August 6, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Lifelong Louisvillian and longtime Kentucky Derby Festival volunteer Debra Wise Rayman will Chair the 2027 Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation. As the charitable arm of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Foundation supports initiatives that foster inclusive opportunities for the community by championing charitable causes, empowering education, and preserving the Festival’s legacy. Rayman, who has served on the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Board for more than five years, was elected at the Foundation’s annual meeting this summer. She succeeds Louisville media leader Ken Selvaggi, who will continue serving as Immediate Past Chair of the Foundation.
“One of my favorite quotes is from Helen Keller: ‘Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much,'” Rayman said. “That’s exactly what the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation is about. Together, we strengthen our community by opening doors to education, inspiring generosity and honoring the rich history and spirit of the Kentucky Derby Festival.”
Rayman is a retired registered nurse who dedicated 37 years to Norton Healthcare before joining Galen College of Nursing, where she founded its Career Services Department. She is co-author of the book Norton Memorial Infirmary School of Nursing: History of Excellence. A member of The Fillies, Inc., since 2005, Rayman served as President in 2018-2019 and has held several leadership roles supporting the Kentucky Derby Festival. She and her husband, Mitch, enjoy supporting the Festival and Foundation, traveling, attending University of Louisville sporting events, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Matt Gibson serves as CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation and Dodie Howlett is the Executive Director. Michelle Black White, Executive Director of Brightside Foundation Inc., was elected Chair-Elect of the Foundation; Craig White, VP Human Resources of Caesars Southern Indiana, was elected Secretary; and Louis Waterman, Immediate Past Chair of Kentucky Derby Festival and member of Goldberg Simpson, LLC, was named Treasurer.
Joining the 23-member Foundation Board as newly elected directors are: Yvonne Austin Cornish (CEO of Closing the Gap Consulting, LLC); Jocelyn Dave (The Fillies, Inc.); Les Fugate (Derby Festival Chair-Elect and VP Director, Public Affairs, U.S. State & Local, Canada & Latin America for Brown-Forman Corporation); Ronald Marshall (Executive Director for Outreach & Partnerships at JCPS); Quanta Taylor (Assistant VP for Students Affairs and Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Louisville); and Aili Whalen (Wealth Advisor at Stock Yards Bank & Trust).
The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation will join Give For Good for the second year on Thursday, September 10. Powered by the Community Foundation of Louisville, this 24-hour giving event brings our community together to support local nonprofits and create meaningful change. The community’s support ensures the Foundation’s impact is felt year-round in classrooms, neighborhoods and beyond.
For more information about the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, visit KDFFFoundation.org.
