Meet Owensboro’s Top People To Watch This Year
Emily Hernandez
Principal, Trinity High School and St. Mary of the Woods School
Hernandez has been married to her husband Joe for 22 years, and they have three sons: Nathan, Will, and Isaac. With 26 years in education, she taught at Trinity High School and Owensboro High School before becoming principal of both St. Mary and Trinity.
Guided by her faith, she strives to put God first in all she does. She loves her family, staffulty, students, and schools, and works daily to live the gospel through her service.
In 2026, Hernandez will lead Trinity High School and St. Mary of the Woods School through a significant milestone: the development of a new building that will house both schools. As principal, she will help guide the transition, communicating with families, preparing staff and students, and ensuring the new facility reflects the shared mission of putting God first in all things.
Her leadership in recent years has strengthened both schools, contributing to enrollment growth, improved curriculum, and a school culture that has earned national recognition. She supports professional development and has driven cultural shifts that enhance attendance, behavior, and performance. Dedicated to making Catholic education accessible, Hernandez aims to offer this educational opportunity to everyone who desires it.
Hernandez is deeply rooted in the Whitesville community. She attends countless school events, volunteers alongside families, and encourages service as a defining part of the school’s identity. A Trinity High School alumna and Hall of Fame inductee, she coaches the girls’ basketball team, where her love of the sport and her commitment to forming student-athletes in faith and character are evident.
Her humility, energy, and love for those she serves make her leadership both steady and deeply personal. As Trinity and St. Mary of the Woods prepare for their next chapter, Hernandez’s steady leadership and deep investment in the community will be essential in guiding them into a new era.
Randy Lanham
Education Director, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum; Director, Volunteer Owensboro
Lanham plans to expand Volunteer Owensboro’s reach in 2026 by launching more youth-driven service projects and developing new programs that support families in need. Through the Bluegrass Museum, he aims to broaden educational and outreach programming that connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through bluegrass music and community engagement. With a long history of using music as a tool for service, Lanham hopes to mobilize more volunteers and deepen his impact across the region.
P.J. Starks
Co-owner and Producer, Blood Moon Pictures
Starks plans to elevate regional filmmaking in 2026 by developing new projects, growing partnerships with distributors, and creating opportunities for Kentucky-based artists. He hopes to keep independent film production rooted in Owensboro while mentoring emerging creators and strengthening the local film ecosystem. Starks intends to expand educational workshops, build industry collaborations, and champion local talent on national platforms through the films he produces. He’s also hoping to get a green light for a sequel to New Fears Eve.
Madison Silvert
President, Brescia University
In 2026, Brescia University President Madison Silvert, J.D., will lead the execution of the institution’s new strategic plan, which emphasizes student success and long-term financial strength. A key focus is the launch of Brescia’s new Physician Assistant Program, which Silvert calls one of the most significant workforce development opportunities for Owensboro and Western Kentucky in decades. The program is already drawing applicants from across the country, and most are expected to remain in the region, helping address critical shortages in the healthcare sector.
Silvert will also oversee Brescia’s new partnership with the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, Morehead State, and Northern Kentucky University to train frontline social workers, aligning closely with Brescia’s mission and its School of Social Work.
Alongside his roles on multiple statewide and local boards, including chairing the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Silvert remains committed to strengthening Kentucky’s degree-attainment rates and building a community where people thrive.
He and his wife, his college sweetheart Amy, have three children — Emma, Lilly, and John.
Caleb Potter
Executive Director, Tucker’s Treehouse; Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice
Through the new nonprofit Tucker’s Treehouse, Potter plans to grow trauma-informed programming that supports children and families navigating grief and emotional hardship. His 2026 goals include strengthening long-term sustainability, expanding partnerships with social-service agencies, and increasing access to therapeutic resources. He hopes to reach more families through new resilience-building initiatives and community-based support efforts. Potter remains committed to creating safe, healing environments where children can develop emotional stability and confidence.
Paul Clements
Advisor, EM Ford
Clements has served as a commercial lines insurance agent with EM Ford for 25 years, but his deepest calling is mission work. Through Amazon Outreach, he supports efforts across South America and Pakistan to make disciples, train leaders, and plant churches. His work includes building churches and Bible academies, drilling wells, hosting medical and dental clinics, supporting children and widows, and helping free families from bonded labor — offering hope, dignity, and a path to a better future.
