Meet the 2025 RUX cohort!

The Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) is pleased to announce the selection of its 2025 leadership cohort.

After a competitive application process, RUX alumni have selected 51 Kentuckians from 26 counties. These leaders in the arts, media, agriculture, community development, activism, education, government, health, small business, and more represent all regions of Kentucky, including Allen, Campbell, Calloway, Casey, Clark, Daveiss, Fayette, Franklin, Graves, Harlan, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Knott, Lawrence, Madison, McCracken, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Perry, Rowan, Scott, Taylor, Trimble, and Wolf counties.

Now in its eleventh year, the RUX is known for facilitating conversations about Kentucky’s biggest challenges and uplifting a Kentucky narrative that is as exciting and complex as Kentuckians themselves. Each summer, RUX is hosted in two regions of the state to help participants understand and value the culture, landscape, context, and people of each place.  This year’s cohort members can look forward to Community Intensive conferences in Campbellsville & Taylor County from May 23-25 and Morehead & Rowan County from July 18-20. They will also join the RUX network (including alumni, partners, and their loved ones) at the Third Weekend gathering in Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park from September 5-7.

Class of 2026

  • I’m Angel Ballew, and my career has been a winding road through education, sales, agriculture, and federal grant management—but every step has shaped the leader I am today. I started out as an elementary school teacher, where I learned how to communicate, collaborate, and think on my feet. Then, I took a leap into Inside Sales at Curriculum Associates, which introduced me to the fast-paced, results-driven world of business. That experience sharpened my skills in project planning and attention to detail—something I’ve carried into every role since. In 2019, I returned home to Kentucky and got deep into the family farm business, managing everything from vegetable production to alfalfa hay and soybeans. Running a farm teaches you resilience, adaptability, and strategic planning—lessons that translate well into leadership. Alongside that, I’ve spent years working in federal grant funding at the Kentucky Housing Corporation, overseeing grant allocations and working closely with housing counseling teams. That role strengthened my ability to listen actively, manage conflict, and communicate effectively across different sectors. Now, I combine my passion for agriculture and business by supporting farmers with agribusiness coaching, technical assistance, and soil health advising. With over a decade of experience in compliance, grant funding, accounting, and networking, I love helping farmers navigate the ins and outs of building sustainable, thriving operations. That’s why I’m excited to be part of RUX—to grow my leadership and communication skills so I can better serve my community. Looking forward to connecting with you all!

  • Melissa Benson (she/her) hails from Jessamine County. She is a project manager in the healthcare IT industry and doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky. She is also an alum of Berea College and University of the Cumberlands. In 2022, Andy Beshear awarded her the honorable title of Kentucky Colonel for her work with LGBTQ youth of Kentucky as a co-founder of Camp Beacon where she is now the Board Chair. Melissa is also a published poet and her work was first featured in Discarded: A Rural Anthology in 2024. She enjoys traveling, kayaking,and time with her family.

  • Lacy has an extensive work history in management in both the corporate world and in the non-profit sector. She, her husband of seventeen years, and two children (ages 13 and 16) are active in the community and her children attend the Paducah city schools. Lacy is a member of Rotary International, has served as the Paducah Middle 6th grade girls’ basketball team coach, she’s a member and Deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church She was recently featured in Vue Magazine’s “40 Under 40.” Lacy is known for her clever sense of humor and she may have dressed up as Dolly a time or two. Lacy likes things from the heart and finds her daily interactions with people to be the most meaningful to her. When she was asked why she desired to move from a higher-income corporate management position to a boots-on-the-ground, not-exactly-rolling-in-the-riches Executive Director position at a non-profit, she said: “I’ve always been intrigued by the inner workings of a community and the people living in them. In retail management, however, I often felt detached from the communities we served. It’s never been about the money for me, just the path and following that often soft (sometimes loud) inner voice that leads the way. The conviction and calling I have to serve make it difficult for me to work in arenas where people come second. To me, the people — and helping others find their path — should always be first. This is the big picture for me, not a means to it. Each experience and place I’ve been seems to build perfectly to PCM.”

