Business/Organization Represented:
University of Louisville

Dr. Douglas Craddock, Jr. is the Vice President of Community Engagement & University Relations at the University of Louisville, where he plays a pivotal role in enhancing and expanding the institution’s outreach and impact within the community.

With a focus on broadening connections and fostering collaboration, Dr. Craddock is instrumental in driving the university’s mission to contribute positively to the region’s social and economic development.

In his capacity, Dr. Craddock oversees a variety of key initiatives, including the Signature Partnership, a program dedicated to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for residents of West Louisville. This initiative seeks to bridge gaps in social, educational, health, and economic areas through strategic partnerships with government bodies, educational institutions, and other organizations. His leadership in this program underscores his commitment to addressing disparities and promoting equitable growth within the community.

Dr. Craddock also manages several other impactful programs, such as Cards Come Together—a week of service organized by the university aimed at fostering community engagement among students and staff. Additionally, he oversees federally funded programs like TRIO, Upward Bound, and Talent Search, which provide crucial support to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs are designed to enhance educational access and opportunities for underrepresented groups. His role also extends to the student philanthropy program and the UofL Annual Engaged Scholarship Symposium, which highlight and promote the university’s dedication to community service and scholarly engagement.

Dr. Craddock earned his doctoral degree in Higher Education and Administration from the University of Alabama. His academic and professional expertise lies in community-based participatory research, civic engagement, and higher education administration. His passion for improving organizational practices and fostering effective community collaboration is central to his work, reflecting a deep commitment to enhancing teamwork and mutual support among individuals and institutions.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Craddock is an active community volunteer and enjoys spending quality time with his family. He is a strong advocate for the principle of “lift as you climb,” emphasizing the importance of education and social mobility. His dedication to these values is evident through his involvement with several community boards, including Metro United Way, One West, Opportunity Partnership, and the Local Initiative Corporation Board.

Dr. Craddock’s contributions to the community and his leadership have not gone unnoticed. He has been honored as one of Louisville’s Top 40 under 40 and is a distinguished member of the Leadership Louisville 2021–2022 Class. Additionally, he received the New Leaders Council Fellowship in 2022 and was a participant in the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2023. These accolades reflect his influential role in community development and his ongoing commitment to fostering positive change.

In his role at the University of Louisville, Dr. Craddock continues to drive initiatives that build bridges between the university and the community, leveraging his expertise to create lasting, impactful change.

Board Secretary & Development Committee Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
Volunteers of America Mid-States

Jennifer Hancock is the President and CEO of Volunteers of America of Mid-States. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Kentucky and earned her license to practice independently in 2001.

Jennifer has served in many capacities during her more than 25 years of professional leadership in the nonprofit sector and her 17 years advancing the mission of VOA. Under her leadership, VOA has become a nationally recognized expert in providing family-focused and results-oriented solutions for the opioid and addiction crisis.  Working closely with a wide range of elected officials and community leaders, the organization has earned consistent recognition for providing best-practice care in more than 30 programs across four states.

Since becoming CEO in 2015, Jennifer has led VOA through unprecedented growth and now oversees a $61MM budget and a team of more than 650 professionals. In addition to addiction recovery services, VOA also delivers solutions in the areas of veteran services, including suicide prevention, housing and homelessness, public health, comprehensive care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a Restorative Justice program that helps to keep youth out of the criminal justice system. Her love for bringing diverse stakeholders together to solve complex social problems and seeing the tangible and many positive outcomes of the mission of VOA is what drives her most.

Jennifer is active in the community, serving on many boards, including as Chair of Impetus for a Better Louisville, University of Louisville Board of Overseers, University of Louisville School of Public Health, Smart on Crime, West End Opportunity Partnership, Louisville Economic Development Alliance, AdventHealth Hospital, 1 Clay County, You Decide, Kentucky!, and as an Advisory Council Member of Young Professionals Association of Louisville. She was recently honored to have her experience in the addictions field featured in Newsweek Magazine.  Jennifer received the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Business First Power 50 Awards and the 2022 Enterprising Women Award.

Business/Organization Represented:
Office of the Governor of Kentucky

In February 2024, Keith Jackson was appointed Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Immediately prior to stepping into this leadership role, Jackson served as the cabinet’s deputy secretary. He understands the cabinet’s critical role in creating safer communities for all and works to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky communities through an approach centered on protecting citizens, restoring victims, and reforming wrongdoers – all in a focused environment where everything is measured for accountability and performance.

Prior to joining the cabinet, Secretary Jackson served as the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs where he was the Governor’s representative and advisor on all veterans-related matters and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Department’s Benefits Branch, four Veteran Nursing Homes, five State Veteran Cemeteries, Employment Services Program, Homeless Veterans Program and Women Veterans Program.

During his 27-year career in the U.S. Army Reserves, Secretary Jackson served in numerous capacities ranging from platoon leader up to Battalion Command. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at Ft Knox, KY; Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, KS; and the Multifunctional Logistics Course at Ft Lee, VA. He served in Iraq in 2006 as the Operations Officer of the 352nd Combat Service Battalion, which conducted combat logistic patrols. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. In 2008, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and selected as Battalion Commander of the 373rd Quartermaster Battalion.

In addition to his military service, he began his municipal and public service career in January 1991 with the Lexington Fire Department. His first assignment was as a Firefighter with Engine Company 9. In 1993, he was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic and assigned to Emergency Care 6. Jackson was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, Captain in 2002, and Major in 2010 when he became the Hazardous Material Team leader for the Department. In 2011, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Administration, and then Interim Chief that same year. In June 2012, Chief Jackson made history by becoming the first African American appointed Chief of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services. In this capacity, he managed a 56-million-dollar budget, 540 Firefighters and 23 stations.

Secretary Jackson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and received his commission from the University of Kentucky in 1987.

Business/Organization Represented:
Park Hill Neighborhood

Darlene Johnson-Jones retired after a 32-year career in telecommunications. She had a brief period working as a sales associate and bookkeeper at Home Depot. She holds degrees in accounting and computer programming. Since relocating to Louisville in 1985, she has been active with Telephone Pioneers, Clout, and Good Government. She is a trained EMT and is married to a native of Louisville. Her hobbies include gardening, fishing, hiking, and relishing the great outdoors.

Board Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
California Neighborhood

Dr. Mary Milliner is a certified teacher with a Doctorate of Education in leadership, a Master of Arts in teaching, specializing in Elementary Education, Instructional Computer Technology Endorsement, and a Master of Arts in School Counseling, with ten-plus years of youth and community service volunteerism, advocacy, and service training/education.

Dr. Milliner volunteered as Shawnee District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Cub Master – Brandies Elementary School, Program Specialist BOA Center for Women & Families, Policy Council & Advisory Council Member – Head Start Program Carter/DuValle Family Resource Center, National Honor Society Leader Clarksville Middle School, Archery, Rube Goldberg & Chess Team coach, as well as Black History Month Program Coordinator – Bridgepoint Elementary School.