urgent business commitments.

2026-2027 LEADERSHIP LEXINGTON SESSION SCHEDULE

Overnight Orientation at Historic Boone Tavern
August 6 & 7, 2026

Day Sessions: 8:00am - 5:00pm (occasionally starting at 7:30am)

Day sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month, with a few scheduled exceptions (highlighted). Please refer to the dates below for a complete overview of the program year.

September 10, 2026
October 8, 2026
November 5, 2026- Moved from Nov 12th to Nov 5th due to CLX Regional Summit
December 10, 2026
January 14, 2027
February 11, 2027
March 11, 2027
April 15, 2027- Moved from April 8th to April 15th due to FCPS Spring Break
May 13, 2027

Reflection and Graduation: June 10, 2027

COMMITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT:
Success in Leadership Lexington depends on the full engagement of every participant. Before applying, please ensure you can commit to the required time and energy this program demands. Your active participation is essential—not only for your personal growth but for the collective experience of your cohort. We ask that you only apply if you are prepared to make this commitment a priority for the coming year.

BEHAVIOR AND DECORUM:
Leadership Lexington is a professional development program that brings together diverse perspectives from across our community. To ensure a productive and respectful environment for all participants, speakers, and host venues, the following standards are expected:

Professionalism: Participants are expected to conduct themselves with the same level of professionalism they would within their own organizations. This includes being prepared, attentive, and respectful during all presentations, tours, and group activities.
Civil Discourse: A core value of Leadership Lexington is the exploration of complex community issues. We encourage open dialogue and diverse viewpoints; however, all discussions must remain respectful, constructive, and focused on the program’s educational goals.
Presence and Engagement: To maximize the experience for yourself and your cohort, we ask that you remain fully present. Please limit the use of mobile devices to scheduled breaks, except in the case of professional or personal emergencies.
Representation: While participating in program sessions or community projects, you are an ambassador for Leadership Lexington and your sponsoring organization. We expect participants to treat our community partners and guest speakers with gratitude and courtesy.
Confidentiality: To foster an environment of trust, some speakers may share candid insights or "off-the-record" information. Participants are expected to respect these boundaries to maintain the integrity of our partnership with community leaders.

The Program Director, in consultation with Commerce Lexington, reserves the right to dismiss any participant from the program at any time if their conduct, attendance, or engagement is deemed inconsistent with the professional standards and mission of Leadership Lexington. In the event of a dismissal for cause or professional misconduct, program tuition is non-refundable.

TUITION AND MEMBERSHIP:
Upon acceptance into Leadership Lexington, participants or their sponsoring organizations must maintain an active Commerce Lexington membership. The program tuition is $3,500, which covers all essential costs, including orientation lodging, meals, curriculum materials, and charter bus transportation throughout the year.

DEADLINES: Tuition is due in full by July 20th, prior to the Orientation retreat.
SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of partial, need-based scholarships are available from the Leadership Lexington Alumni Association, by applying below. Preference is given to representatives from non-profit organizations and small, independent businesses.

APPLICATION FEE:
A $40.00 non-refundable application fee is due by May 1, 2026.
PAY APPLICATION FEE ONLINE HERE
Leadership Lexington has a strict attendance requirement. Please confirm that your supervisor OR employer is aware of and support your application submission.*

Yes, I am confirming that my employer or supervisor is aware of and supports my application submission.
Please check the box that applies.*

Yes, my employer is a memberUnsure if employer is a Commerce Lexington member.
Applicant Information
Applicant Name*

First NameLast Name
Age*
Years in the Bluegrass*
Please give a number or range
Gender*
Race*
Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
Please provide the email that you check regularly. All program information will be sent here throughout the year.
Mobile Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Employer*
Industry:*

AccountingAdvertising/MediaAgricultureArts/EntertainmentBankingConstructionConsultingEducationEngineeringEquineFaith BasedFinancial PlanningGovernmentHealth CareHuman ServicesHospitalityInformation TechnologyInsuranceLegalLegal ServicesManufacturingMarketing/ CommunicationsNon-ProfitReal EstateRetailSports/RecreationTech (Technology/Software Industry)UtilitiesOther
Business Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Business Phone*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Present Position*
Years in Current Role*
Have you applied to the program before?*

