Louisville Zoo’s Popular “Happy Hour” Events Return

Evening Only Events for Guests 21 and Older

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 24, 2024) – Get ready to experience the Louisville Zoo like never before. The Zoo’s popular “Hump Day Happy Hour” is returning this spring and summer, offering unique after-hours experiences exclusively for guests aged 21 and over. With special animal encounters, delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to unwind mid-week.

Hump Day Happy Hour is set for Wednesday, May 8 and Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each, which includes Zoo entry, appetizers, and two drink tickets valid for beer, wine, or a specialty cocktail. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The May 8 Happy Hour, “Puuurfect Pairings,” will highlight the Zoo’s coolest cats at the Tiger Taiga and Snow Leopard Pass exhibits. The July 10 Happy Hour, “Sunset Safari,” will showcase a variety of fascinating animals.

Attendees should bring a valid ID. This event is for guests 21 and older. No one under 21 will be admitted to the event.  Tickets are non-refundable, with no rainchecks or discounts available. For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org/happyhours.

ZOO HOURS

The Zoo is open daily year-round. Spring/summer hours are 10 a.m. ─ 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more info.

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About the Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Wall Street Journal and New York Times Best-Selling Authors, Popular Podcast Host, and Fortune 500 Executive Coach coming to Louisville for the May 22nd LeadingBetter™ Summit

Tickets selling out for this hybrid event

Louisville, Kentucky (April 25, 2024) – For the 11th year of this leadership development event, speakers for the annual LeadingBetter™ Summit include two best-selling authors, a Stanford professor, author, and podcast host, and experts in communications and collaboration. Presented by sponsor PNC Bank and speaker sponsor Humana, the annual day of learning will be delivered as a hybrid event experience, with the opportunity to attend in-person at The Kentucky Center (501 W. Main. St., Louisville, KY) or participate in an interactive virtual event.

As the region’s largest communication and collaboration event, the Summit brings together global experts for a full day of relevant, leading-edge guidance that you can apply right away – to boost performance and your ability to lead with courage and confidence. Attendees will leave feeling inspired and equipped to lead after hearing our speaker’s engaging content addressing some of the most important challenges today’s leaders, including:

  • Kim Scott, Author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and co-founder of the company Radical During her career in the tech industry, Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies, and served as a faculty member at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google.

“Radical Candor”

Want to be a kick-ass boss? It can be as simple as saying what you think while also giving a damn about the person you’re saying it to. At the Summit, Kim Scott will introduce key Radical Candor concepts, providing tips and tactics to help you improve feedback and create a culture of guidance based on two core principles: Caring Personally and Challenging Directly.

  • Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. He is a lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and is known for providing tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously. Outside of the classroom, he has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations.

“Think Faster. Talk Smarter”

Communication is critical to success in business and life. Concerned about an upcoming interview? Anxious about being asked to give your thoughts during a meeting? Fearful about needing to provide critical feedback in the moment? You are not alone! Many of us are uneasy about speaking in public, especially in impromptu, “off the cuff” situations. Matt Abrahams will teach techniques that will help you speak spontaneously with greater confidence and clarity, regardless of content and context.

  • Shanterra McBride & Rosalind Wiseman, co-authors of Courageous Rosalind Wiseman is the author of nine books including the New York Times Best Seller “Queen Bees and Wannabees,” which was the basis for the movie and Broadway Musical Mean Girls. Shanterra McBride is an international teacher and author, and founder of Marvelous University. Lifelong friends and co-authors of “Courageous Discomfort,” McBride and Wiseman bring with them a handbook for anyone who wants to have better, more productive conversations. This session at the Summit will feature two incredible thought leaders, whose personal relationship will offer a lively and candid discussion, leaving attendees empowered to have uncomfortable but critical conversations.

“Courageous Discomfort”

We live in a time where it can feel too hard to have honest conversations. However, everyone loses when we become worried about saying the wrong thing, and when no one says anything regarding how they think or feel. So how do we create and sustain a community where people feel they can ask questions and make mistakes? How do we know when to advocate for each other or how to receive feedback when our intentions don’t match our impact? Rosalind Wiseman and Shanterra McBride will show you how with warmth, grace, and humor.

