Gov. Andy Beshear has replaced two members of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, including former Chair Diane Medley.
Sadiqa Reynolds replaces former trustee Raymond Burse and John Hollenbach replaces Medley. Reynolds and Hollenbach will serve terms ending in April 2031 and are expected to be sworn in during a board meeting Thursday, UofL spokesperson John Karman said.
Both Burse and Medley served on the board past their term expirations because Kentucky law allows board members to continue serving until they’re replaced.
U of L Board Chair Diane Medley, right, spoke to the media after Gerry Bradley, left, was named as the new president of the University of Louisville following a special meeting of the U of L Board of Trustees at Grawemeyer Hall in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 26, 2025.
Board Vice Chair Larry Benz will assume the chair’s duties until a new one is elected, according to the board’s bylaws. It’s unclear when a new permanent chair will be elected, Karman said.
Burse and Medley were both involved with the university’s sudden change in leadership in late March when the board unanimously approved former President Kim Schatzel’s resignation and voted to appoint former Provost Gerry Bradley as the university’s 20th president the same day.
Gerry Bradley, right, was congratulated by trustee Raymond Burse, after he was named as the new president of the University of Louisville following a special meeting of the U of L Board of Trustees at Grawemeyer Hall in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 26, 2025.
The board has offered few details about the cause for the leadership shuffle since then, though Medley alluded to differing goals between the board and Schatzel during a news conference following the leadership change.
“With any position, times change. The goals of Dr. Schatzel changed, our goals changed, and we were very fortunate to have the ability to name Dr. Bradley, who had already been here so we wouldn’t lose any momentum,” Medley said.
Who is Sadiqa Reynolds?
Sadiqa Reynolds speaks during a rally at the Americana World Community Center held by the League of Women Voters of Louisville. Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Reynolds is the CEO of Perception Institute, a think thank that uses mind science research to make institutions more welcoming and effective, according to her biography on UofL’s website.
She formerly served as CEO of the Louisville Urban League, becoming the first woman lead the organization.
She is a UofL graduate and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
She’s been recognized several times by various publications and community organizations, being named Person of the Year by Louisville Magazine, Woman of Power by the National Urban League, a top “100 Women to Watch” around the nation by BizWomen’s Business Journal, Community Leader of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Enterprising Woman to Watch and Woman of Influence by Business First.
Who is John Hollenbach?
John Hollenbach
Hollenbach has roughly 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, according to his biography.
He co-founded Hollenbach-Oakley, LLC. with Greg Oakley, where he oversees all aspects of project development. The firm is responsible for developing several business parks in the Louisville area, covering more than 3,500 acres and accruing one billion dollars in investments.
He also co-founded Horizon Commercial Realty, a commercial brokerage, property management and investment firm that manages more than 2 million square feet of office, medical, retail and industrial assets.
He graduated from Trinity High School and the University of Kentucky.
Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Sadiqa Reynolds, John Hollenbach appointed to UofL Board of Trustees
