Encore Louisville

Experienced, Senior Leaders – Ready for an Encore?

Encore Louisville is a group of seasoned professionals who volunteer with nonprofit organizations pro-bono to provide strategic insight and know-how to help them meet organizational challenges. They become trusted advisors who bring knowledge and additional band-width based on lifetimes of experience. In an advisory capacity, the participants of an Encore team help nonprofit organizations (large and small) address strategies for growth and insight to meet organizational challenges.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE:

Experienced Senior Community Leaders
& Retirees

Yearlong cohort program (see calendar)

Nonprofit Consulting Project-Driven Program

Launched in 2014, Encore Louisville was created to leverage the talent, skills, and experience of senior leaders in the Louisville region. Participants pool their expertise to help nonprofits manage critical strategic issues. In this way, our community’s star talent continues to engage in high-impact civic leadership. They stay connected with professional peers and enjoy a flexible, self-directed time commitment. Community nonprofits, and those they serve, benefit from the expertise of the highest-level community trustees. See examples of nonprofit partnership impact.

Apply to Join Encore Now

Interested in learning more?

The best way to find out if the program is a good fit for you is by scheduling time to talk with our Engagement Manager, Sara Bowman.
sbowman@leadershiplouisville.org | (502) 753-1492
Schedule a Quick 15-Minute Call

QUICK LINKS

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How Individuals Benefit

How the Community Benefits

Recent Encore Louisville Outcomes

Details & Cost to Participate

Program Calendar

Who Should Apply

Online Application

How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

How Nonprofit Agencies can get Involved

Nominate a Candidate

Contact Us

“While I had a very successful and fulfilling career, my experiences in the Encore Louisville program have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. Working with nonprofits, who are like sponges, wanting to improve their operations and thus their impact in the community has been so energizing and fulfilling! I am able to draw on all of my years of experiences and contribute in some small ways to their growth, development and improvement. It has been an honor to serve.”
Al Cornish (EL ’19-’21, LL ’11, BF ’07), retired Chief Learning Officer – Norton Healthcare
“When I retired from Business First, I was looking for opportunities to give back without making a huge commitment of time. Leadership Louisville Center’s new Encore Louisville program fit the bill perfectly. It’s been great fun helping non-profits come up with solutions to some of their challenges. And I’ve been able to do it in a manageable amount of time with fellow retirees who I enjoy being with.”
Tom Monahan (EL ’15-’20, LL ’11, BF ’07, FL ’06), retired President and Publisher – Business First Louisville
“You reach a point in life where you re-examine your purpose. Is it success that you are seeking (achieving personal goals) or is it significance (helping others)? Encore Louisville enabled me to see that, at my stage in life, it is significance that I seek. Each assignment allows me to use my knowledge and experience to help others, especially those individuals and nonprofits that create “civic equity” in Louisville. Life for me now is about being significant in the lives of others.”
John Fleming (EL ’15-’20, LL ’95), President, Unique Staffing
“As a recently retired person who had been on a number of boards over the years, I wasn’t interested in committing to a lot of new civic engagements. Encore Louisville was the perfect answer to still giving back but within a limited time frame. We have helped a number of non profits with specific problems, while getting to know other interesting, recent retirees–a great win-win.”
Craig Grant (EL ’15-’18, BF ’97, LL ’91), retired Regional President, Kentucky and Florida, PNC Bank
“I was interested in the Encore Louisville program from my very first exposure to the concept. My experiences in its first program year (2015) exceeded my expectations. I have been on a different team for each of the program periods – our projects included a shared service system implementation, a green building demonstration project and a cancer support organization. The time commitment was manageable and not a burden. I signed up for the 2016 program at the first opportunity and am still in the program.”
Chris Hermann (EL ’15,’16, ’19, ’20, BF ’00, LL ’94), retired, Senior Vice President, LG&E and KU Energy

How individuals benefit

Make a serious impact with a limited time commitment – Encore Louisville teams serve as consultants for a 12-14 week engagement with nonprofit organizations in the Louisville region
Connect with like-minded senior community leaders
Further your leadership legacy by sharing your wisdom and experience with those in need

“My Encore Louisville team really helped me think outside of the box and helped me get out of the day to day to look at the path ahead of us. I miss the team already and know they have tremendous impact when they work with nonprofit executives!”
Patty Dissell, Executive Director, SeniorCare Experts
“The Encore Louisville team was made up of experienced individuals that provided concrete action steps that will improve board communications/working relationships and strengthen my skills as a CEO. Nonprofits generally do not have extra dollars for consultative services and the Encore Louisville program allows us access a group of talented professionals to provide services that could not be accessed in any other way.”
Jackie Ford (BF ’19, LL ’17, FL ’15), Former CEO, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
“My Encore Louisville team did the unthinkable while accomplishing the undoable. They created direct outcomes forms for the tutoring program. They restructured the finances and created an outline for the 2021 Budget. These individuals are the answers to prayers I never prayed.”
Da’Marrion Fleming (IL ’19) Executive Director, Sowing Seed with Faith

How the community benefits

Nonprofit organizations have a valuable new resource to tap for help with serious organizational and strategic issues
The community benefits from the wisdom, expertise, and connections of experienced civic leaders

See the results of previous years’ projects

Details & Cost to Participate

Time Commitment: The program will take place over 12 months, and involve program days in January, April, August, and November (typically 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.). Participants self-select to take part in one to two projects over the course of the year. Each of these projects will involve a maximum of 15-20 hours.

Cost to Participate: To participate in Encore Louisville, individuals must be Investor Members ($500/yr) or Lifetime Trustee Members ($2,500/one-time). Encore Louisville is a professionally managed and facilitated program with significant administrative costs, including meals and accommodations on program days. In lieu of tuition, participants contribute to the Center’s operations and scholarship funds through Investor Level membership, which demonstrates self-support of the program’s activities and philanthropic support for leaders in our community. A portion of your investment is considered a donation and is tax deductible as allowed by law.

Program Calendar for the Class of 2024

January 10, 2024 (Orientation for new participants from 9 – 10 a.m., program day from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. concluding in a reception from 3 – 5 p.m.)
April 26, 2024 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
August 8, 2024 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
November 20, 2024 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Closing Session

Who should apply

Encore Louisville is for experienced senior community leaders. Admission to the program is competitive. Applicants are typically over 50 and have significant leadership experience, including board and nonprofit involvement throughout their careers. Some are retired or transitioning from their career, but many are still active in their professions or are in consultant roles.

Do I have to be a graduate?

You do not have to be a graduate of a Leadership Louisville Center civic program (Focus Louisville, Leadership Louisville, Ignite Louisville, Bingham Fellows, Encore Louisville) or a training course to participate in Encore Louisville.

How to apply

Considerations are credentials, expertise, and board service.

Start Your Application

How nonprofit agencies can get involved

The needs of the nonprofit organizations will be identified through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. We are currently accepting proposals from nonprofit organizations. Learn more about what’s involved for nonprofit agencies. For more information, contact Aimee Jewell or call (502) 561-0458.

Want more information?

Contact Sara Bowman at sbowman@leadershiplouisville.org to learn more. Or fill out the form below, and she’ll reach out: