Lindsay Tatum Bowles Organizations: Ballard Chamber of Commerce Director, River Region Professional Women’s Club President, Barlow House Advisory Council Member, Ballard County Christmas in the Country Chairman What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? One of my biggest challenges in my career has been learning how to navigate how I can give back to my community. When I decided to move back to my hometown, I didn’t realize that I would be working directly with people who helped raise me. I’m slowly becoming more confident in my work and self, which is helping me to be more productive in my efforts for helping make Ballard County grow in all aspects, not just economically. What career achievement makes you most proud? Helping bring back a previously inactive tourism nonprofit by securing over $40,000 in funding my first two years, helping raise tourism impact monies spent in each river county each year, helping promote the river counties as a viewpoint for the 2024 Solar Eclipse, and being awarded a national award for the marketing efforts. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? I have two, I can’t pick which one is better. “You can’t make everyone happy.” I have always been a people pleaser, and when making decisions for an organization, it’s not always going to please everyone. Each person on your board is entitled to their own opinion, and you can’t fulfill everyone’s desired outcome. And that’s okay! “Change takes time.” When I started my career, I came in blazing with a list of all kinds of changes. I had a desired outcome in mind and wanted to reach it as quickly as I could. But, change takes time. And for it to be done successfully, you want it to take time. Langdon Barnes Organizations: Heartland Church Paducah Marriage Ministry Leadership Team Officer What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? I was fired from a job two weeks before our second son was born. I was shocked, and it absolutely rocked our family, but it also humbled me in a much needed way. Despite all the uncertainty, we had to completely trust in God’s plan and timing. I have an amazing wife who encouraged me to pursue the calling of guiding people to find financial freedom and to continue seeking out a new career. One door closed, but another was opened when an opportunity to work with United Way of Western Kentucky came my way. What career achievement makes you most proud? Starting your own business is the furthest thing from easy. There is a bit of imposter syndrome that hits quite often. There have been plenty of highs and lows, but staying consistent in doing something I love that truly helps people is so rewarding. I’m proud to be able to impact our community and promote greater opportunities in the areas of income, health, and education for the region through United Way. What a privilege it is to be able to serve western Kentucky in these ways, and to be around and meet people where they’re at in life every single day. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Always do your work for the Lord. If my motivation is praise or money, it will leave me empty. Doing a job well done and serving others has led to success and fulfillment in my career. Leigh Ann Ballegeer Organizations: McCracken County ASAP Secretary, United Way of Western Kentucky Board Member, Paducah Police Foundation Board Chair, Community Advisory Council Member, Active member of regional health coalitions including Healthy Paducah, Get Fit Graves, Marshall County Health Coalition, Purchase Area Diabetes Connection, and West Kentucky Opioid Taskforce What career achievement makes you most proud? I am so proud to work at Mercy Health, an organization that is extremely dedicated to our mission of supporting our community in many different ways. In addition to addressing health needs, we also focus on impacting our community’s social needs because we recognize that the conditions in which people are born and live greatly impact an individual’s ability to thrive and be well. It’s not one particular achievement, but the overall support that Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital provides to our region year-after-year makes me the most proud. Just in the past year, we’ve helped launch a medical transportation program at Heart USA, implemented two peer support programs to help patients impacted by substance use, administered over 500 free flu shots, expanded our feminine hygiene program into Marshall County Public Schools, and so much more! What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Nearly everything I’ve learned in a professional business setting has come from my mom – through the way she carried herself or the advice she explicitly gave me over time. My mom passed away unexpectedly about two years ago, so her advice sticks with me now more than ever before, which has greatly impacted my career. First and foremost, she was a hard worker who firmly believed in doing the right thing for the right reasons. You will always feel good about your decisions and not have regrets if that advice is at your foundation. Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Director of Community Health, Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital Regional Impact Coordinator, United Way of WKY; Financial Coach, LB Financial Coaching Executive Director, KY Great River Road Organization 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 | INTHEVUE.COM
