A Story Worth Sharing
The Making of StoryFest Louisville 2025
An inside look at the process, the people, and the power of showing up with truth.
The Spark: Storytelling as a Force for Healing
StoryFest Louisville 2025 started with a bold idea: When nonprofit leaders share their stories, communities grow stronger.
With support from The Tommy Elliott Fund and the bold vision of Maryanne Elliott, StoryFest Louisville invited nonprofit leaders to explore storytelling not just as a communication tool, but as a path to healing, connection, and clarity of purpose.
The Call: Six Leaders, One Shared Commitment
In partnership with the Leadership Louisville Center, six trailblazing nonprofits answered the call:
Rose Smith, The Ace Project
Michelle Black White, Brightside Foundation
Hannah Adams, The Healing Place
Joy Beth DeWitt-Riley, Louisville Orchestra
Molly Jones, The Pete Foundation
Prasanthi Persad, Wilderness Louisville
Together, they formed the first-ever StoryFest Louisville cohort: a circle of leaders ready to explore the power of story with courage and care.
The Craft: Turning Experience Into Expression
Under guidance from seasoned storyteller Graham Shelby, the cohort met week after week to shape their narratives.
Each leader was paired with a local storytelling coach—dedicated partners who spent hours one-on-one helping each participant unlock the full potential of their story.
The Process: Collaboration Over Competition
From the start, StoryFest Louisville flipped the script. The process centered on collaboration, not competition.
Through peer feedback and shared rehearsals, a circle of trust formed. Leaders became invested in each other’s stories as much as their own—and the audience could feel it.
The Stage: One Night, Infinite Impact
On April 10, 2025, more than 300 people filled the Muhammad Ali Center.
The mic went live—and one by one, six nonprofit leaders did something radical: They told the truth. The kind that cracks you wide open. The kind that plants seeds. That stays with you.
By the end of the night:
The Ace Project received a $10,000 grant
All other nonprofit received $8,000
$50,000 in total was awarded through The Tommy Elliott Fund
Outcomes Snapshot
The numbers don’t tell the whole story — but they tell an important part. See how far the impact of one night can go —from grants awarded to community reach.
Scenes from StoryFest Louisville 2025
From powerful moments on stage to joyful faces in the crowd—these images capture the energy, courage, and connection that made the night unforgettable.
Take a look at the people, the stories, and the celebration that brought it all to life.
In The News: Media Coverage & Articles
Dawne Gee welcomes StoryFest Louisville to WAVE
WAVE
StoryFest Founder Maryanne Elliot joins Dawne Gee to highlight their inaugural event aimed to help non-profits tell their story.
StoryFest founder introduces event on WHAS news
WHAS
From pain to purpose: Maryanne Elliott shares her journey, 2 years after losing husband in Old National Bank shooting.
Collage of photos and notes feature in editorial
Courier Journal
An editorial where Maryanne Elliott shares lessons on grief after losing her husband, Tommy Elliott, in the Old National Bank mass shooting.
Spectrum News Interviews Attendees during event
Spectrum News
Coverage of the StoryFest event with interviews highlighting storytelling’s role in resilience and community healing.
StoryFest event program
WDRB
Article highlighting how Maryanne Elliott turned her grief from the Old National Bank shooting into purpose through community work and StoryFest.
Photo collage from event
Sophisticated Living
Sophisticated Living featured the StoryFest event in its society section, spotlighting the gathering as part of Louisville’s civic and cultural life.
The Ripples: Stories That Keep Working
After StoryFest Louisville 2025, the stories didn’t fade—they grew. Nonprofit leaders used them for fundraising, board engagement, volunteer outreach, and team alignment. Leaders reported deeper connections with their supporters—and with themselves. They spoke of clarity. Of renewal. Of finally having the words to match their "why."In short: These stories didn’t just land. They lifted.
What We Learned
If you're here, you're looking for more than highlights. You’re looking for what really happened. What we learned through StoryFest Louisville 2025 is simple and profound: This wasn’t just an event—it was a movement. A movement toward more authentic leadership. Toward stronger communities. Toward storytelling that heals.
Ask yourself: What story is waiting to be told? Because if StoryFest Louisville proved anything, it’s this: When leaders tell the truth, communities rise.
Ready to bring your voice to the stage?
Applications for the 2026 StoryFest Louisville cohort are now open.
