Annual Celebration Luncheon
SAVE THE DATE
Women Leading Kentucky
Annual Celebration Luncheon
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
The Campbell House, Lexington
Sponsor
Optimize Your Business Goals
LUNCHEON SPONSOR – SOLD
Welcome everyone in attendance, table of 8, premier logo positioning with link on e-newsletter & website, press release mention and sponsor spotlight on social media.
AWARDS SPONSOR – $3,000
Present 3 of 6 awards, table of 8, premier logo positioning with link on e-newsletter & website, press release mention and sponsor spotlight on social media. 2 available.
PROGRAM BOOK SPONSOR – $1,000
Full page ad in program book, 2 seats at event. 2 available.
GIFT BAG SPONSOR – $500
Placement of company branded material/swag item in gift bag and two seats at event. 4 available.
Exhibit
Showcase Your Brand
Join us to showcase your brand to a network of business professionals and decision-makers. This intimate yet relaxed setting will allow you to bring awareness of your business products and services.
VENDORS RECEIVE • exhibit table • appetizers and drink • promotion on WLK e-newsletter, website and social media • opportunity to showcase your business to all in attendance.
Email [email protected] to register a table!
The Awards
The Martha Layne Collins Legacy Award
About
The Martha Layne Collins Legacy Award honors former Governor Martha Layne Collins (1983-1987) for her contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its people. This lifetime achievement award honors a Kentucky woman or nonbinary person whose leadership has made a lasting impact on their profession. Honorees will have inspired and motivated others through their professional lives. They are visionary leaders whose innovative leadership skills have fostered effective change within their profession.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Leadership ● The nominee will be a visionary whose innovative leadership skill has advanced effective change within their profession.
Mentoring ● Fosters and participates in professional and community mentoring relationships.
Commitment to Improving Lives ● Shows evidence of professional and community leadership, involvement, and life experiences that results in improving the lives of others.
Diversity ● Demonstrates commitment to diversity inside and outside their profession.
Giving Back to the Community ● Demonstrates evidence of giving back to women and/or the community.
Lifetime Achievement ● Demonstrated legacy of achievement over an expansive career.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a woman or nonbinary person who is a current resident of Kentucky and who has done the body of their work within the Commonwealth.
• Must have a minimum of 25 years professional work experience.
• Must not be a candidate for any political office in the year they are nominated.
The Isabel Yates Community Service Award
About
The Isabel Yates Community Service Award honors Lexington’s ‘First Lady of All Things Good’ in recognition of her many contributions to the community. The award honors a Kentucky woman or nonbinary person whose community service has made a lasting impact on the lives of people in their community.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Civic Involvement ● The nominee has demonstrated, through their civic involvement, how the quality of life in their community has been enhanced.
Leadership ● The nominee has demonstrated ability to inspire and encourage others.
Achieves Outcomes ● The nominee has demonstrated ability to overcome challenges and obstacles.
Diversity ● The nominee demonstrates a commitment to diversity through their work within the community.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• The nominee should have a charitable commitment to their communities of at least 10 years.
• The nominee must be a Kentucky resident and performed most of their community service within the state.
• The nominee will have served on nonprofit boards, commissions, community groups, or as the leader of a nonprofit organization.
• The nominee must not be a candidate for any political office in the year they are nominated.
The Janet Holloway
Path Lighter Award
About
The Janet Holloway Pathlighter Award honors the founder of Women Leading Kentucky for her unwavering passion and commitment to elevating women. This award recognizes a Kentucky woman or non-binary person who has demonstrated achievement, growth and success in their profession. The recipient will be someone who inspires, mentors, and empowers other women through their work, ideas, and example.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Leadership ● Proven track record of growth, success and influence in their profession. Recognized as an influential trailblazer whose vision inspires others through their work, ideas and example.
Mentoring ● Ability to elevate women by building relationships and encouraging success.
Commitment to Improving Lives ● A role model whose accomplishments and contributions improve the lives of others.
Diversity ● Demonstrates commitment to diversity inside and outside their profession.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a woman or nonbinary person who is a current resident of Kentucky and who has done the body of their work within the Commonwealth.