  • John Bowman is originally from Georgetown, Ky. John now lives in Louisa in Eastern Ky. John is an individual with a profound journey of personal transformation. Having overcome 24 years of substance use, he marked a significant turning point on October 12, 2018, when he embraced a life of recovery. This milestone led him to dedicated service in recovery and criminal justice reform. John is the Kentucky Senior Campaign Organizer for Dream.Org, a nationally renowned nonprofit organization that champions the cause of criminal justice reform. His role involves reshaping drug policies in Kentucky, and he does so by actively engaging with directly impacted individuals, harm reduction specialists, law enforcement agencies, the business community, and the faith community. John's extraordinary journey from addiction to becoming an advocate for change exemplifies his resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact on society. His work in recovery and criminal justice reform is a testament to his dedication and his invaluable contributions to shaping a better future for his community and beyond.

  • A graduate of Spalding University with a bachelor’s in Natural Sciences, I’ve spent my life rooted in Kentucky—from growing up in Louisville to building a homestead in Eminence over the past six years. I’m a committed community volunteer. Passionate about nature, horses, and lifelong learning. I’m currently homeschooling my son while continuing to seek ways to live and lead with greater intention, connection, and purpose.

  • I’m a mother. A maker, artist, risk-taker. A nurturer, grower, builder. A problem-solver. A pragmatic dreamer - finding where I fit. Raised in Ohio, I spent my young adult life in Cincinnati and working transiently. In 2020, I relocated to Morgan County to grow my family. Beauty, future generations, and resourcefulness influence my life choices. I enjoy growing and preserving food, creating, learning from the natural world, connecting with others, and acquiring new knowledge. I’m hopeful to witness how others are improving complex situations while holding true to their core values, being of service, and supporting themselves and their families.

  • Megan Falce is a lifelong Kentuckian and resident of Harlan County. She holds a B.A. in General Studies and certificate in Social Intelligence and Communication from Eastern Kentucky University and is a certified Environmental Educator through KEEC and KY Master Naturalist. After nearly a decade of environmental and cultural education work in Harlan County at Kingdom Come State Park and Pine Mountain Settlement School, Megan joined Kentucky Natural Lands Trust as Outreach Coordinator for Harlan, Letcher and Bell Counties in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family, and attending live music.

  • Icyreen is a self taught dog groomer, a writer and an astrologer, using a holistic approach to community organizing. They believe in addressing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and work to integrate this perspective into their efforts for community healing and support.

  • I am passionate about people, place, animals, sustainability, equity, curiosity, and creativity. I love to travel, to nest, to build community, to grow and raise my own food, to walk in the woods, to make something from nothing, to rock climb, and snuggle with my family. I am a musician in The Handshake Deals - playing accordion, bass, drums, write and sing. I work for KWA to protect, restore and celebrate waterways of Kentucky. I co-own Turtle Farm Pottery with my husband in the RRG, KY. I like to lead by example and I want to make a positive impact on the world.

  • My name is Ayla Hargis, and I am a Warren County native who moved to the Adair/Taylor County area in 2013. After working several years in the nursing field with my CNA license, I decided I needed to go back to school. I chose social work and started my college career off at Somerset Community College when my daughter turned one year old. I transferred and was accepted into the Campbellsville University’s Carver School of Social Work program in 2017, where I received my Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2018. While obtaining my bachelor’s degree at Campbellsville, I was the first online student to receive the “Outstanding Social Work Student” award and in 2025 I received the Judy Cox servant leader award from the Taylor County Chamber. Immediately after graduating with my BSW, I was quickly accepted into the Master of Social Work program and graduated in 2019 with my MSW. I started at Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter in 2018 as a practicum student and advanced into the Executive Director position in 2019 where I currently still work. In March 2025 I began working as an AmeriCorps Vista worker and am excited to serve underserved communities. I also serve on several boards throughout the community including the Cumberlands Workforce Development Board, Taylor County Leadership Committee, Taylor County Interagency, Taylor Co. Middle School Advisory Council, Salvation Army, Kiwanis and Rotary among a few others. I enjoy spending time with my daughter Payten, my family and friends and have a heart to serve whenever and wherever I am able. One of my goals is to help restore hope to those who may have lost it and remind them and others that God loves them no matter where they are in life.

