Laura Douglas Appointed President/CEO of The Partnership, Leading Through 2026
LOUISVILLE, KY–December 13, 2024—Following her successful tenure as Interim President/CEO since July 2022, The Partnership is proud to announce Laura Douglas’s official appointment as President/CEO, set to lead the organization through 2026.
During her time as Interim President/CEO, Douglas achieved significant milestones in advancing The Partnership’s mission and initiatives. She collaborated with the Board of Directors to complete a series of community engagement sessions, which informed the creation of The Partnership’s inaugural Community Engagement Report. This report provides valuable insights into the needs and priorities identified by residents across West Louisville neighborhoods.
Additionally, Douglas led the board in establishing investment criteria that define the types of projects The Partnership will support. She also spearheaded the development of a streamlined, user-friendly application process for those seeking funding. Moreover, her leadership played a pivotal role in securing top-tier financial advisers and accounting expertise, selecting Baird and Crowe to ensure a robust financial foundation for the organization’s future endeavors.
“I am honored by the Board’s trust and collaboration as we worked to enhance the resources and initiatives available to the residents of West Louisville,” said Laura Douglas, President/CEO of The Partnership. “Over the next two years, we plan to further strengthen The Partnership’s community investment portfolio by partnering with new and existing organizations to bring housing developments, businesses, and nonprofits to the area. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the positive impact we can achieve together.”
With her exceptional leadership, deep community connections, and demonstrated ability to drive meaningful progress, Douglas is well-positioned to lead The Partnership into a new era of impactful growth and development. As she transitions into her role, Ms. Douglas and the Chair will collaborate with the Board to engage a search firm to identify her successor.
Additionally, the Partnership’s officers for 2025 have been elected, and this group will officially serve as the Board’s Executive Committee:
Chair: Dr. Mary Milliner, California Neighborhood
Vice Chair: Dr. Douglas Craddock, Jr., University of Louisville
Treasurer: William Summers, V, Republic Bank
Secretary: Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America, Mid-states
Chair of Community Engagement: Dr. Gaberiel Jones, Jr, Russell Neighborhood
Chair of Board Development & Governance: Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America, Mid-states
These officers were elected at the annual meeting held on Monday, December 2, 2024. For more information on The Partnership, please visit https://westendpartners.org
About The West End Opportunity Partnership:
The West End Opportunity Partnership is a public corporation established in 2021 by the Kentucky General Assembly.
Contact:
Laura Douglas
502-303-5251