YesNo
How did you hear about Leadership Lexington?*
Referred by (Steering Committee Member or Leadership Lexington Alumni):*
Background
One of the greatest strengths of Leadership Lexington is the diversity of its participants. How has your unique background (cultural, professional, or personal) shaped your perspective, and how will that contribute to the collective experience of this year’s cohort?*
Biography
Please write a brief third-person bio below. Note: This content will be used for the class directory distributed at orientation, so please ensure it is written exactly as you would like it to appear to your classmates (if selected). (250 words or less)*

Commerce Lexington staff reserves the right to edit biography if needed for spacing in notebook. 0/250
Employment History & Responsibility

Job Experience
Employer
Employer
Employer
Education

Begin with Graduate Degree(s),Undergraduate Degree(s), Associate Degree(s), business or trade schools and/or other specialized training or certifications, then high school.
Degree #1
Degree #2
Degree #3
High School
Community Involvement

Leadership Lexington seeks individuals with a proven track record of community and civic engagement. This includes regular service and leadership roles in various sectors, particularly those outside of your daily professional responsibilities. Please list, in order of importance, the community and civic activities in which you currently participate or have participated in the past (including those in other communities). For each, please describe the nature of your involvement, any leadership positions held, and any special recognition received.
Organization/Activity
Organization/Activity
Organization/Activity
Organization/Activity
If necessary, please fill in any additional (not listed above) civic and community engagement activities that you've participated in (Name, position held, dates, and recognition).
Leadership Experience
Beyond your resume and regular work responsibilities, describe a specific community initiative or project where you've made a significant impact. What was your role, and what were the outcomes?*

0/300
How do you define effective leadership in today's complex environment? (200-300 words) *

0/300
Participation
The mission of Leadership Lexington is to foster community engagement, expand your professional network, and inspire personal and professional growth. Please describe your primary motivation for applying to the Leadership Lexington program.*

0/300
What are your expectations for the Leadership Lexington program and how do you plan to maximize your experience? (300 words or less)*

0/300
Personal Insight
A leader thinks proactively to address issues in the community. What are the most pressing challenges facing the Lexington community? Why? How do you believe you can contribute to addressing them? (300-500 words)*

0/500
OPTIONAL
Is there anything else you would like for the reviewing committee to know about you that has not been addressed in this application. (250 words or less) If preferred, there is an OPTIONAL video submission option below as well.

If submitting video instead, please write "Video Submission in box above."0/250
*Optional* Video Submission to Above Question (Please do not exceed 1 minute in length)

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References

Two letters of support are required to complete your application. Please note that letters from Commerce Lexington staff or Leadership Lexington Steering Committee members will not be accepted. One of your two letters must be from someone outside of your current organization. Both letters should detail how long the author has known you and why they are recommending you for the program. (If the author is an LL Alumnus, please have them include their class year.) Deadline: Letters must be uploaded to this portal by May 1st. Applications without both letters uploaded or letters submitted after this date will be considered incomplete applications.
Reference #1 Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to Applicant*
Company*
Title*
Business Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
Mobile Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Recommendation Letter from Reference #1.*

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Reference #2 Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to Applicant*
Company*
Title*
Business Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
Mobile Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Recommendation Letter from Reference #2.*

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Scholarships

This letter is your opportunity to articulate why you are a deserving candidate for a partial scholarship to participate in the Leadership Lexington program. If "need" being the the main reason, respectfully explain your financial circumstances and why the scholarship is essential for your participation. Be clear, honest, concise, and authentic.
I am applying for a Leadership Lexington scholarship and my scholarship request letter is attached.

YesNo
Upload Scholarship Request Letter

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Tuition

If accepted, Leadership Lexington tuition must be paid in full by July 20, 2026.
Tuition will be paid by:*

EmployerParticipantOther
SIGNATURE: By entering your name below and clicking "Submit", you are affirming that all the information included in this application is entirely accurate and true and can be submitted to the Selection Committee for evaluation. Your signature also affirms your agreement to the conditions indicated regarding both attendance requirements and financial obligations.*
Date*

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Headshot

Please upload headshot below.
Upload headshot here.*

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Application & Supporting Documents Deadline:

Due by: Friday, May 1, 2026

Checklist for application:
Application completed in full
Upload (2) recommendation letters
Scholarship request letter uploaded (if applicable)
Upload headshot
Submit application fee online here.

You are strongly encouraged to complete all sections fully before submitting, as selections are based on the strength of the application.
Should be Empty:

LEADERSHIP LEXINGTON

Applicant Information

Background

Biography

Employment History & Responsibility

Education

Community Involvement

Leadership Experience

Participation

Personal Insight

OPTIONAL

References

Scholarships

Tuition

Headshot