  • I am a community volunteer and member of the Frankfort Independent School Board. Since 2001, I've worked with Chef Ouita Michel and the Holly Hill family, first in restaurant and events management and now as content manager and writer. I've been married to Tom Lowry for over 40 years. We have two grown children and two grandchildren and all of us live in downtown Frankfort. My passions are community, education, food, travel, and writing. My latest project is editing a reprint of Peytonia Cook Book for the University Press of Kentucky.

  • Melissa Helton is Literary Arts Director of Hindman Settlement School. Her work has been in Shenandoah, Women of Appalachia Project, Still: The Journal, and more. Her chapbooks include Inertia: A Study, and Hewn. She is editor of the anthology Troublesome Rising: A Thousand-Year Flood in Eastern Kentucky and Untelling, the literary and arts magazine. Her work has been supported through the Kentucky Foundation for Women and has been awarded prizes in poetry and nonfiction. She taught in colleges and universities for 17 years and is a dual citizen in the UK.

  • Claire is a labor organizer with United Campus Workers of Kentucky (UCW-KY), a wall to wall pre-majority union in public universities across the state. Prior to coming on as a full-time organizer with UCW-KY, they were a graduate worker in the Geography Department at UK, which is where they found and fell in love with organizing. Alongside labor rights, Claire cares deeply about climate and environmental issues, and wants to live in a world where the wellbeing of our planet is prioritized over profit so that humans and nonhumans can coexist freely and peacefully. They cofounded a conversation card game to help people talk about climate change in a way that feels personal and accessible to them. Claire is in love with the plants with whom they share this earth, and spends a lot of their free time sitting amongst them and learning their lifeways.

  • Te’zha is a holistic practitioner, educator, and community doula passionate about healing and youth advocacy. She’s excited to join the RUX Cohort to deepen her impact and build community.

  • I’m Laura Kaylor, a salon owner, tourism commissioner, and community advocate in Greenville, Kentucky. I own Hello Gorgeous Salon & Spa and have spent two decades as an entrepreneur. My work focuses on marketing, placemaking, and event planning to help grow tourism and strengthen my community. I’m passionate about bridging rural and urban connections through creative projects and local initiatives, always looking for ways to bring people together and make a lasting impact.

  • Carrick Moon is a coalition-builder and an organizer, and a partnerships officer at the nonpartisan nonprofit Protect Democracy. He is a 2022 graduate of Indiana University, where he co-founded the Queer Student Union and served as its inaugural president, and researched liberatory pedagogy as a Kovener Fellow. He currently serves on Indiana University’s Queer Philanthropy Circle, Queer Kentucky’s Board of Directors, and as a Civic Fellow with Citizen University. But most personally, Carrick is a native son of Kentucky and a lover of people, especially the stories that make up who we are.

  • Mark Mozingo, a Winchester native, is the Marketing and Promotions Specialist for the UK College of Fine Arts. He is also a professional actor, director, and producer, actively working in film, television, and onstage. Previously, he was Events and Sponsorship Director for the Lexington Art League, coordinating the Woodland Art Fair. Before returning to Kentucky, he lived in New York City, performing Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. He co-founded and served as Associate Artistic Director of AthensWest Theatre Company. Mark holds a BFA in Acting from Wright State University and an Executive MBA from UK/UofL.

  • Crafting and leading creativity workshops online and in person, Lydia's form of community building is through creative problem solving and connection. During work hours, she uses a data-driven approach to design to help small businesses create beautiful, functional, trust-building websites that blow their clients away. With a background in design education, costuming, and public relations, Lydia has been designing storytelling experiences for more than 17 years and brings that experience to creating persuasive, human-centered websites. When she's not designing you can try to catch her and her family outside hiking, gardening, or causing the good kind of mischief.

  • Bethany Pelle is a social practice and craft artist based in Newport, KY. She is the founding artist of Kyndred Collective––a forthcoming artist collective co-created by and with neurodivergent women and non-binary artists in Kentucky. She is motivated by curiosity, embodied experiences of ease and authenticity, and a desire to co-create and inhabit relational ecologies of care and belonging. Pelle has over 20 years of experience in arts facilitation, education, and administration in private, community-based, and academic art settings. She earned an MFA in Ceramics from Tyler School of Art at Temple University and a BFA in Ceramics from University of Miami.