Dr. Andrew Collins
Physician, Owensboro Health
In 2026, Dr. Andrew Collins plans to further elevate geriatric care across the region by strengthening Owensboro Health’s implementation of the 4M’s — mind, mobility, medication, and what matters. His goals include expanding the polypharmacy clinic to optimize medications, improving memory-care services, and working closely with partners to enhance mobility support for older adults. Collins will also increase education around advanced care planning, ensuring that patient goals guide every stage of care.
A board-certified geriatrician, Collins leads Owensboro Health’s geriatric strategy with compassion and vision. He created Partners in Aging, an event that has quickly become a major community resource for seniors and caregivers. Under his leadership, multiple clinics have achieved Age-Friendly Health System designation, and he continues to deliver highly rated patient care and expert education.
Rooted in faith and shaped by his early years as a coal miner, Collins brings humility, grit, and deep commitment to every patient he serves.
Charlie Morales
Teacher, Owensboro Catholic High School; Owner, Antojitos Ágape food truck and Morales Restoration
Charlie Morales is committed to strengthening the community through culture, education, and meaningful connections. Through Antojitos Ágape, he brings authentic foods and bold flavors that invite people to experience tradition, taste, and togetherness. Through Morales Restoration, he helps transform ideas into reality by restoring and improving spaces where families and communities gather. Looking ahead to 2026, Morales plans to continue expanding community pride, bringing energy and purpose into classrooms, and creating experiences that connect people through language, food, and service-centered initiatives.
Will Evans
Transportation Driver, GRITS; Artist
Evans plans to expand his community arts impact in 2026 through more Estes Bulldog Art Camps, new collaborations with local businesses and artists, and additional murals across Owensboro. He also aims to participate in events like Groovin’ on the Green and Fam Jam Street Dance to stay connected with the community. Evans’ long-term vision includes launching a nonprofit to fund art projects citywide and developing an artist collective to support local creators.
Jason Edward Hayden
Executive Director, Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
In 2026, Jason Hayden plans to broaden the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s reach by expanding exhibitions, deepening educational opportunities, and strengthening the institution’s role as the linchpin of cultural infrastructure in the region. After being unanimously appointed Executive Director, Hayden stepped into a role that honors OMFA’s long legacy while advancing its capacity to serve a rapidly evolving community. His leadership is rooted in accessibility, collaboration, and the belief that the arts should reflect and uplift the people they serve.
Hayden’s plans for the coming year include bringing in new regional and national exhibitions, expanding partnerships with schools, and developing programs that invite youth and families into the museum more frequently and more meaningfully. He aims to continue to create pathways for emerging artists to showcase work, learn from established professionals, and connect with broader audiences. Strengthening the educational mission of OMFA is central to his vision — particularly initiatives that integrate art with history, culture, and hands-on creativity for learners of all ages.
He intends to increase community engagement by hosting events, workshops, and collaborative projects that make the museum a gathering space for the community. Hayden envisions OMFA as both a guardian of artistic heritage and a venue for contemporary expression.
In 2026, he will focus on programming that welcomes new audiences, especially those who may not traditionally feel welcome in fine art institutions. Through thoughtful curation, community partnerships, and innovative outreach, Hayden strives to ensure that OMFA remains a vibrant, relevant, and inspiring presence.
His leadership reflects a deep dedication to preserving the museum’s history while expanding its future, building a place where art connects people, sparks curiosity, and strengthens the cultural infrastructure of Owensboro.
Sarah Roby
Owner, Commonwealth Connections
Roby plans to expand Commonwealth Connections in 2026 by growing its day, residential, and behavior-support programs to serve more adults with disabilities. Drawing on her background as a behavior specialist, she aims to hire additional staff who share her commitment to dignity and inclusion. Roby also hopes to strengthen partnerships with local businesses to create more inclusive volunteer opportunities. Her vision is to transform community care into community belonging, leading with compassion and purpose.
Daniel Hayden
Co-owner, Hayden Farms/D2 Meats
Hayden plans to strengthen youth agriculture programs in 2026 by revamping participation in the long-standing 4-H and FFA Feeder Calf program, aiming to create more meaningful opportunities for young people. He also hopes to grow his business by expanding his customer base and improving inventory flow. Personally, Hayden is focused on deepening his faith and confidence in serving others, while professionally he aims to build influential relationships that allow him to better represent his community.
Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta
President & CEO, RiverValley Behavioral Health
In 2026, Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta plans to lead RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) through a transformative year focused on expanding access, strengthening systems, and elevating behavioral health care across the region. Her priorities include completing the $9 million renovation of the RiverValley Center and finalizing the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation for RVBH, an initiative that will integrate crisis response, outpatient services, and specialized care for youth, mothers, and veterans.
Figueroa-Peralta will continue advancing maternal health, crisis stabilization, and youth services at RVBH; expanding innovative programs such as the BIRCH pediatric psychiatric initiative and Roses for Moms; and deepening statewide collaborations that ensure timely, compassionate care. She also plans to strengthen advocacy for Medicaid and hospital-rate funding to protect Kentucky’s behavioral health safety net.
With more than 700 employees, 150 additional jobs on the way, and $10 million in recent investments, Figueroa-Peralta is positioning RiverValley to continue growing as a leading force in behavioral health, innovation, economic development, and a safe space where every person has the opportunity to heal and thrive.
Emmy Woosley
Executive Director, Foundation for DCPS; Program Coordinator, Wendell Ford Center
Woosley plans to expand the Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools in 2026, strengthening support for students and cultivating future leaders. She also aims to deepen youth engagement through the Wendell H. Ford Statesmanship Academy, emphasizing civility and cooperation. Through her consulting work, she will continue helping nonprofits grow while advancing projects like the Owensboro Portrait Project and the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival. Woosley also hopes to play more bluegrass music, write another children’s book, and travel.
Dr. RonSonlyn Clark
Clinical Director, Rooted Recovery
Clark plans to grow Rooted Recovery into a premier treatment program in 2026 while continuing to mentor the next generation of behavioral-health professionals. A key advocate for Owensboro’s Recovery Ready designation, she aims to advance treatment, prevention, and community education around addiction and mental health. Clark continues serving through church ministries and local boards, guiding responsible opioid-abatement funding and championing vulnerable populations. She also hopes to expand her writing and statewide training efforts in addiction care.
DeMarcus Curry
Instructional Assistant, DCPS; Founder, Owensboro Youth Empowerment Summit
Curry plans to expand his youth-empowerment work in 2026 through stronger mentorship programs and deeper partnerships across schools and community organizations. A leader within the Owensboro Youth Empowerment Summit, he helps deliver impactful programming such as Teen Week, which offers job training, financial workshops, college preparation, and mental-health awareness. Curry aims to build more opportunities that give teens confidence, direction, and purpose, creating environments where young people feel valued and supported.
Jarrod McCarty
Community Engagement Manager,Daviess County Public Library
As Community Engagement Manager, McCarty oversees the Daviess County Public Library’s public programming for all-ages, as well as a wide range of community outreach initiatives. In 2026, McCarty plans to make the most of the upcoming renovation to the library’s programming space by expanding programming efforts to accommodate larger audiences, building on the positive response the library has received for core programs such as Preschool Storytime and new favorites like Brushes with History.
McCarty was recently selected for the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2026, an opportunity he intends to embrace fully as he continues to grow as both a professional and a community leader. He will also spend the year chairing the Kentucky Public Library Association’s 2027 Conference, a major statewide undertaking involving site selection, budgeting, programming, and team coordination.
Courtney Calhoun Kendall
Campus Manager, Girls Inc.
Kendall plans to continue inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold in 2026 through her work at Girls Inc., aiming to reach even more young people across the community. She hopes to deepen her involvement in local service and bring loved ones along to volunteer. Kendall is also prioritizing self-care so she can better care for others — making space for rest, travel, and personal growth. Known for her sincerity and dedication, she invests deeply in every commitment she makes.
Elizabeth Wilson
Owner, Julep Home & Gift and Kidstop; Dentist
Wilson plans to bring beauty and hospitality to Owensboro in 2026 through her work as owner of Julep Home and Gift and Kidstop, as well as through her service as a dentist and community leader. A past president of the Women’s Guild and an active supporter of local nonprofits, she’s known for her generosity and kindness. Wilson also helped spark Owensboro’s Mahjong craze, creating community through connection. Her 2026 vision centers on compassion, service, and uplifting others.