  • Justin Jones-Fosu MBA, CSP is a workplace engagement expert, author, and CEO of Meaningful. As the founder Work. Meaningful., Justin advises some of the biggest names in the Fortune 500 and organizations across the globe on how to take ownership of their mindset, purpose, and performance to achieve amazing results. Justin is the author of three books, “Your WHY Matters Now: How Some Achieve More and Others Don’t,” “The Inclusive Mindset: How to Cultivate Diversity in Your Everyday Life,” and “I respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World.” Additionally, he was featured in EBONY Magazine as “30 Young Leaders on the Rise.” SMART CEO Magazine, and the Baltimore Business Journal. As a dual citizen of Ghana and the United States, he is an active social entrepreneur, known for facilitating learning through humor, rhythm, and passion.

“Lead and Work to a Different Beat”

Bring your best self to work, everyday. Using the African drum as a metaphor of bringing meaning, Justin Jones- Fosu creates an unforgettable experience that will inspire you to take immediate action in how you show up. His perspective on how engagement starts with employees (and not in the boardroom) will help empower people to see the best in their teams in order to maximize effectiveness, creativity, and productivity leading to positive changes in the workplace. He’ll discuss the 4 Work Meaningful Quadrants and how to apply it to create deeper and more meaningful connections and conversations among teams.

  • Cara Boardman is a Talent Development Leader, responsible for trainings and workshops for LeadingBetter™ and the Leadership Louisville Center. Cara comes with over a decade of experience in education as a former high school teacher in Chicago and a corporate learning and development professional in Seattle and now Louisville. She has worked as a teen parent advocate, college advisor, and associate director of learning and development at Wiley University Services. In her most recent role as an HR Consultant at LINAK, Cara translated learning theory into real-world training applications in a manufacturing environment and implemented behavioral coaching for emerging leaders. Curiosity is at the heart of Cara’s professional work; she believes that if leaders can get curious about what scares them, there is no limit to their potential.

“Psychological Safety & High Performance Teams”

Developing and leading high-performance teams can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your career – and also one of the most challenging. By understanding how to create and sustain psychological safety, you can unlock the full potential of your people and increase organizational and team effectiveness.

  • Lisa Zangari is the Executive Coach in Residence at Leadership Louisville Center and LeadingBetter™, and is a frequent speaker at events and conferences around the Her work has been published in TD Magazine and in 2017, Lisa was also recognized as one of Business First’s 20 People to Know in Career Development. Most recently, Influence Digest named Lisa as one of the Top 15 Coaches in Louisville. Prior to joining the Center, Lisa spent over a decade as a management consultant in New York City, where she partnered closely with organizations to develop new products, launch new ventures and nurture more innovative corporate cultures. She’s designed numerous leadership programs for companies like AARP, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Citibank, Disney, Hasbro, Pfizer, The Acumen Fund, The Hershey Company, and more. In addition to leading a team in North America, this invigorating work gave Lisa the opportunity to travel to Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

“Building a Culture of Accountability”

Fostering a culture of accountability improves performance, inspires confidence, enables innovation, increases engagement, and drives long-term results. Yet it’s one of the management areas that proves most challenging for many of us. This interactive session will explore the role of psychological safety in unlocking the mindsets and behaviors necessary for accountability. Leaders will also learn five strategies for creating an organizational culture that promotes and reinforces the critical building blocks of trust and commitment: define expectations and goals, connect and build relationships, develop your feedback skills, role model being accountable, and recognize and celebrate progress. Through group exercises and stories from renowned brands such as Four Seasons, Netflix, and Zappos, you will walk away with inspiration and practical tools that can be applied back at work immediately.

The 2024 LeadingBetter™ Summit will be hosted at The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville, KY, with a virtual event option available. Individual tickets are $495 for in-person, and $295 for virtual attendance. Sponsorships and special group rates are available by contacting Jennifer Stevens, jstevens@leadershiplouisville.org or (502) 561-5231.

This annual day-long summit is a unique professional development opportunity for leaders at all levels. Attendees range from up-and-coming leaders to C-suite executives, with nearly 70% working at a director level or above. Both the in-person and virtual events offer valuable business networking opportunities both within and beyond the Louisville region.

