Jessica Toren Organizations: Leadership Paducah Alumni, Paducah Citizens Police Academy Alumni, Murray State University Distinguished Alumni Top 22 Under 40, Rotary Club of Paducah Immediate Past President, Rotary Club Board of Directors Member, McCracken County Public Library Board of Directors Secretary, WKCTC Adjunct Communications Instructor What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? One of the biggest challenges in my career came with COVID-19 in 2020. I work in a hospital, and we had to completely shift how we operated. My entire team was furloughed, visitors and volunteers were not allowed in the hospital, and it was a very stressful time for everyone. While still managing the day-to-day workload of my office, we pivoted to help support our staff anyway that we could. Many days were spent delivering donated food and PPE to our staff, touring therapy dogs to help relieve employee stress, and working with the media to share the stories of our employee healthcare heroes. While I could not provide direct care to patients in need, I found a way to support those who could. What career achievement makes you most proud? Mercy Health Foundation Lourdes just completed a campaign to raise funds to support cancer care in our community. These funds will support free cold cap therapy, nutrition services, social workers, physical and occupational therapy, supplies, and support groups for our patients. Raising these funds that directly support patients and working with donors who want to give back and support our community has been a highlight of my career. Each one of our donors has shared a personal story of how cancer has affected their lives and how they are blessed to be able to help others going through the same journey. Jonathon Blake Case Organizations: Clinton Rotary Club President, Leadership West Kentucky Alumni What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? The biggest challenge I have had in my career is leading the start of Clinton Bank’s investment division. My wife and I are still current residents of Murray, KY so this new opportunity added some challenges to our day-to-day life. I’m originally from Symsonia, so I know these small communities rely on trust when it comes to who they choose to conduct business with and are weary of new faces. With us not living in the county, it was a challenge to get my face out there and get this community to see me as a valuable addition. It took a while for me to really feel like a part of this community and build relationships with people who make it up. Through building trust with my clients, my involvement in our local civic organizations, and volunteering, I can finally say that I feel like the community has welcomed me in. The investment division continues to grow, and the community is starting to see the value that I can bring to their small town. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Shortly after I had met my wife, one night at dinner my father-in-law told me, “It’s not about who you are, it’s who you know.” Whether it was an original phrase or not, it has always stuck with me. This phrase doesn’t discredit an individual’s hard work or skill sets but rather to emphasize the importance of networking. Having a network of contacts who may have different skill sets or knowledge can help you become more efficient, open new doors, and allow you to take advantage of opportunities you couldn’t have by yourself. Having a strong network of connections has helped me grow in my career and emphasized the importance of working as team to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Justin Brasher Organizations: American Library Association Member, Kentucky Public Library Association, McCracken County ASAP Opioid Taskforce, Healthy Paducah Health Coalition What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? I served as the Community Outreach & Programming Coordinator at my previous library when COVID-19 hit in 2020. How does one do outreach and programming with the public when there’s no public to engage with? I worked with my team to create virtual programs and crafts using everyday household items (how to turn a DVD case into a pencil box, how to create a mini first-aid kit that fits in a pill bottle, etc) along with virtual story times, puppet shows, game shows, and our “celebrity story time” where I read books using various celebrity impressions. What career achievement makes you most proud? I’m so proud of the work we do every day to better our community. Our library abolished fines before the New York and Chicago Public Libraries. We became the first library in Kentucky to offer fishing poles. We introduced free faxing, free notary services, free Wi-Fi hotspots, and much more. I live my favorite accomplishment every day when someone tells me, “A library has never done this before.” Once we do it and remove barriers in our community, we present at conferences and show other libraries how they can do it, too. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? My mom is a retired library director, and she had one golden rule: “Nobody leaves empty handed - you either give them the help they need, or find someone who can.” This has become my guiding principle when serving our community. Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Financial Advisor, CB Wealth Partners Foundation President, Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital Library Director, McCracken County Public Library INTHEVUE.COM | SEPTEMBER 2024 13
