Kentucky Performing Arts has announced the appointment of Talley Russell and Lyndon Pryor to its board of directors. Both members were appointed by Governor Andy Beshear and bring extensive experience in health policy, government relations, and community leadership to their roles.

Russell serves as Director of Government Affairs for Humana, leading health policy and advocacy across Kentucky and Indiana. She has built her career at the intersection of business, government, and health, previously serving as Operations Director at NASCEND and holding roles of increasing responsibility in government relations at Norton Healthcare and Humana.

A 2020 Leadership Louisville and 2022 Leadership Kentucky graduate, Russell sits on the boards of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Family Scholar House, and the Kentucky Advisory Council for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She is appointed to the Kentucky Health Insurance Advisory Council by Governor Beshear and has been recognized as a 2023 Louisville Business First Enterprising Woman and a 2024 Most Admired Woman in Corporate Leadership by Today’s Woman Magazine.

Pryor is President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League (LUL), where he leads efforts to advance equity for Black Louisvillians and other marginalized communities across jobs, education, health, housing, and economic opportunity. Under his leadership, LUL has expanded its intensive tutoring program, cultivated land for community food growing, and opened new units of affordable housing.

Before stepping into the CEO role, Pryor served eight years within the League in various capacities, including as Chief Engagement Officer, where he oversaw communications, spearheaded special projects, and created the organization’s community health program, “It Starts with Me!” Prior to joining LUL, he spent more than a decade in higher education supporting student leadership and professional development.