Over 200 different companies and organizations attend this leadership conference each year, including the area’s top five largest publicly traded companies, two Fortune 100 and two Fortune 500 companies, and several large private-sector employers. Nearly 30% of virtual attendees are from outside of Louisville. Industries represented include businesses from large to small, Professional services (Accounting, Law, Real Estate, Builders, Financial Services, Insurance, etc.), Education, Government, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Nonprofit organizations.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

  • Presenting Sponsor: PNC Bank
  • Speaker Sponsor: Humana,
  • Additional Support provided by: Ogle Foundation,
  • Gold Sponsors Advanced Business Solutions; DBS Interactive; EY; and Farm Credit Mid-America
  • Silver Sponsors: Extell Financial Services; Givaudan Sense Colour; Louisville Business First; Louisville Public Media; and Yum! Brands, Inc.
  • Bronze Sponsors: Cherry Bekaert; Hardscuffle, ; Kroger; Texas Roadhouse; and Volunteers of America Mid-States

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE CENTER & LEADINGBETTER™

For over 45 years, the Leadership Louisville Center has helped thousands of individuals be better and do better. After decades of working with leaders in the Kentuckiana region, the Center recognized two recurring themes for those making a substantial impact: a focus on individual growth and a commitment to bettering the community. To embrace this idea of social impact leadership, the Center launched LeadingBetter™ to help expand the mission into the region and throughout the country. LeadingBetter™ helps grassroots organizations to Fortune 500 companies create stronger leaders and

higher-performing teams through exceptional, experiential training. Learn more at www.leadingbetter.com.

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The Louisville Zoo logo

The Louisville Zoo Earns Prestigious Accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Louisville, Ky. (April 25, 2024) – The Louisville Zoo is proud to announce that it has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of animal care, conservation and education. The accreditation was awarded during AZA’s Mid-Year Meeting held in Memphis, TN, where the Louisville Zoo was among the 28 facilities to receive this prestigious recognition.

AZA accreditation represents the “gold standard” in the zoological and aquarium profession, ensuring that accredited facilities meet and exceed rigorous standards in animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation efforts, scientific advancement, safety and security. Dan Ashe, AZA’s president and chief executive officer, congratulated Louisville Zoo staff for achieving this esteemed recognition, emphasizing the dedication to excellence exhibited by the facility.

“Receiving accreditation is a rigorous process and is never a guarantee,” said Dan Maloney, Louisville Zoo Director. “It is proof positive that we are dedicated to the highest standards in animal care, ethics, conservation and education. I am extremely proud of our staff and delighted to share in my first accreditation process here at the Louisville Zoo.”

The accreditation process involves a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection conducted by an independent team of zoological professionals. Every aspect of the facility’s operation is thoroughly assessed, including animal welfare, veterinary care, staff training, safety protocols, educational programs, conservation initiatives, financial stability, risk management, governance and guest services.

“Through this thorough review process, AZA ensures that accredited facilities continuously meet and exceed ever-rising standards,” added Maloney. “This accreditation is not only a recognition of our past achievements but also a commitment to maintaining excellence in the future.”

As a condition of association membership, AZA-accredited facilities must undergo this rigorous accreditation process every five years to maintain their status. With accreditation, the public can trust that the animals at the Louisville Zoo receive the highest level of care and well-being, with a steadfast commitment to their conservation in the wild.

There are 236 AZA-accredited institutions and 15 AZA-accredited related facility members throughout the U.S. and 12 other countries. For a complete list of accredited AZA facilities, please visit https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list.

The Louisville Zoo logo

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About The Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

Carol Dan Browning Appointed Chair of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Group

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 25, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC recently appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Carol Dan Browning as Chair of the firm’s Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Group.

“We are incredibly happy to have Carol lead the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Group,” stated Marjorie A. Farris, Chair of Stites & Harbison. “She is one of the top attorneys across the Midwest and Southeast regions of the country when it comes to product liability litigation. Her exemplary legal skills combined with her leadership experience at Stites will serve the firm and our clients well.”

Browning is a Member (Partner) based in Stites & Harbison’s Louisville, Ky., office. She is an accomplished trial attorney who has tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict in multiple jurisdictions. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, North America’s preeminent organization of trial lawyers. Browning’s practice includes drug and medical device litigation, products liability and medical malpractice defense. She serves as national or state counsel for multiple drug, medical device and product manufacturers and is involved in multi-district litigation pending in various federal district courts and in coordinated litigation pending in state courts throughout Kentucky.

Browning stays active in a variety of professional and community organizations. She is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Product Liability Advisory Council. She also previously served on the Louisville Ballet’s Board of Directors. Within the firm, she is a former Chair of the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group and a former member of the Management Committee.

