Shayla D. Lynch

Ms. Lynch is a proud native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky and is a 1997 graduate of Hopkinsville High School. Ms. Lynch is a 2001 graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky where she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Government, and she is also a 2004 graduate of the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville where she earned a Juris Doctorate degree. After law school, Ms. Lynch began her professional career with the Lexington Fair Housing Council, Incorporated. For 15 years, Ms. Lynch fought for housing equality for all Kentuckians. She advocated for victims of housing discrimination, educated the public regarding Fair Housing laws and was a valuable resource for housing best practices in Kentucky. She proudly served on the Neighborhoods in Transition Task Force for the city of Lexington, appointed by Mayor Jim Gray. Because fair and affordable Housing continues to be a passion for Ms. Lynch she is currently a proud board member with Lexington’s Habitat for Humanity, currently is serving on a work group that is reviewing Lexington’s city planning processes, and co-chaired the Housing and Gentrification Subcommittee of the Mayor’s Commission for Racial Justice and Equality. Ms. Lynch is currently the Executive Director of Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass, Incorporated. At Ampersand Ms. Lynch leads a dynamic team of staff, staff advocates and volunteers as they provide services in seventeen Kentucky counties to survivors of sexual violence and their families. Ms. Lynch currently serves on Lexington’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Board and is an active board member with the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. Ms. Lynch has been involved in several professional and community organizations throughout Lexington and Central Kentucky. She formerly served on the Fayette County Public School’s Equity Council and is currently serving on the Ethics Commission for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. She is a past board member of the Lexington League of Women Voters and currently serves on the Social Services Advisory Commission for the city Lexington. Ms. Lynch is a member of the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Lexington (the BEST class to graduate). She was also recently appointed to the Property Tax Appeals Board for the city of Lexington. As working with young people is a passion of hers, Ms. Lynch also regularly volunteers with the Junior Achievement program and also serves on the Program Advisory Committee for Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. When not working in the community, Ms. Lynch enjoys exercising—her favorite form of self-care.