Fall into Innovation: Kentucky to the World Ignites a New Season of Momentum

Fall has always carried a certain magic: a creative pulse that hums through Kentucky’s hills and city streets. It’s the season when the air sharpens, colors ignite, and ideas start to take shape. For Kentucky to the World (KTW), fall isn’t just a time of transition. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do. This is the season of creativity, excitement, and momentum.

At KTW, we believe that storytelling fuels innovation. Every Kentuckian we feature — from scientists to artists, entrepreneurs to educators — reflects the ingenuity that thrives in this state. As the leaves turn, we’re reminded that transformation is not only natural, it’s necessary. And that’s exactly where we are right now: in a thrilling moment of transformation.

Alice K. Alt, Interim Executive Director, Kentucky to the World

A SEASON OF NEW LEADERSHIP AND RENEWED ENERGY

Stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director, I am filled with deep respect for the incredible foundation laid by our CEO and Founder, Shelly Zegart. Shelly’s vision and persistence created something rare — an organization that celebrates Kentucky’s past while propelling its future. She has spent the last decade connecting people, amplifying voices, and building an enduring platform that showcases what Kentucky is truly capable of.

Shelly Weiss Zegart (1941-2025)

Shelly’s leadership has given us the credibility, reach, and resonance to inspire audiences across all 120 counties and far beyond. Thanks to her, KTW stands as a trusted storyteller, collaborator, and champion of Kentucky’s brightest minds. Her impact is woven through every event, every film, and every moment we share with our audiences.

As I step into this interim role, our focus is on momentum. We are moving forward by not just sustaining what’s been built, but also by expanding its reach, sharpening its edge, and fueling the next generation of dreamers and doers who call Kentucky home.

MOMENTUM MEETS MISSION

Kentucky is filled with people and places where creativity meets courage: a place where artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and community builders collide and collaborate. At KTW, we see that spirit every day. Our programming has reached more than 50,000 Kentuckians statewide, and over 20,000 right here in Louisville through live events, broadcasts, and student engagement.

Our Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series continues to draw standing-room-only audiences, showcasing Kentuckians whose stories challenge perceptions and celebrate progress. Our educational outreach connects with thousands of students each year, sparking curiosity about careers, innovation, and identity. Through partnerships with schools, universities, and cultural organizations, we’re not just telling Kentucky’s story, we’re equipping young people to write the next chapter.

That’s workforce development at its most human. It’s about inspiring confidence, creativity, and connection, which are the qualities that create strong communities and resilient economies.

CREATIVITY AS KENTUCKY’S CALLING CARD

Fall reminds us that change can be beautiful and bold. Creativity isn’t a luxury; it’s an economic engine and a social connector. KTW programming like Echoes of Life: Lessons from the Dying Brain and The State of Song show how Kentucky’s artists and thinkers are shaping national conversations around science, music, and meaning.

Discussion between KTW Board Chair Sam Ford and WWE Superstar Al Snow at “Spectacle of Excess: Wrestling as American Performance Art” on June 11, 2025.

We’re also investing in youth spotlights and education partnerships that nurture the next generation of Kentucky storytellers. These students aren’t just learning about success, they’re envisioning their own. That’s how creativity becomes a workforce strategy.

As the season unfolds, we’re inviting partners, donors, and supporters to join us in this creative momentum. The stories we tell today will shape how the world sees Kentucky tomorrow — as a place of talent, innovation, and unstoppable spirit.

LOOKING AHEAD

The KTW team is empowered to build on Shelly’s legacy with the same boldness she’s always modeled: curiosity first, courage always. We’re expanding partnerships, evolving our storytelling formats, and creating new opportunities for connection.

We know that transitions can be the starting point of where continued growth begins. KTW stands on strong ground built on a community of believers, doers, and visionaries who see Kentucky as a launchpad!

Alice chatting with an attendee at “Echoes of Life: Lessons from the Dying Brain” on October 16, 2025.

So here’s to the season ahead; to crisp air, creative sparks, and the kind of momentum that only comes when people believe in something bigger than themselves. At Kentucky to the World, we’re ready to keep telling the stories that move Kentucky forward, and to keep proving that our Commonwealth’s greatest export is its people.

Because when the world looks at Kentucky, we want them to see what we see — innovation, brilliance, cultural curiosity, and limitless possibility.