About Stites & Harbison

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com.

Southern Indiana Works to Launch Youth SummerWorks Program

Local teens and young adults ages 16-21 will again have the opportunity to participate in a summer employment program that allows them to earn a wage while learning skills they can take into the workforce and beyond.

New Albany, IN – Southern Indiana Works (SIW), the Local Workforce Development Board, is returning with their second year of the SIW SummerWorks program in Southern Indiana. The participating communities are Charlestown, Clarksville, Floyd County, New Albany, and Jeffersonville. An important part of SIW’s mission is to cultivate a skilled workforce. They are working toward that goal by prioritizing next-gen talent, among other initiatives.

“I’m excited for the continuation and expansion of SummerWorks here in southern Indiana,” said Tony Waterson, President & CEO of Southern Indiana Works. “We are expanding last year’s pilot by partnering with additional local municipalities this summer and expanding the program to more youth and worksites. We are continuing our partnership with New Albany, Charlestown, and Clarksville, and adding opportunities with Jeffersonville and Floyd County this year.”

SummerWorks provides work experiences to young people so they can build their employability skills, contribute to their local community, and explore new career fields. Clarksville Parks and Recreation Superintendent, BJ Nelson Lynton, looks forward to hiring five youth in the parks maintenance department. “We are excited to partner with Southern Indiana Works once again, empowering youth and shaping a brighter future together,” said Nelson Lynton.

Youth apply to the program, are interviewed, and are placed at one of the worksites based on their location and interests. The paid summer jobs also include weekly job readiness workshops. The program prioritizes youth applicants who face barriers and come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges is honored to participate in the SummerWorks program again this year. “We are proud to have an opportunity to engage with youth in public service work and to support critical programs like the SummerWorks program that help young people identify pathways to successful and fulfilling careers,” said Mayor Hodges.  

In 2023, the pilot year of SIW SummerWorks, 17 youth in Floyd and Clark County worked 1,800 hours during the six-week program.  SummerWorks was the first experience of employment for 30% of participants. The participants were surveyed at the end of the summer and reported that:

  • 100% felt that they were better prepared for their next job because of the experience;
  • 100% believed that they learned new skills during their work experience;
  • 100% felt supported by the staff of their worksite; and
  • 3% would recommend their SummerWorks employer to another student or participant.

Participant employers were also surveyed and 100% of the surveyed supervisors would host another SummerWorks participant in 2024, and supervisors would recommend 93.3% of the participants for future employment.

Youth interested in the program can register at www.soinworks.com/summerworks.          

For additional information about SIW SummerWorks, contact Brittany Dougherty at brittany@soinworks.com.

 

About Southern Indiana Works, the Local Workforce Development Board

 Southern Indiana Works (SIW) is non-profit 501(c)3 and the Local Workforce Development Board that embraces a mission to lead a robust talent development system and cultivate a skilled workforce that advances our community, economy, and quality of life. Serving Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Crawford, Scott and Washington counties in Indiana, SIW envisions a workforce that empowers regional business to be competitive in the global economy. To make this vision a reality SIW prioritizes talent development, economic development, and next-gen talent while maintaining a customer centric system. www.soinworks.com

Wendy Dant Chesser named 2024 IU Southeast Distinguished Alumnus

New Albany, Ind. (April 16, 2024) – Jeffersonville native, Wendy Dant Chesser, has been awarded the honor of IU Southeast Distinguished Alumni. An award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in the IU Southeast Library as part of the annual statewide IU Day. Chesser received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana University Southeast in 1991.  The ceremony is open to the public.

In October 2023, Chesser joined the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) after working as a Chamber executive for nearly 20 years.  Driven by a strong desire to implement change that establishes stronger economic growth, a better educated and better-paid workforce, and a structure of advocacy within the State of Indiana, Chesser is recognized as a community leader within her community, helping to maximize opportunities and overcome challenges.

The River Ridge Commerce Center has become one of the nation’s premier business and industrial parks.  Located on 6,000 acres along the Ohio River in Southern Indiana, River Ridge is an economic driver for the entire region, attracting top-tier employers and well-paying jobs to the community.  Chesser’s role as Chief Director, Corporate Strategy & External Affairs is to ensure that the business environment within Indiana and the greater region is conducive to River Ridge replacing the economic loss suffered when the US Army closed its operations at the site.  And the RRDA team is well on its way to recovery, with 2023’s economic output from the park exceeding $2.89 billion and supporting nearly 12,000 jobs.

