Swift Leadership with Dr. Mariah Yates

Join us for Strong Community Strong Coffee featuring Dr. Mariah Yates, Associate Professor at WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business and co-author of Swift Leadership: A Taylor-made Approach to Influence and Decision Making (2025).

Dr. Yates’ work explores leadership, authenticity, equity, and how popular culture shapes decision-making. With a pulse on corporate responsibility and an eye toward how technology is transforming influence, she’ll share strategies for building resilient, future-ready communities and organizations.

Whether you’re a business leader, tech innovator, or community connector, this conversation will spark fresh thinking on leadership in a rapidly changing world.

THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

9:00 am - 10:30 am

WKU Innovation Campus #129

RSVP HERE

UNDESKED

Congratulations to Jeremy Jacobs CEO of UnDesked for being awarded investments of $3 million for his startup!

UnDesked provides a digital one-stop shop of productivity tools to support operations, human resources, maintenance, production and environmental health and safety. It’s designed for deskless employees: those whose companies span manufacturing, construction, utilities, oil and gas, mining, retail, hospitality and so on. UnDesked is member of CREATE: Central Regional Ecosystem for Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship based out of the WKU Innovation Campus.

Recently UnDesked, CREATE and the WKU Innovation Campus were featured in an article by the BG Daily News, to read the full story Click Here.

CREATE is nonprofit that aims to help entrepreneurs who have what are called tech, tech-enabled or innovation-led companies across the 10-county Barren River Area Development District as well as Ohio and Hancock counties. For more information email us Here.

Emerge 2025 - Innovation In Action

Presented by the Regional Tech Council

Calling all business leaders and tech professionals! Emerge 2025 is your opportunity to explore how emerging technologies are transforming organizations and communities. This collaborative experience will feature insightful presentations and panel discussions with rising tech leaders who are driving change and delivering real-world impact.

Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a business, or shaping corporate strategy, Emerge 2025 will give you the tools to drive innovation and strengthen tech leadership at your organization.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

WKU Innovation Campus

Register for Emerge 2025

Would you or your company like to help sponsor this event? Click Here or for more information email the Regional Tech Council.

Leadership Summit – Insights from World-Class Leaders

Presented by the Kentucky Center for Leadership

Calling all leaders – Join us for the Kentucky Center for Leadership’s upcoming Leadership Summit. This event is designed for those ready to take their leadership skills to the next level. With a lineup of experienced leaders and invaluable networking opportunities, this summit is a must-attend for anyone serious about making a significant impact. Register now and invest in your leadership journey.

Get ready for an incredible speaker lineup:

• Sarah Nuse – Founder of Tippi Toes Dance & Author of Destined for Greatness
• Adam Nuse – Senior VP & Chief Revenue Officer for the Tennessee Titans
• General Steve Basham (Ret.) – Former Commander, U.S. European Command
• Dr. Terry Daniels – Executive Coach & Author of in-Rhythm
• Court Stevens – Motivational Speaker & Award-Winning Author
• Dr. Gary Ransdell – WKU President Emeritus, delivering a Luncheon Keynote

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

7:30 am - 4:00 pm

WKU Innovation Campus

Register for the Leadership Summit

Click Here for a detailed graphic or for more information email Greg Coker.

Threads of Success: How BlueCotton Grew from College Startup to Inc. 5000

From a dorm room idea to a tech-enabled apparel powerhouse, BlueCotton’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and growth.

What does it take to turn a dorm room idea into a nationally recognized company? At the next Startup Garden, hear directly from WKU Alumni - Mike Coffey, founder and CEO, and Julie Denton-Price, co-owner and CRO of BlueCotton. They’ll share how a small apparel venture grew into a 130-employee operation named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious 5000 list—seven times. Discover their origin story, the “why” that fuels their team, the lessons they’ve learned the hard way, and how investing in people has shaped their success.

Come curious, leave inspired, and connect with other entrepreneurs digging deep to grow big.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

4:30 - 6:00 pm

BlueCotton - 250 Mitch McConnell Way

RSVP HERE