People

Alfonso Cornish: Inspiring Teams And Derby Dreams

Alfonso Cornish loves a good team sport. And his enjoyment of baseball as a kid has grown into a singular gift for tuning into and supporting the goals of those around him. Playing on a team has been shown to foster collaboration, boost morale, and encourage open communication that leads to stronger relationships — all of the virtues Al loves to cultivate when he’s working with others. “It was something about being a part of a team and winning with others that really inspired me,” he says.

Originally from Maryland, Al was on the lookout for a job that would allow him to spark that type of team spirit, so he moved to Louisville in 2006 to do just that. Al excelled in his job as vice president/chief learning officer with Norton Healthcare. His position let him build what’s now called Norton University, a program offering classes for employees in education, leadership, and organizational development. “We didn’t want to leave anyone out of the learning process, and so we tried to create opportunities for everybody,” Al says. “We offered all kinds of learning opportunities to meet not only the professional needs of our employees, but also the personal needs.”

That desire to lift others up was something Al learned from his parents. A large part of his childhood, he says, was spent watching them model kindness and the positive power of public service through charity and community work. “My folks were always helping someone,” Al says. “That’s where my foundation comes from and why I am who I am.”

This Derby season, you’ll find Al leading another rewarding team effort as the chair of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Al has served on many different Derby Festival committees over the last 11 years. “Now I know more about the festival than I ever wanted to know,” he says with a grin. The festival’s 2025 focus is “seeking unity throughout our community.” As Al explained in his acceptance speech, we don’t want to leave any segment of our community behind. “We want everyone to experience Derby the way that they want,” Al says. “I talk about ‘one community, one festival.’”

Al’s lifelong dedication to helping employees and peers achieve satisfaction in both their professional and personal lives drives him. For him, work doesn’t feel like work, and this enjoyment is why he’s continuing his career into his retirement years. “It’s the fulfillment you get out of seeing others grow and develop,” Al says. “When you’re in a classroom and you see the light come on in a person’s eyes, it’s a thrill.” He says people will ask why he does that now when he could be at home, traveling, or watching TV. And his response is, “Because I still think I have something to contribute.”

Feeling fortunate to be able to do what he loves, Al gives credit to his wife, who keeps him on his truest path. “I have a very positive wife, and if she ever notices that I’m not up to where I need to be, she gets me motivated,” he says. We all have rough patches, Al continues, but focusing on the positive shifts our attitude.

So, if you’re feeling a dip in your inspiration, take a tip from Al: When he mentors people, he encourages them to write down all the positive things in their life as they feel them. “Then you have something to go back and look at during those times when you’re having difficulty,” he says. Writing about the good in your life shifts your focus to one of gratitude and can reframe your perspective during trying times.

Positive feelings like these lead us to breaking limits and reaching goals. So, if you’re feeling stuck, take another tip from Al’s handbook: “If you’re doing the things you love to do, it’s really easy.”

By Tonilyn Hornung | Photo by Emily McCanless

Today's Transitions / Spring 2025