Chesser returned to her home area in 2012 to serve as President and CEO of 1si, the area Chamber of Commerce and state-recognized local economic development organization for Clark, Floyd, and Scott counties.  Before her move home, she served as President of Cornerstone Alliance, a similar organization in Southwest Michigan, and she worked in various aspects of economic development with the State of Indiana, finishing her government career as Deputy Executive Director for Program Operations of the Indiana Department of Commerce.

Chesser is a present or past member of several professional organizations, including the International Economic Development Council and economic development associations in both Indiana and Michigan. She currently serves as Legislative Committee Chair and Past Chair for the Indiana Economic Development Association.  Locally, she has served on the Boards for the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Louisville Zoo Foundation, Ivy Tech-Sellersburg Trustees, Louisville’s Regional Airlift Development, and the YMCA of Greater Louisville.

Chesser was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2015 by Consultant Connect. The Indiana Economic Development Association awarded her the “Economic Development Professional of the Next Half-Century” in June, 2018.  And in 2016, her Indiana peers named her the “Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year.”  In both 2022 and 2023, the Indianapolis Business Journal named Chesser one of the “Indiana 250,” recognizing her as one of the most influential business leaders in the state.

In addition to Chesser, six additional IU Southeast alumni will be recognized with the Alumni Award of Excellence. Those being recognized include Greg Roberts, representing the School of Arts & Letters; Tirza Howard, School of Business; Nashiea Edmiston, School of Education; Katherine Sellers, School of Natural Sciences; Charlotte Ipsan, School of Nursing, and Ideisha Bellamy, representing the School of Social Sciences.

“It’s truly inspiring to see the remarkable achievements of the IU Southeast alumni award recipients and the profound impact they’ve had on their communities, professions, and alma mater,” said Megan Hicks, director of alumni relations and campus events. “Each recipient embodies the spirit of excellence and dedication, demonstrating a commitment to making a difference in the world around them.”

 

IU Southeast Alumni Award of Excellence

Greg Roberts

Greg Roberts is a seasoned academic and dedicated community leader with a rich tapestry of experience. With nearly three decades of experience as an academic advisor and educator, Roberts has provided invaluable guidance and support to countless students on their educational journeys.

In addition to his academic role, Roberts is deeply involved in community service, serving as President of the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association. His commitment to fostering a sense of unity and improving the quality of life for residents has earned him several awards, including the Mayor’s Leadership Award.

Within the academic realm, Robert’s leadership extends to his positions as Assistant to the Dean in the School of Arts and Letters and Manager of Interdisciplinary Programs. In these roles, he has championed collaboration and innovation, shaping programs that prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Roberts’ dedication to education, community, and interdisciplinary collaboration underscores his commitment to making a positive impact wherever he goes.

 

Tirza Howard

Tirza Howard was born and raised in Winchester, KY. She currently resides in Louisville with her two children.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Indiana University Southeast.

Howard worked in Human Resources for 8 years at a local utility company. She is a certified business coach, led company-wide initiatives, facilitated training, handled employee issues, and more.

Today, Howard is a growing entrepreneur. She’s the Broker/Owner of The Howard Realty Co. The Howard Realty Co assists families with homeownership in the Greater Louisville and Lexington Bluegrass areas. Howard is passionate about educating her clients on the value of real estate and ownership. Her motto is “good business” ensuring she goes above and beyond for every client, every time.

 

Nashiea Edmiston

Nashiea Edmiston, a distinguished IU Southeast alumna, earned her Bachelor’s in 2016 and was named Teacher of the Year at Pleasant Ridge Elementary in 2023. She has also served as a Cooperating Teacher to numerous IU Southeast Student Teachers, finding it fulfilling and a great way to give back.

Edmiston is set to receive the Regina Oglesby Minority Teacher Scholarship for her pursuit of her Master’s Degree at the end of the month at the Champions for Children event. Edmiston is honored to be recognized with the IU Southeast Alumni of Excellence Award.

