By Akers Editorial
40 Under 40: Courtney Yarkosky
Courtney Yarkosky
Age: 36
Career: National CP&A Manager of Bacardi USA, Co-Founder of Rent the Routine, Co-Founder of Room to Heal nonprofit
What drives me: I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of a vision board — and mine proudly sits at the forefront of everything I do. One small section reads, “What gets me out of bed in the morning,” and those words ground me daily. My driving forces are simple but sacred: Family, Faith, Impact, Work, Holidays, Philanthropy, a happy aesthetic environment… and Mondays. Why Mondays? Because they symbolize new beginnings; a fresh chance to grow, to create and to show up better than I did the week before.
My legacy: I hope people say that I defied the odds. That I turned challenges into purpose and led with unwavering heart and determination. That I inspired others as much as I was inspired, taught as much as I learned and encouraged others to keep going when things felt impossible. I want to be remembered as a woman who led with strength and grace, who continued to better herself and her community daily and who handled it all with kindness, courage and balance.
For Courtney Yarkosky, balance isn’t about doing it all — it’s about doing what matters most.
At 36, she’s a wife, mother, and community advocate whose life blends purpose, leadership and heart. Professionally, she serves as the National Commercial Planning & Activation Manager for Bacardi USA. Outside of her corporate role, she co-founded Rent the Routine, an entrepreneurial venture focused on lifestyle empowerment, and Room to Heal, a nonprofit she launched with her now 14-year-old daughter to support families in need of encouragement and comfort.
Finding balance came with challenges. In 2020, her daughter, then 9, wrote a letter to Santa asking for “more time with mom.”
“One of my greatest challenges has been learning how to hold it all together; managing a high-pressure career, raising a family, building businesses and supporting a husband in public service who’s often away, all while striving to show up as my best self for everyone who depends on me,” Courtney says. “That moment reminded me that we all have a choice in how we spend our time — we don’t have time; we make time. It forced me to redefine what balance and success truly mean and that I had to become more intentional with my energy and focus.
That realization shaped not only her personal life but her leadership style. In 2021, a conversation with a young female colleague at Bacardi left a lasting impact.
“She told me to be committed to the process without being emotionally attached to the results,” Courtney says. “That single statement changed the way I approach challenges and success alike, reminding me that growth comes from discipline, not outcome and that true leadership is about focusing on purpose over pride.”
Courtney also embraces what she calls the “let them” mentality, accepting that not everyone will support your growth and that’s okay.
“People will always find reasons to critique those who rise,” she says. “The key is to stay rooted in integrity, purpose and peace.”
A proud Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor awarded by the Governor of Kentucky for notable accomplishments and community service, Courtney hopes to inspire others to lead with authenticity, courage and compassion.
“I want the next generation to know that leadership can be both strong and kind,” she says.
Beyond titles and accolades, she’s driven by what’s on her vision board . . . family, faith, impact and Mondays, which she calls her favorite day.
“They symbolize new beginnings; a fresh chance to grow, to create and to show up better than I did the week before,” Courtney says.