  • Leah Raidt (they/she) is a filmmaker, trauma-informed meditation teacher, wedding officiant, writer and performer. Their mission is to uplift & advance LGBTQ+ artists and narratives toward our collective liberation. Leah directed/produced the short-film LEE BABY, named “Best LGBTQIA+” & “Best Drama” at 2024 Hollywood New Directors Festival, currently streaming on OTV. Leah holds a BFA in Acting from Theatre School at DePaul University, and has over fifteen year’s of professional experience as an actor, producer, teaching artist, and facilitator. Leah served on KY GSA Drama faculty from 2022-2024, and has been a guest teaching artist at KYCAD since 2023.

  • Meet Taylor Ryan, a Black woman who wears multiple hats as a single parent, active community member, nonprofit executive director and founder of Change Today, Change Tomorrow. She is an advocate of fighting against food injustice and public health disparities through direct community outreach in Louisville, KY’s West End. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville where she boasts was the foundation to the ripple effect that is her current environment. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work every day.

    Taylor holds two master's degrees in Adult Education and Leadership Studies, which she uses to champion initiatives that benefit the underserved populations within her community. Her love for the community runs deep, and has continually driven her to work tirelessly towards improving the lives of others. What sets her apart is her commitment to direct outreach in the community. She understands that real change only comes through building relationships and working together to create sustainable solutions.

  • Born and raised in Lexington, Jim Seaver now calls Frankfort home. By day, he works as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Kentucky Historical Society. Before moving back to Kentucky in 2022, Jim spent 11 years teaching at the college level, serving on the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program faculty, and working as a wine educator and brand ambassador for the largest winery east of the Rockies. Jim is a historian and folklorist by training and holds degrees from the University of Kentucky and Indiana University.

  • My name is Duane (or DJ), I live in Morehead. Technically a transplant who moved here as a child, I've grown to love my community and my involvement in it. I have a bachelor's in legal studies and philosophy. I worked in substance use treatment and community mental health as a case manager for about 4 years, and am now pursuing an MSW. Economic justice and structural inequity are important issues to me, as is building dynamic and inclusive communities. RUX excites me as an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, which is just about the most important thing I can think to do.

  • Abeer Sikder is an Eastern Kentuckian Bengali American dog daddy and lifelong learner. He is a Senior Policy Analyst at The Council of State Governments and has authored over 20 publications for the Education and Workforce Team on intersectionality, disability, mental health, and apprenticeships. Abeer also hosts the podcast "Local Global Leaders" for WUKY/NPR. He serves on the boards of New Leaders Council Kentucky, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, and the Access Lexington Commission. Abeer previously taught math in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned a JD from George Washington University Law School and a BA in Economics from the University of Louisville.

  • Sarah Townsend is a Chicago native who has called Kentucky home for nearly 30 years. Married to John Townsend for 21 years, she has a daughter, Tori, a son-in-love, Jeriel, and two beautiful grandkids, Lena and Teddy James. She also shares her home with two special needs rescue dachshunds. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family. As a 20-year educator, she believes in "Maslow Before Bloom" and that strong relationships bridge all divides. Sarah is excited to join the 2025-2026 RUS Cohort to learn, grow, and embrace new perspectives.

  • Leah Van Winkle is a community development leader specializing in rural capacity-building, strategic planning, and inclusive leadership. As Associate Director for Programming at Brushy Fork Leadership Institute, she co-leads the People Ready Communities Leadership Program, supporting cross-sector teams in driving economic and community development. She has guided multiple Eastern Kentucky communities in implementing revitalization projects, fostering collaboration, and securing funding for long-term impact.