• Must be a current Kentucky resident who has done most of their work within the Commonwealth.
• Must have a minimum of five years of professional leadership.
• Must not be a candidate for any political office in the year they are nominated.
Emerging Leader
Award
About
The Women Leading Kentucky Emerging Leader Award honors women under the age of 35 who are actively making a positive difference in their communities and professions. This award recognizes women who are early in their leadership journey yet already demonstrating excellence, initiative, and the potential for lasting impact. It celebrates women who uplift others, amplify their voices, and use their leadership to enact meaningful change. These honorees embody the next generation of leaders—bold, inspiring, and committed to building a stronger and more equitable Kentucky.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Impact ● Has made a positive difference by advancing meaningful change, uplifting others, or amplifying women’s voices.
Inspiration ● Serves as a role model for peers and younger women, motivating others through action and example.
Future Potential ● Exhibits strong promise for continued leadership growth and long-term impact.
Leadership in Action ● Demonstrates initiative, innovation, and influence in their profession, community service, or advocacy work.
Commitment to Equity ● Advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in professional and community spaces.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a woman or nonbinary person under the age of 35.
• Nominee must be a Kentucky resident or have made a significant impact within Kentucky.
• Nominee will have demonstrated leadership through professional achievements, community service, advocacy, or civic engagement.
• Nominee must not be a candidate for political office in the year of nomination.
Corporate Partner
Award
About
The Women Leading Kentucky Corporate Partner Award honors a company or organization—whether a corporation, large business, or small business—that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advancing women leaders. This award recognizes corporate partners that champion equity in the workplace, break down barriers to advancement, and create cultures where women can thrive.
It celebrates organizations that show measurable progress in areas such as representation, pay equity, retention and promotion of women, inclusive policies, and leadership development. Honorees are those who not only uplift women within their own organizations but also set a standard for advancing women across their industries and communities.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Advancement of Women ● Demonstrates clear outcomes in increasing representation of women at all levels, particularly in leadership roles.
Equity & Fairness ● Shows measurable progress in pay equity, advancement opportunities, and retention of women employees.
Inclusive Culture ● Builds workplaces where women are supported, valued, and encouraged to lead authentically.
Industry Leadership ● Acts as a leader within its industry in championing gender equity and women’s advancement.
Sustainable Practices ● Implements inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and leadership pipelines to support women’s long-term success.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Nominee must be a company or organization with a significant presence in Kentucky.
• Nominee must demonstrate measurable actions that have advanced women’s leadership internally and within their industry.
• Nominee must not be under investigation for discriminatory or unethical practices at the time of nomination.
Ally
Award
About
The Women Leading Kentucky Ally Award honors men who actively advocate for and advance the careers of women. This award recognizes individuals who uplift women, play a role in advancing their careers, and help them reach their full potential. It celebrates those who champion diversity, break down barriers, and advocate for meaningful change in support of women. Honorees are men committed to improving the workplace for women, promoting gender equity, and creating inclusive environments where women can thrive as leaders.
See Criteria & Eligibility
CRITERIA
Advocacy & Sponsorship ● Actively sponsors and advocates for women in leadership roles, creating opportunities for advancement.
Impact ● Demonstrates a measurable influence on the careers, representation, and visibility of women.
Leadership & Influence ● Uses their position and networks to advance equity and open doors for women.
Commitment to Equity ● Champions diversity and fosters cultures of belonging where women’s voices are heard and valued.
Mentorship & Development ● Provides meaningful mentorship, coaching, or sponsorship to women at multiple career stages.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Nominee must demonstrate a commitment to advancing women’s leadership.
• Nominee must be a Kentucky resident or have made a significant impact in Kentucky.
• Nominee will have contributed to advancing women’s leadership through professional roles, community engagement, board service, or other leadership activities.
• Nominee must not be a candidate for political office in the year of nomination.
Nominate an Outstanding Leader
To submit a nomination please complete the online submission form:
All nominations must be received by 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
For questions, contact Opa Owiye Johnson, Executive Director of Women Leading Kentucky: [email protected].
Award winner must attend Awards Luncheon on November 20, 2025
The Campbell House, Lexington, KY