Leadership and Happiness Symposium – Kentucky

Dr. Rhonda Caldwell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). She is known as a dynamic and visionary leader who has propelled the association to remarkable growth through member engagement, strategic business partnerships, expanded leadership programs, and a high-performing staff team.

As KASA’s trailblazing first female director, she takes immense pride in spearheading the Kentucky Women in Education Leadership, a transformative group dedicated to empowering women to reach their full potential in their careers, along with other programs such as the Kentucky Executive Leadership Academy for aspiring leaders. A staunch advocate for public education, Dr. Caldwell’s commitment is evident through her leadership of the Coalition to Sustain the Education Profession, a groundbreaking statewide initiative aimed at addressing the critical teacher shortage. Her tireless efforts to improve the education landscape have made a lasting impact on countless students and educators. Dr. Caldwell is a lifelong learner having earned a degree from Midway College, an MBA from Campbellsville University, and a doctorate in Education Leadership from Northern Kentucky University.

In addition, she has earned the esteemed Certified Association Executive credential, a distinction held by only five percent of nonprofit leaders nationwide. Her dedication to personal growth is evident in her completion of Cornell University’s Executive Women in Leadership program and her certification as a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge® and coach of the Leadership Practices Inventory (Kouzes, Posner). A servant leader at heart, Dr. Caldwell has dedicated her career to serving the state’s public school leaders. Her unwavering commitment to her personal values, rooted in faith and inspired by Hebrews 11:1, serves as a guiding force in her leadership. Dr. Caldwell’s global perspective has been shaped through education tours in Finland, Canada, mainland China, and Hong Kong. She serves as a guest speaker and facilitator of education sessions at both national and state levels, sharing her wealth of knowledge and inspiring others to create positive change. In addition, she serves on the Kentucky Purple Star Award Advisory Board, the Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children Steering Committee, and several state and national groups.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Caldwell embraces life’s adventures with open arms. She enjoys travel and is an avid hiker and especially enjoys trails in other countries such as sections of the Great Wall of China, Peru’s Machu Picchu, Scotland’s West Highland Way Trail, and Italy’s Via Francigena. As a cancer survivor since 2010, Dr. Caldwell cherishes each new day and remains dedicated to her passion for family, friends, and colleagues.