Women’s Fund brings civic leadership academy to NKY

A program that has already helped more than 200 people in Greater Cincinnati step into public service roles is crossing the river into Kentucky.

The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, partnering with Northern Kentucky University, Horizon Community Foundation and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will launch the AppointedNKY Civic Leadership Academy on Oct. 17 in NKU’s University Center Ballroom in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

The free, nonpartisan program prepares Northern Kentucky residents to take active roles in public life – from volunteering on local boards to earning official appointments. Sessions teach participants about government structure, ethics, finance and regional issues, while connecting them directly with elected officials and civic leaders.

The Women’s Fund first created the Appointed Civic Leadership Academy in Cincinnati in 2023, with a goal of advancing the organization’s mission to strengthen women’s leadership and expand civic participation across the region. Since then, more than 1,500 people have registered, and over 200 have gone on to serve on civic and nonprofit boards.

The inaugural AppointedNKY event runs from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and features Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman as a keynote speaker. The academy will hold two sessions each year at NKU, with programming tailored to Kentucky’s local government systems and laws.

Appointed Civic Leadership Academy