 

 

Katherine Sellers

Since graduating from IU Southeast in 2009, Dr. Katherine Sellers has gained 15 years of biomedical research experience in oncology, immunology, and neurodegeneration. Currently, she serves as Director of Biology at Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, where she leads a team of more than 10 scientists supporting the development of medicines in clinical and preclinical stages.  Before Biohaven, Sellers worked at Rheos Medicines and Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she identified novel targets and led drug discovery programs.

Sellers’  interests lie in leveraging the therapeutic opportunity afforded by dysregulated metabolism in disease and developing assays and biomarkers to advance drug discovery programs. Sellers was trained as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Francis Crick Institute in London after getting her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Louisville. In both positions, she developed expertise focused on translatable models ranging from human patients, mouse models, organoids, and ex vivo tissue slice cultures.

 

Charlotte Ipsan

Charlotte Ipsan, DNP, RNC, NNP-BC, was named to her current role in July 2022, overseeing operations for all Kentucky Norton Healthcare hospitals.

Ipsan previously served as chief administrative officer of Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, from 2012 to 2022. She was instrumental in creating the first women’s and children’s hospital in the Louisville area. She has excelled at implementing a transformational model of comprehensive health care for women, along with expanded pediatric services in conjunction with Norton Children’s.

Ipsan has more than 30 years of experience in maternal/child and pediatric health care. She worked in several roles at Norton Children’s Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital, and the former Norton Suburban Hospital, including staff nurse; nurse manager, neonatal intensive care unit; and director of women’s services. She was named vice president of Norton Children’s Medical Center, the first pediatric outpatient center of its type in Kentucky, in November 2009, then promoted to system vice president of pediatric services for Norton Healthcare/Norton Children’s Hospital in 2011.

 

Ideisha Bellamy

Ideisha Bellamy is CEO of Bellamy Business Insights LLC, which helps nonprofits and businesses uncover, refine, and execute strategies that create profound and meaningful change.

Before launching her firm in September 2022, Bellamy held pivotal leadership roles in government, healthcare, and nonprofits. She notably served as Chief Operating Officer at Maryhurst and Corporate Compliance Manager for Equian, LLC. In her early career with the KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) she led teams engaged in complex investigations and regulatory oversight of thousands of companies within the Commonwealth. Governor Steve Beshear recognized her talent, appointing her to State Division Director for OIG, overseeing the work of staff in five offices throughout Kentucky.

“The collective achievements of these recipients not only reflect the caliber of education provided by IU Southeast but also serve as a source of pride and inspiration for current and future students,” said Hicks.” These alumni exemplify the university’s mission of excellence and service, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change in their communities and beyond.”

 

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About IU Southeast:  IU Southeast is one of seven campuses of Indiana University. Offering more than 150 degree programs and concentrations, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. IU Southeast has three nationally recognized, accredited schools including the School of Business, School of Education, and School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.ius.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

 

Develop New Albany’s Farmer’s Market

New Albany, Ind. (April 16th, 2024) – The Develop New Albany Farmers Market presented by Duke Energy will kick off the summer season this Saturday, April 20th, 2024. The market is open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays at the City Square Pavilion located on the corner of Market and Bank Streets in downtown New Albany (202 E. Market St). The Farmers Market runs year-round at City Square.

“We’re excited to welcome both our long-term vendors and new ones.” said Westley Fair, Farmers Market Manager.  “Come and enjoy free activities for the kids and enjoy live music.”

In addition to the longer shopping hours, the summer season brings many activities for the community. Duke Energy Kids Day at the Market features scavenger hunts, big games, story time, giveaways, and more. Sponsored by Duke Energy, these activities will take place on the third Saturday monthly, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, and September 21 from 8 am to noon. Stay up to date on events by visiting our social media channels. Be sure to sign your children up for the POP CLUB starting April 20th thanks to a donation from the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County.

“Farmers markets provide a variety of fresh food while promoting good health and supporting local farmers,” said Lisa Huber, government and community relations manager for southern Indiana. “Duke Energy appreciates the contributions of small business and family farms to the area economy”.

The market accepts SNAP benefits, and we also have Double Up Indiana. Consumers can come to the information booth and use their SNAP card to withdraw money and through a generous grant, we are able to match that amount for the purchase of additional fruits and vegetables (up to $20 per market day). The Double Up Indiana program is made possible by donations from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and the Indiana Department of Health. 

 

Edward and Charles Stopher Join Stites & Harbison’s Louisville Office

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 17, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that attorneys Edward H. Stopher and Charles H. Stopher of Boehl Stopher & Graves, LLP have joined the firm’s Louisville, Ky., office. They are members of the Business Litigation Service Group and secondary members of the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group.