  • Nikie Walker is a dynamic leader, educator, and founder of 20/20 Walker Consulting with over 25 years of HR experience, specializing in small to mid-size businesses—especially in healthcare. A devoted wife and proud mother, she is rooted in faith, family, and purpose. Her passion for philanthropy, travel, and education drives her mission to build inclusive workplaces where people thrive. As a speaker and educator, Nikie makes learning relatable and actionable—empowering leaders to grow with confidence and compassion. Whether mentoring, volunteering, or writing for women and youth, she leads with heart, helping others rise with clarity, purpose, and authenticity.

  • Joe is a native Kentuckian who left for a quarter of a century, returning a bit ago because it was the right thing to do. As an artist, photographer and location scout he has traversed all points throughout the US and most corners of the globe. Now, along with his native Siberian wife, Lena, two crazy dogs—Sunshine and Shadow—and a wacky cat, Billie Jo Granite, he is rediscovering home turf. He has created visual projects for the Ohio River Way, that connects people to opportunities for adventure along the 300-mile route to celebrate the unique beauty, culture and communities of the river. Joe is a founding board member of Payne Hollow on the Ohio that is dedicated to preserving the homestead, artistic legacy and land ethic of Harlan and Anna Hubbard. He is developing artistic, cultural and environmental programming at the site and knows that with RUX it will be even better!

  • Meredith serves as the Director of Grants for the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation which supports a rural community in Western Kentucky – Muhlenberg County. Meredith leads the Foundation’s Community Grants, Spruce Up the ‘Berg, and Community Leadership Fund competitive grantmaking programs, in addition to collaborative initiatives between the Foundation and local organizations including the GED Learn & Earn Program, community-wide Health Coalition, as well as partnerships working to solve food insecurity, support workforce readiness, and other areas identified as opportunities for growth in Muhlenberg. Meredith’s life is centered on community, believing that a life well lived is one in service to others.

Class of 2025

  • Mohammad Ahmad is a communications professional and former journalist who created and co-founded the "Northern Kentucky for Palestine Coalition." A proud first-generation Palestinian Muslim, Mohammad uses his background as a Palestinian to empathize with common causes that seek to increase the overall quality of life for those around him. He spent almost three years as a sportscaster and sportswriter and even covered the Cincinnati Bengals for cleveland.com's digital coverage. Now in his second year with RUX, he's hoping to continue learning more about common causes across our Commonwealth so he can help cultivate a better tomorrow for all Kentuckians.

  • For the past ten years, Amy has been working at Campbellsville University with two roles. She works as an instructor of a general education course in the Natural Science Division and serves as the environmental educator at Clay Hill Memorial Forest, a 325-acre nature preserve managed by the University. She obtained her master’s degree in environmental education at the age of 48. She was employed in various capacities before making the decision to return to the academic arena. As a young woman, she was a self-employed craftsperson, making dolls and was a juried member of the Berea Art Fair. She supplemented her income with costume design and as a wardrobe seamstress. Other enriching experience includes working as a recreation director for an Alzheimer’s facility where she was able to incorporate art therapy and being active in a puppeteering group supporting other’s creative visions and also creating a few works of her own. She is excited about the RUX organization because, as someone who grew up in a very rural area of Western Kentucky and moved away as quickly as she could, she sees a need for better understanding between the two demographics.

  • Amanda Briede is the Senior Curator of Exhibitions at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Louisville and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Amanda’s curatorial work centers on the everyday Kentuckian and sharing diverse stories so that everyone can see themselves in Kentucky’s history. Her exhibitions West of Ninth: Race Reckoning and Reconciliation and The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall, and 120: Cool KY Counties have been recipients of state, regional, and national awards including from the American Association of State and Local History, the Southeastern Museums Conference, and the Kentucky Historical Society. In 2023, Amanda’s work contributed to the Frazier History Museum being recognized by the American Alliance of Museums for Advancement in Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. In her most recent project, Amanda curated an exhibition entitled Love & Marriage highlighting courtship and marriage traditions, focusing on the history of women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community in Kentucky.

  • Crystal Bryson-Obrer is the CSBG Grant Contract Coordinator for Louisville Metro Government's Office of Resilience and Community Services. She made the jump to the social sector after a decade-long career in the service industry, and has since worked in youth development, academia, eviction prevention, and Latinx service access until landing her current role in Community Action. When not working, she's volunteering, reading cozy mysteries, or camping with her husband and two dogs. She has a passion for infusing hospitality and joy into the everyday, for workers' dignity and rights, and for normalizing excessive exclamation points in professional emails.

