Somewhere in the halls of Lexington Catholic High School, a teenage girl once sat in a math class that changed the trajectory of her life. Her teacher, Mrs. Sally Stevens, nudged her forward, insisting she could be both a girl and good at math—an all too uncommon idea for the time. For Jeri Isbell, that affirmation unlocked a confidence that would carry her to Eastern Kentucky University, into a global corporate career and now, into a legacy of philanthropy that is transforming opportunities for future Colonels.
On September 25, 2025, Eastern Kentucky University honored Jeri as its Philanthropist of the Year at the annual Celebration of Philanthropy. Though Jeri has given significantly to the university in the past and served as chair of EKU’s Foundation Board, this year, she committed over a half-million dollars in gifts supporting EKU’s College of Business. However, the recognition is not only a recognition of her remarkable generosity, but also of the way she has lived: with intention, gratitude and a fierce determination to lift others as she climbs.
“Eastern was a fantastic choice for me,” she recalled. “I got my accounting degree, joined a sorority and made lifelong friends. My Eastern education is the foundational basis for my career.”
That foundation was solid enough to support an extraordinary 34-year career at IBM and Lexmark, where she grew from entry-level financial analyst to U.S. controller, division CFO and eventually chief human resources officer. Along the way, her work carried her across the world and that global experience left a lasting mark.
“It was very important to me to meet people where they live and work,” she said. “Traveling and working alongside others in their communities expanded my empathy and awareness. Those experiences shaped me as a leader and as a person.”
That belief in the power of global connection inspired her most recent gift to EKU. The Isbell Global Scholars Program will provide students with study abroad and professional development opportunities designed to stretch their understanding of the world and prepare them for leadership roles. “I hope it gives our students an edge—new perspectives, awareness, empathy—that will set them apart in their careers,” she says.
But for Isbell, giving is not only about preparing students for professional success. It is about gratitude and about paying forward the encouragement and opportunities she herself received. “None of us achieve what we achieve in our lives by ourselves,” she reflects. “I’ve been mentored and helped throughout my life. Giving back is my way of thanking those who came before me and ensuring the next generation has even greater opportunities.”
Her own journey was filled with moments of encouragement that fueled her determination. At Lexmark, she helped build the company from its earliest days, designing systems, hiring teams and navigating the challenges of becoming a standalone public company. Later, as chief human resources officer, she championed initiatives that left a lasting impact—expanding diversity efforts, strengthening succession planning, implementing family-friendly policies and even opening a state-of-the-art daycare center for employees’ children and grandchildren.
For Jeri, the greatest joy often came from making a difference quietly, without recognition. “The best feeling,” she said with a smile, “is doing something positive for someone, and they never know it’s me. It just makes me feel good inside.”
Throughout her career, she has also been a champion for women, intentionally mentoring and opening doors for the next generation of female leaders. It is a calling she hopes to continue well into retirement. “I want to help young women see their potential, to know they can step into opportunities beyond what they ever imagined,” she said.
Today, as she stands at the height of professional accomplishment and personal generosity, Jeri looks back with gratitude and forward with hope. “My life has been rich and rewarding and has exceeded what I hoped for myself,” she reflects. “My wish is that each Isbell Global Scholar will have career opportunities that go beyond their hopes—and that they, too, will one day find a way to give back to Eastern Kentucky University.”
From that Lexington math classroom to EKU’s campus, from boardrooms around the globe to the lives of students who will follow, Jeri Isbell has lived with purpose, tenacity, resilience and generosity. Her story is a reminder that success is never ours alone—and that the truest measure of achievement lies in how we use it to help others rise.
You can contribute online to join Jeri’s commitment to helping Global Scholars at go.eku.edu/give-Isbell.
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