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N E W S R E L E A S E
June 24, 2022
Louisville Urban League Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Leachman, Awarded Best in Finance
Louisville, KY, June 24, 2022—On Thursday, June 23, 2022, Louisville Urban League Chief Financial Officer Anthony Leachman, CPA, was awarded one of Louisville’s Best in Finance by Louisville’s Business First. Mr. Leachman has served the League since 2017 and is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the League’s financial activities. The organization has experienced unprecedented growth during Anthony’s tenure, growing its ability to serve the community across the integrated pillars of Jobs, Justice, Education, Health, and Housing.
“For us, our CFO, Anthony Leachman, is the best in finance,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, Louisville Urban League President and CEO. “Anthony has led the management of the League’s exponential growth and helped to ensure our financial stability, ensuring that we could focus on serving our community. No one could have predicted a pandemic but because of his leadership, we were prepared and even able to help other organizations. Anthony was in the office with me as we combed through our budget to ensure that we could keep our doors open every day during the pandemic, and he was there at the moment I learned Breonna Taylor was dead. It is not just his mastery of Accounting that I admire, but his heart for the people. In every way, he is a perfect CFO for an organization like the Louisville Urban League and in every way, he is the best example of Black excellence.”
An expert in asset management, Anthony facilitates the acquisition, general oversight, and disposition of the agency’s assets for the purpose of serving the mission and goals. He was the youngest person in state government appointed to a Director level position and the first African American appointed to a directorship at the Kentucky Auditor’s Office. Prior to joining the League, Mr. Leachman served for four years as Vice President of Finance/CFO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. There, he notably oversaw the pre-development and project procurement stages of the $180 million renovation of the Kentucky International Convention Center. He also served as Chief Business Development Officer and Interim President & CEO of the Fair Board. His oversight has included the fiscal responsibility for 1.25 million square feet of facilities including two convention centers, two stadiums, and the annual State Fair.
Less than two percent of the nation’s CPAs are Black, a fact that provides Mr. Leachman with a rare and informed perspective on how financial empowerment and institutional strengthening are key to community engagement and capacity building. He is motivated to see sustainable economic revitalization grow more impactful in Louisville’s west end. And it is those perspectives and motivation that make Mr. Leachman so valuable to the League. As CFO, he has successfully navigated the League through 18 financial, compliance, and/or program level audits; overseen the increased financial reporting and accountability for several of our federal programs; and enabled the League to serve as the fiscal agent for Winterhelp, No More Red Dots, and several other community programs and services.
Anthony’s wife, Nichole Leachman, leads the Center for Housing and Financial Empowerment at the Louisville Urban League. “Nichole arrived first at the League and we knew immediately that she was a rock star,” said Sadiqa. “They are great co-workers and because of their example, of our 80+ employees, we have a mother and daughter team, and two sisters. I take it as the highest compliment that someone would recommend the League for employment to their loved one. We want people who are excellent at their jobs and passionate about the people.”
About the Partners
Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@louisville_ul).
