--- title: "Breaking Barriers: Kim Rupert Named First Female Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Center" description: Kim Rupert is the first female Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Center. Learn how her leadership and the Duke Foundation’s support shape a stronger, more inclusive future for the community. image: https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hubfs/blog-new-lincoln-ed.webp --- [Skip to content](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/breaking-barriers-kim-rupert-named-first-female-executive-director-of-the-lincoln-community-center#main-content) [How to Apply](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#apply)   [  Call](tel:937-339-3853)    |   [mailto:contactus@columbusfoundation.org](mailto:contactus@columbusfoundation.org)  [Email](mailto:DukeFoundation@columbusfoundation.org)   |     [Newsletter](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/breaking-barriers-kim-rupert-named-first-female-executive-director-of-the-lincoln-community-center#newsletter) [![DUKE\_Logo\_FullColor](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/shell/DUKE_Logo_FullColor.png?width=500&height=176&name=DUKE_Logo_FullColor.png "DUKE_Logo_FullColor")](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/) - [Grants](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Grant FAQ](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#faqs) - [How to Apply](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#apply) - [Focus Areas](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#funds) - [Community Impact](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Signature Initatives](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Paul G. Duke Academy](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#duke-academy) - [About Us](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/about-us-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Meet the Board](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/about-us-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#boardmembers) - [News](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Our Stories](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog) - [Grants](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Grant FAQ](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#faqs) - [How to Apply](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#apply) - [Focus Areas](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#funds) - [Community Impact](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Signature Initatives](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Paul G. Duke Academy](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/community-impact-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#duke-academy) - [About Us](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/about-us-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Meet the Board](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/about-us-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation#boardmembers) - [News](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) - [Our Stories](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog) # Breaking Barriers: Kim Rupert Named First Female Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Center The [Lincoln Community Center](https://www.lcctroy.org/) (LCC) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Kim Rupert as its new Executive Director, marking the first time a woman has held the position in the LCC’s rich history. Kim brings not only decades of nonprofit experience, but also her deep and personal ties to the Troy community, along with a bold vision to continue the LCC’s service to the community.  “Kim was clearly the best person to lead the Lincoln Community Center, and she has the unanimous support of our Board,” stated Matt Levorchick, President of the Board of Directors at LCC. ## A Leader with Heart and Hometown Roots  ![Kim](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kim.webp?width=195&height=243&name=Kim.webp)Kim grew up in Troy and even attended programs at the Lincoln Community Center as a child, making this new role a full-circle moment in her journey. With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit service, Kim has also worked as a teacher in both public and private schools and served as an adjunct professor. Her passion for supporting children and families is evident through her advocacy work with [Miami County CASA](https://www.miamicountycasa.org/) and involvement with organizations like the [Dayton Dream Center](https://www.daytondreamcenter.org/). She and her husband, Dan, have five children, three of whom are adopted — an experience that has shaped her passion for supporting families and underserved youth. Kim joined the LCC team in 2023 and became their new Executive Director in April 2025.  “I am grateful and excited to be given the opportunity to steward this historic and important organization. LCC is a very special place, and I am lucky that it lives in my hometown,” Kim shared. “With a lifelong passion for supporting kids, education, the underserved, and healthy families and communities, LCC is the perfect place for my family to invest!” ## LCC’s Legacy of Impact For 150 years, the LCC has been a vital space in the Troy community, fostering education, empowerment, and community connection, with a mission to “educate, inform, and uplift.” A recent major facility expansion in 2021 has allowed the center to upscale its offerings, and the results speak for themselves:  →  A youth basketball program with 1,000 student participants →  Educational programs, including after-school tutoring and summer camps →  Senior activities like pickleball and pool-based exercise classes →  An annual back-to-school event that serves over 500 children with school supplies and clothing   “I love the Center, the people we serve, and the Troy community,” Kim shared. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow LCC into the future and continue the work of uplifting our neighbors.” ## The Duke Foundation’s Ongoing Commitment  The Duke Foundation is proud to walk alongside leaders like Kim and the LCC team as they continue to expand and deepen their impact in Troy. In 2024, the Duke Foundation recognized past great work by the entire LCC team through the *Paul G. Duke Award for Exemplary Leadership*. In addition to support for the recent building addition ($250,000), the Foundation’s ongoing partnership with LCC includes funding for programs and activities, underwriting a Thanksgiving community meal, and more. *The Paul G. Duke Award for Exemplary Leadership* recognizes individuals or groups for extraordinary records of service and leadership in the Miami County nonprofit community. First awarded in 2008, the Award celebrates the traditions of stewardship and excellence championed by Paul G. Duke and his daughter, Patricia Duke Robinson. The staff of Lincoln Community Center were recognized with the fifth Award in 2024. We are proud to partner and work with organizations like the LCC, which continue to work tirelessly every day to help our communities be better than they were yesterday. ## How You Can Help Looking to join us in helping further Kim and the LCC’s mission? There are several meaningful ways to get involved.  The Lincoln Community Center now has an endowment fund at the Troy Foundation.  Gifts to the Lincoln Community Center Endowment Fund will help sustain its mission for years to come. To get started, reach out to the[Troy Foundation](https://thetroyfoundation.org/) or contact the[LCC](https://www.lcctroy.org/contact-us/) directly. You can also become a sponsor of their [Back-to-School Bash](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/R4DXJNZ6ZM6C6/checkout/463LDRMFKIQBIT4NCXZCRUHL) or make a donation directly on their [website](https://www.lcctroy.org/donate/).  ## Related Posts [![](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hubfs/blog-medicare-medicaid.webp)](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/medicare-and-medicaid-changes-in-2026-what-miami-county-needs-to-know) ### [Medicare and Medicaid Changes in 2026: What Miami County Needs to Know](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/medicare-and-medicaid-changes-in-2026-what-miami-county-needs-to-know) by The Duke Foundation [![](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hubfs/DUKE-blog-holiday-season-Nov-2025-Featured-Image%20(3).webp)](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/4-local-organizations-making-a-difference-this-holiday-season) ### [4 Local Organizations Making a Difference This Holiday Season](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/4-local-organizations-making-a-difference-this-holiday-season) by The Duke Foundation BACK TO ARCHIVE [![DUKE\_Logo\_White\_0422-1](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/DUKE_Logo_White_0422-1.png?width=280&height=99&name=DUKE_Logo_White_0422-1.png "DUKE_Logo_White_0422-1")](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/) Paul G. Duke Foundation P.O. Box 263 Troy, Ohio 45373[mailto:DukeFoundation@columbusfoundation.com](mailto:DukeFoundation@columbusfoundation.com) Contact Us [    937.339.3853](tel:9373393853) [    Email](mailto:DukeFoundation@columbusfoundation.com) [![facebook](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook.png?width=25&height=25&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/TheDukeFoundation) [How to Apply](https://paulgdukefoundation.org/grants-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation/#apply) Sign Up to Stay Informed about The Duke Foundation! Get email updates on grant awards, how to apply, foundation members, and the work of the foundation. Sign up today! --- Design by [Marketing Essentials](https://mktgessentials.com/)| [Privacy Policy](https://22084850.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy-the-paul-g.-duke-foundation) ©2025 The Duke Foundation. All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The Duke Foundation", "url" : "https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/author/the-duke-foundation" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-10T15:55:10.881Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-10T15:53:44.000Z", "headline" : "Breaking Barriers: Kim Rupert Named First Female Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Center", "image" : [ "https://paulgdukefoundation.org/hubfs/blog-new-lincoln-ed.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://paulgdukefoundation.org/blog/breaking-barriers-kim-rupert-named-first-female-executive-director-of-the-lincoln-community-center", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "The Paul G. Duke Foundation, Inc." } } ```