LaDonna H. Thompson, began her career with the Kentucky Department of Corrections in 1989, made history when Governor Steve Beshear named her Commissioner, marking the first time a woman has been chosen for the top Kentucky Department of Corrections’ post.
As one of the original correctional officers at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, Thompson moved on to hold a position at Kentucky State Reformatory and Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange. She made her way up through the ranks, working with the VINE program (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), inmate classification and population management divisions. Thompson spent two and a half years as Deputy Commissioner of the agency.
During her career in Corrections, Thompson received numerous awards, including three honors for distinguished service to the department. A graduate of the Leadership Kentucky class of 2007, her awards also include two for recommendations that resulted in fiscal savings for the Commonwealth. Thompson was a 2007 recipient of the “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” Award presented by the National Center for Women and Policing, and was selected as a participant in the 2006 NIC Executive Leadership for Women class. Thompson is currently the Program & Training Committee Chair for the Midwest Division of the Association of State Correctional Administrators.
A graduate of Morehead State University, Thompson received her degree in psychology and sociology.