“We are incredibly honored to have Ed and Charles join Stites & Harbison,” stated Marjorie A. Farris, Chair of Stites & Harbison. “Ed is one of the finest litigators in the country with a brilliant trial mind. Charles is a revered lawyer who is highly respected by both his clients and other attorneys. We are very excited about what they both bring to the firm, and know our clients will greatly benefit from their knowledge and expertise.”

Edward Stopher is Of Counsel with Stites & Harbison. His practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on corporate, insurance, product liability and legal malpractice litigation. Serving as lead counsel in numerous high profile jury trials, he has tried more than 100 civil cases to verdict in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia. His practice includes extensive experience in defending insurance carriers in bad faith claims. Among his many honors, he is a Fellow of three elite, invitation-only trial organizations — the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.

Charles Stopher is a Member (Partner) of Stites & Harbison. His civil litigation practice focuses on personal injury, products liability, insurance bad faith, employment, professional liability and breach of contract litigation. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America and Kentucky Super Lawyers.

About Stites & Harbison

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Economic Update | Higher Mortgage Rates…For Now

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

As last year ended, the market was expecting several rounds of interest rate cuts. The Fed alone had indicated it would reduce rates three separate times over 2024, and the market was expecting double that. It was around October of 2023 that Fed Chair Jerome Powell uttered that the Fed was about done hiking rates. Equity markets rejoiced and began a 4th quarter surge. From October 2023 to March 2024, the S&P 500 added more than 300 points, increasing by about 28%. The tech-heavy NASDAQ increased by 30%. Since late March and through April, we’ve seen an abrupt reversal. The S&P 500 trimmed 5.5% and the NASDAQ is already down 7%. The culprit is linked to inflation. 

Higher inflation puts upward pressure on the 10-Year Treasury yield, the benchmark for consumer financing costs, including mortgages. In early 2024,  the yield had declined to 3.88 percent. After a series of higher-than-expected inflation reports, the 10-Year Treasury yield is almost hitting 5%, closing at 4.61% last week. Higher rates are supposed to suppress demand because it ultimately affects the cost of financing for both business and consumer loans, including mortgages.    

After hitting almost 8% for a 30-year mortgage in October 2023, mortgage rates had been on a decline since then and hit a recent low of 6.7% in late 2023.  Since the higher-than-expected inflation reports and the upward trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, mortgage rates have been climbing since December and have since crossed 7% in April. Excluding the time when rates surpassed 7% late last year, 7% mortgages last appeared in the early 2000s. Rates remaining above 7% will adversely impact building activity, exacerbating the housing supply problem, and placing continued upward pressures on home prices. One of the key reasons for higher inflation is linked to housing, with the last CPI report showing the cost of shelter increasing by 5.7% from the previous year. 

Another reason for higher rates is a continued strong economy. Inflation pressures remain, but higher yields are also driven by a very resilient macroeconomy, driven by the consumer. The last retail sales report showed strong continued spending by consumers, placing additional upward pressure on the 10-year yield. While consumers continue to spend, there are emerging signs of distress.  Delinquencies on credit cards are the highest since 2012, and consumer loan delinquencies now exceed the pre-pandemic level.   Thirty days past due delinquencies for 30-year mortgages have also been increasing since hitting a bottom in June 2021, and are at the highest in four years.

The preferred Fed inflation gauge will be out this month, and the FactSet consensus is for a year-over-year rate of 2.6%, with a core (inflation minus the cost of food and energy) reading of 2.7%. If actual rates come in higher than expected, we can expect significant additional stock market choppiness and additional upward pressures on the 10-year yield.  If it is indeed a hotter number, we will see a growing narrative for another rate hike this year, and equity markets will shed additional losses. 

What will it take to reverse the recent climbs of the 10-year yield? A weak employment report would be a significant boost to lower rates, along with softer inflation readings. Weaker average hourly earnings increases, along with a reduction in the number of job openings would also work to reverse the climb of the 10-year. All this sounds like bad news, and that is exactly what markets would like to see.  Bad news would put the Fed back on a schedule of rate reductions, and markets would rally. The best combination is weaker inflation reports, along with employment that remains resilient. This would put the nation’s economy back on track for a soft landing.