Sharon Price
Executive Director
Sharon Price, Executive Director (ED), works alongside our Senior Leadership Team and partner agencies across the Commonwealth to empower people with low income. With nearly 30 years of experience in working on behalf of children, families and her local community, Sharon believes that her role as the ED is really about serving others and doing all that she can to help make a difference in the lives of the children and families in our programs. Over the last year, she has expertly led a staff of more than 400 to develop a comprehensive community response to the economic crisis resulting from the global pandemic, while also facing head-on the fight for racial justice, equality and equity.
Sharon holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. She is a Certified Community Action Professional. Her dedication to supporting early learning comes from her own family. As a mother of four, her search for high-quality childcare for her own children inspired her lifelong mission to ensure every child has access to the same opportunities for learning, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status.
Bridgett Rice
Director of Human Resources
Bridgett Rice, Director of Human Services, leads the Human Resources team. With over 30 years’ experience in Human Resources, Ms. Rice is skilled in recruitment, employee relations, employee development, payroll, training, compensation, benefits and worker’s compensation. One of the Council’s most-tenured senior leaders, Bridgett is committed to creating a supportive work environment that empowers staff and promotes high-quality service engagement for participants and the communities we serve.
Bridgett has been a Certified Community Action Professional for the past 14 years and is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Kentucky State University.
Jessica Coffie
Director of Child Development
Jessica Coffie serves as the Council’s Director of Child Development and Head Start Director and is responsible for overseeing the agency’s efforts to support the developmental, social, emotional, health, and family needs of nearly 3,000 children and families throughout a 15-county service area in Kentucky. Jessica is heavily involved in the community and believes we are more powerful when we empower each other. As an experienced trainer and Certified Community Action Professional, Jessica has developed and presented trainings to audiences across the country. As a Certified Nutritionist who is passionate about supporting children, families, and communities with low income, Jessica produced a thesis while in graduate school titled: Nutritional Issues Facing Minority Women Living in Low Income Housing.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Hospitality and Dietetic Administration from the University of Kentucky.
Leidy Borges
Director of Community Services
Leidy Borges, Director of Community Services, oversees many of the more than 40 programs and services the Council operates. Her team is responsible for operating the agency’s seven local Community Centers operating in four locations in Fayette County and in Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties. The Office of Community Services (OCS) provide financial assistance for low-income families struggling to meet their home energy needs, works alongside families in the Council’s Head Start programs to assist them in developing and reaching individualized goals for themselves and their families, and supports opportunities for youth to reach their educational and economic goals. Originally from Cuba, Leidy believes that service to the community is her highest calling.
Leidy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and is a Certified Community Action Professional. During the pandemic, Leidy not only led the Council’s Office of Community Services through a tumultuous and trying year, but she also graduated from the 2020-21 Lexington Leadership program.
Marty Jones
Director of Housing and Homeless Services
Marty Jones, Director of Housing and Homelessness Services, leads a wide range of supportive and permanent housing initiatives as well as the Council’s homelessness services at the Council. He oversees the agency’s Assertive Street Outreach Team and supports the agency in administering Lexington’s Coordinated Entry System through the Housing Navigation and Intensive Case Management program. Marty also oversees the agency’s rural housing and homeless initiatives operating in 16 counties across the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Marty is passionate about ending homelessness and believes safe, affordable, and stable housing is essential to the pathway out of poverty.
Marty holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Community Action Professional.
Melissa Tibbs
Director of Sustainability
Melissa Tibbs, Director of Sustainability, oversees the Office of Sustainability team and manages the vast majority of public communications and writing tasks for the Council. These include strategic planning, data collection and analysis, external communications and press releases, fundraising efforts, and grant proposals. Melissa has provided training for early childhood educators and community action professionals from agencies across the nation.
As a Certified Community Action Professional and National Certified ROMA Trainer, Melissa has extensive experience in working with professionals in every field to advocate on behalf of families and communities with low income. She is passionate about early childhood education and has a Master of Early Childhood Special Education degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Steven Gravitt
Chief Financial Officer
Steven Gravitt is the Council’s Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for directing and managing the fiscal functions and financial resources of the Council. As a Certified Community Action Professional and nearly 20 years of experience with the Council, Steven has extensive experience reporting its financial position to the Board of Directors, Executive Director, Senior Leadership, and Program Managers.
Steven previously served in the United States Navy and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of West Florida.
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