  • Chris Clair lives in Frankfort, Kentucky, with his wife Kimberly and cats Lucky and Nulu. He grew up in Southern Oregon and later spent 19 winters in Chicago and New York before migrating to the Bluegrass State. He worked for nearly 30 years as a journalist covering sports, schools, government, and finance. He now works in the communications office for the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority. In his spare time, he enjoys motorcycle riding, reading, walking, and writing his own short stories. Despite and because of his career in journalism, which often uses tension and conflict to tell deeper truths, Chris is committed to the idea that there is more that connects us than separates us – across the rural-urban gap, across ideologies, and across income disparities. Everyone has a story, and it is through the telling of those stories that we connect with one another.

  • Crystal Fox is a local activist, community leader and organizer. She has over 25 years of experience working with at-risk youth and serving families in the Purchase area through several roles over the years such as case manager, family preservation specialist, mental health associate, and sexual assault response coordinator. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is pursuing a Master’s of Public Administration from Murray State University. She is a founder and Executive Director of Mayfield Enrichment Center, working to bridge gaps in the BIPOC, low income, elderly and often underserved communities in Western Kentucky. Crystal was named the 2022 Wellcare Region 1 Community Champion and has most recently received the 2023 Social Justice Star Award. She is an advocate for mental health awareness, food security, women empowerment and social justice and equity. Crystal resides in Mayfield, KY and is the mother to 4; Aneisha, Aniya, Anovion, and Aniji, and she is also grandmother to 1 year old Xa’Khari. Crystal enjoys being of service to her community, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

  • Stacie Fugate, a proud native of Hazard, Kentucky, is a lifelong daughter of Appalachia. Born and raised in the picturesque mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Stacie's upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for her community, culture, and the beauty of her region.

    Stacie is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Kentucky, with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Appalachian Studies. After completing her education, Stacie returned to Hazard, eager to contribute to the place she calls home. She is currently serving as the interim Executive Director of Appalachians for Appalachia, a grassroots advocacy organization, as well as the Director of InVision Hazard, a citizen's action group dedicated to downtown revitalization.

    Beyond her professional and community endeavors, Stacie enjoys spending time with her friends, her three dogs, and her family. She loves crafting, a good board game, and anything to do with thrift shopping.

    Stacie is so excited to see what the future for Hazard, and Eastern Kentucky at-large, holds and looks forward to being a part of continued successes for the region!

  • AJ Garnett is an educator and counselor who has lived his entire life in Kentucky with a strong passion for improving health in communities that are commonly overlooked. He lives with his two cats that randomly wandered into his home and decided to stay while surrounded with items from as many nerdy hobbies as humanly possible.

  • After growing up and attending college in Calloway County, Liz Hammonds found her forever home in Paducah in 2015. She is a writer, performer, and tourism professional with a Master's Degree in English from Murray State University. A lover of chamber music and live theatre, Liz is a member of Paducah Singers, a semi-professional choral ensemble uniting vocal artists from McCracken County, Southern Illinois, and surrounding areas. She is especially passionate about poetry, having spent most of her higher education studying works by 18th and 19th Century poets while cultivating a deep desire to read and share poems written by women. Liz seeks to discover the roots of Kentucky's diverse cultural heritage while forging lifelong connections with people across the Commonwealth.

  • Siera Rayne Hanks is a community worker, artist, diasporist and organizer from Louisville, Kentucky. She currently works as the Youth Services Coordinator for Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Siera Rayne is an organizer with Jewish Louisvillians for Peace and a member of Sustainable Agriculture Louisville. They love public art and history, interpretive foodways and works in (and on) translation. Siera lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her two cats, Dibby and Shmi-Shmon.

