LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Republic Bank & Trust Company announced the addition of Ashley Duncan as vice president, director of Inclusion and Diversity. In the newly created role, Duncan will shape and implement diversity, equity and inclusion employment and workplace strategies, in partnership with senior leaders in the organization.
Duncan joins Republic from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) where she was the inaugural diversity hiring specialist for the largest school system in Kentucky. Prior to this, she served as director of diversity and inclusion and civil rights program manager for Louisville-based Transit Authority of River City (TARC).
She attended Western Kentucky University, and earned a bachelor of science and master of science in business communication at Spalding University in Louisville. Duncan was a founding member of the WKU Alumni Association Diversity and Inclusion council and holds a National Diversity Certification.
“We’re excited to have Ashley join the Republic Bank team to help us evolve and accelerate the work we have been doing within the bank and in our communities throughout our history. Her experience building diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the ground up at other organizations, and her deep community involvement and recognition as a leader will help our actions be even more impactful,” said Steve Trager, chairman and CEO of Republic Bank.
Duncan currently serves on the Brightside Louisville and Metro United Way Board of Directors, and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Duncan’s leadership has been recognized with honors including the Mary B. Ransom Scholarship in Excellence from Spalding University, the Rising Flame Award from the Business Professional Women Network, and being a Business First 2015 Forty Under 40 Honoree, a 2015 NFocus Magazine New Face of Philanthropy, and a MASS Transit 2017 Forty Under 40 Honoree.
“As a Louisville native I am thrilled to join Republic Bank in this inaugural role,” said Duncan. “I am looking forward to working with the amazing team and building a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy. Republic Bank has a history of doing great work and I am proud to help continue that work.”
Trager added, “Bringing Ashley Duncan on board is just the latest of many significant actions Republic has taken in the last few months to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the bank and in our communities. We’ve listened closely to our associates in Republic’s African American Business Resource Group to help guide us through these challenging times, and we recently launched a $3 Million Community Loan Fund to promote business development and job creation in communities impacted by inequity and inadequate access to capital. In addition, we have increased diversity at the top levels of the Bank with the addition of Pedro Bryant as EVP, Managing Director of Community Lending, and George Nichols III as our newest member of the Republic Bank & Trust Company Board of Directors.”
Add Comment