Ashley Evans-Smith, advocate coordinator and training manager for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a member of the Chamber of Young Professionals. Through CYP, Evans-Smith learned about and just graduated from ELEVATE Kentucky, Leadership Kentucky’s 3-month program for young professionals.
“It was just such a good opportunity and I met so many great people,” Evans-Smith said.
The mission of the ELEVATE Kentucky is to provide in-depth personal and professional development to the participants who then return to their communities and employment with “increased skills, knowledge, perspective and a new statewide professional network,” according to the program literature.
Of the 25 graduates in the 2019 class, two worked at nonprofits, which Evans-Smith said provided a different perspective to the other participants, which included bankers, attorneys and lobbyists.
The 2019 class is the third to graduate the ELEVATE Kentucky program, which targets young professionals, ages 25 to 35.
Three multi-day sessions are held in April, May and June across the state and Evans-Smith said the purpose of the different sites is to familiarize the participants with the communities across Kentucky and to see the widespread struggles within Kentucky they might not be aware of.
“The three sessions are titled know your state, lead your state and improve your state,” Evans-Smith said. “We started in Owensboro and I learned so much just by being part of it [ELEVATE].”
Evans-Smith said that while attending the Western Kentucky session, which was held in Owensboro, she was proud of Owensboro.
“When people asked about the arts and the community, I thought about what I have had access to,” Evans-Smith said. “There are definitely areas to improve, but Kentucky as a whole is moving forward.”
The class took a walking tour of Owensboro, and she said she learned from speakers Joseph Berry and Madison Silvert how the downtown project came to be.
“I didn’t realize all of the opportunities we take for granted, and how beneficial and accessible so many programs are in Owensboro,” Evans-Smith said.
This “perspective shifting” is what Evans-Smith said guided her through all of the sessions. As ideas were presented and during discussions, she continually found ways she could incorporate the ideas into her current positions at CASA and SPARKodc, and her volunteer work.
While in the Eastern Kentucky session, which was held in Prestonsburg, Evans-Smith said that while learning the history of the area and the deep roots in coal mining, she saw much progress in how leaders are trying to move Eastern Kentucky forward.
“There is so much movement [everywhere],” Evans-Smith said. “They aren’t just ‘problems,’ but it is about growth and making change. So many people have drive and vision and want to see communities move forward.”
Speakers also discussed state-wide resources and Evans-Smith said she learned not just about funding but how to utilize individuals who can help your company or agency continue to grow.
One of the ideas from a session that Evans-Smith could not wait to share with her co-workers was a behavioral assessment that measures employee work skills.
They have since begun using the predictive index at CASA and are seeing changes.
Evans-Smith said the program inspired her to keep moving and sharing ideas.
“I want it to be infectious and spread,” Evans-Smith said. “I have shared with CASA and family court. I want to inspire others to go — it’s been incredibly rewarding to see something I thought I knew in a different way.”
Evans-Smith said she wishes there were more sessions and that everyone had the opportunity to be part of ELEVATE. Each speaker and class member had something valuable to share, both personally and professionally.
“I am inspired by the female leaders I work with at CASA and in Owensboro,” Evans-Smith said. “Leadership Kentucky has female leadership and half of the ELEVATE participants were women. I learned a tremendous amount from all of them and am looking forward to bringing back to Owensboro to share the dynamic ways the women I met at ELEVATE lead and shape their businesses, organizations, and communities.”