  • Nathaniel Hendrickson is an interdisciplinary artist, painter, curator, documentary filmmaker, and freelance producer based between Casey County and Louisville, KY. Their work explores the edge of performance and visual art and has worked on collaborative projects internationally; They most recently staged an intervention with Pietro Varrasso at the University of Liege School of Architecture’s Borderscapes 2023 on the unique geopolitical region of Mt. St. Pierre, and presented their work at the Multispecies Ethnography and Artistic Methodology conference at the University of Liege School of Anthropology. Currently, their focus lies on exploring themes related to the ecological crisis, human perception, and the metamorphic sublime. Aside from their artistic pursuits, Hendrickson is committed to education. They have served as Drawing and Painting faculty at the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts since 2022.  In the academic year of 2022-2023, they served as the Art & Design Artist-in-Residence at Campbellsville University. They currently serve as Visiting Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Kentucky College of Art + Design in Louisville, KY.

  • Alex Hezik is a proud naturalized Kentuckian who grew up in Campbellsville and now resides in Scottsville. She has a passion for all things food—gardening, food equity, baking/cooking for herself and others, and trying new things when traveling, to name a few. Alex graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in Honors Self-Designed Studies (Sustainable Agriculture). While at WKU, she also completed an undergraduate thesis project pertaining to edible landscaping and graduated from WKU's Chinese Flagship Program. She has worked at Community Farmers Market in Bowling Green since late 2019 and currently serves as Market Co-Manager. She and her partner, Russell, co-own The Local Good Mini Market, a low-waste grocery pop-up that provides locally/regionally-produced food items in a bulk refill format.

  • Kierahn Johnson, a dedicated advocate for justice and equality, brings a wealth of experience and passion to his work in fostering positive change. With over six years of dedicated study towards becoming a Baptist pastor, Kierahn embodies the spirit of faith and compassion that guides his actions.

    As a board member of the United Nations Association of the USA Kentucky Division, Kierahn channels his fervor for global engagement into local action, striving to make a profound impact on both a local and global scale. Through his efforts, Kierahn seeks to promote understanding, cooperation, and transformative change in and between communities near and far.

    An ardent student of philosophy, Kierahn is inspired by the timeless wisdom of great erudites, like Dr. King and St. Augustine, whose legacies continue to shape his worldview and inform his advocacy efforts.

    Kierahn's passion for bridging cultural divides is evident in his work as a board member of Focus on Race Relations based in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he engages in vital conversations about race and endeavors to forge pathways toward unity and reconciliation.

    Kierahn's leadership extends to his role as a former conference administrator for Innovation to Action, where he facilitated collaboration and innovation in addressing global health challenges.

    Driven by a deep sense of purpose and a vision of a brighter future for all, Kierahn is dedicated to the relentless pursuit and proliferation of good.

  • Colby Lilly, a native Berean whose family roots date back multiple generations in the Appalachian foothills, brings his queer, leftist, and rural perspective to Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange’s 2024-2025 cohort. With experience in non-profit community development, fundraising, investment, and grassroots organizing, Colby is excited to contribute his views to a collective narrative that gives voice to Kentuckians of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Values of justice, equity, and enchantment are at the core of his volunteer activism, which spans LGBTQ+ advocacy, racial justice, food security, and anti-oppressive pedagogy. He is passionate about dismantling existing power structures in order to restore power to everyday Americans, thereby strengthening democratic institutions. A true gourmand, he enjoys gardening, cooking, and eating well. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading political exposés, and watching historical documentaries.

  • Laurel Mallory (she/her) is a marketing professional at the nonprofit Metro United Way, where she has worked for nearly three years. She creates videos and other content to inspire empathy and understanding, promote equity, and make our community a better place for all to live. A 10-year veteran of local TV news, she’s always been passionate about writing and communicating to connect people with new ideas and important information.

    Laurel believes equity starts with the youngest among us, which is why she helped found Louisville’s chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails free books every month to kids under the age of 5. She was recently selected to serve as that nonprofit’s board president. She is also a member of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville and is a recent graduate of YPAL’s Emerging Leaders program. In her free time, she dances at Ambo Dance Theatre and enjoys exploring her community.

    Laurel was born and raised in the smallest county in Kentucky: Robertson County. She currently lives in the Germantown neighborhood of Louisville with her rescue dog and cat. They enjoy spending time outdoors and with family and friends.

  • Michael Massey is an MPH student at the University of Louisville. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, he lived in various cities across the American Southwest due to the assignments of his military parents. Throughout his twelve years within the 502 area, he has involved himself in various community organizations. His goal for his return to Kentucky RUX is to deepen his understanding about how the setting impacts community life through connecting with rural Kentuckians. After graduating, he hopes to attend medical school so he can treat underserved communities in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) as a physician.

  • Tamara is currently working as an Assistant Vice President at Jefferson Community and Technical College. Her undergraduate degree is in General Studies with a minor is Sociology from Indiana University Southeast. She completed her graduate degree from the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. She has a deep passion for creating a more inclusive, accessible and equitable public education system; youth advocacy, restorative justice, transformative justice and racial justice efforts.

  • Jennifer Schworm is a social worker and public servant, holding a BSW from Morehead State University and an MSW from the University of Kentucky. Currently occupying a statewide leadership position within the child welfare system, she emphasizes collaboration, creative problem-solving, and comprehensive system knowledge to address the needs of children in foster care. Jennifer's leadership approach is grounded in service, empathy, and advocacy, underscored by a commitment to fostering critical thinking, vulnerability, and ongoing personal growth.


    Residing in Morehead with her husband, Brian, Jennifer enjoys their shared love for animals, nature, and travel. In her free time, she finds solace and inspiration outdoors through activities like hiking, kayaking, and simple porch sitting. Additionally, Jennifer channels her creativity through pottery and photography, often showcasing her work at small craft fairs, relishing in both the environment and the meaningful connections forged with fellow artisans and attendees.

  • Nikki Siababa (she/síya) is a third generation Visayan/Iloko American born & raised in California's East Bay. Since moving to Northern Kentucky, she has organized with grassroots groups like OPAWL - Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, Black Power Initiative (BPI), and NKY for Palestine. She is now the Urban Energy & Climate Justice Organizer for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC). Nikki believes that making learning accessible can be a radically beautiful act, and enjoys finding ways to do so that inspire connection, solidarity and continued curiosity. On her downtime you can find her exploring the outdoors with her little family or lounging at home with their adorable and rascally cats.

  • T'Von Terry is still exploring and experiencing with life, evolving and elevating every day while still making music/rap and even exploring a recent pathway in poetry. T'Von has also become more dedicated to fostering positive social change in Kentucky. As an active member of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange and an alum of the Governor's School for the Arts, T'Von holds a strong commitment to agriculture, artistic expression, and civic participation. Additionally, his wealth of experience in community engagement, project management, event planning and coordination, and grassroots organizing lends well to his current role as a Community Food Leader with the Food Literacy Project and recent his recent role with Sacred Earth Garden as a Young Urban Gardener.

  • Belle is the Communications Director for the Kentucky AFL-CIO, representing over 100,000 members in the fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and stronger communities through solidarity and collective action. They manage social media, lobby on bills, and contribute to mobilization and union organizing efforts across Kentucky. With over five years of experience in political and civic engagement, Belle has worked on eight Kentucky election cycles. They are also a multi-published poet, author of three chapbooks, and founder of Backwoods Literary Press, dedicated to amplifying diverse rural voices.

  • David Wolff is a tour guide, film festival director, LGBTQ+ activist, marathon runner and life-long Kentuckian. He has lived in four of Kentucky’s 120 counties. After working for 30+ years in the airline and publishing industries, David now is excited to follow his passions. He now leads food tours in Covington and Cincinnati (OH). He enjoys sharing little known details and unique places with visitors to the area. He is a founding member of and is currently the festival director of OutReels Cincinnati. Greater Cincinnati’s LGBTQ+ film festival is now in its 14th year. David works to improve the lives of the LGBTQ + community. Among other efforts, he chairs the “LGBTQ+ & Allies” group at the church he has attended for over 50 years. In 2023, he received the Northern Kentucky Pride Center’s “Activist of the Year” award. In his spare time David runs -exploring neighborhoods and towns - while he trains for marathons. He has completed 26 marathons and 16 half-marathons around the world. David has also appeared as an extra in over a dozen films, several of which are set in or have been shot in Kentucky.

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