Common Good for the Common Wealth

What does it take to build stronger communities, create meaningful opportunities, and move an entire region forward?

In this episode of Common Good for the Common Wealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Tara Johnson-Noem, Outgoing Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), to explore the power of regional collaboration and the important work happening behind the scenes to strengthen Northern Kentucky.

From workforce development and economic opportunity to community planning, aging services, and local government partnerships, NKADD plays a vital role in connecting people, resources, and organizations across the region's eight counties.

Together, Nancy and Tara explore the importance of collaborative leadership, the challenges and opportunities facing Northern Kentucky, and how thoughtful partnerships can create lasting, meaningful change for the communities we call home.

Tune in for a conversation about the people, partnerships, and shared vision shaping a stronger Northern Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky is made up of distinct communities, each with its own identity, strengths, and opportunities. But what happens when those communities come together to pursue something bigger?

This week on Common Good for the Common Wealth, Karen Finan, President & CEO of OneNKY Alliance, joins us for a conversation about regional unity, collaborative leadership, and the power of a shared vision.

Through her work bringing business and community leaders together, Karen is helping shape a future where Northern Kentucky's success is driven by connection rather than competition.

We explore the value of partnership, the importance of investing in the region's future, and why lasting progress begins with a willingness to work together.

Tourism isn't just about getting people to come here. It's about giving them a reason to believe in here.

Julie Kirkpatrick joins Common Good for the Common Wealth to talk about the business and bigger purpose behind building a destination. As President & CEO of meetNKY and Interim President & CEO of Visit Cincy, Julie has a unique view of a region connected by far more than a river.

We talk tourism, economic development, regional collaboration, and why the story we tell about where we live matters. Because when we invest in making our communities great places to visit, we're also building better places to live, work, grow, and belong.

What does it take to build a healthier community?

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Dr. Doug Flora joins us for a conversation about medicine, leadership, innovation, and the responsibility we share to improve the health of the communities around us.

Drawing from his career as a physician and healthcare leader, Dr. Flora explores what happens when we look beyond individual outcomes and consider the bigger picture, access, collaboration, prevention, and the systems that shape our health.

It’s a conversation about caring for people, strengthening communities, and what it means to put your expertise to work for the common good.

What happens when you take some of the region’s top business and community leaders out of the boardroom, put instruments in their hands, and give them a stage?

You get Suits That Rock, and a powerful example of what can happen when people bring their talents, relationships, and a little bit of rock and roll together for the common good.

In this episode of Common Good for the Common Wealth, Horizon CEO Nancy Grayson sits down with Kevin Canafax, one of the driving forces behind Suits That Rock, to talk about how an idea to bring business leaders together through music grew into one of the region’s signature philanthropic events.

Kevin shares the story behind Suits That Rock, what happens when leaders step outside their usual roles, and why music has such a unique ability to build relationships across industries, communities, and backgrounds.

Since its beginning, Suits That Rock has raised more than $2 million to support The Carnegie’s arts education programming, helping make arts experiences accessible to young people throughout the region.

Join us for 2026's Suits That Rock on Saturday, September 19th. Get your tickets at https://thecarnegie.com/support/suits-that-rock/

What does it mean to build a business that becomes part of the fabric of a community?

In this episode of Common Good for the Common Wealth, Horizon CEO Nancy Grayson sits down with Emily Wolff, a creative entrepreneur whose work has helped shape Covington’s MainStrasse Village through hospitality, design, and a deep appreciation for the history of the places we call home.

Emily shares how her background in fine arts and restaurants has influenced her approach to entrepreneurship, why storytelling is at the heart of the spaces she creates, and what it looks like to invest in a neighborhood while honoring the people and history already there.

It’s a conversation about creativity, preservation, entrepreneurship, and the power of creating places where people can come together.

What happens when improving education becomes the responsibility of an entire community, not just its schools?

From early learning and family engagement to school innovation, data, community partnerships, and career pathways, Cheye shares why the future of education requires all of us to lean in. He also discusses the opportunities emerging in Northern Kentucky’s River Cities and why strengthening outcomes for kids isn’t only an education issue; it’s essential to the long-term vibrancy of the entire region.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: when children thrive, communities thrive. In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Cheye Calvo, President & CEO of EducateNKY, to explore what it takes to improve outcomes for children and families across Northern Kentucky.

Mentorship has the power to shape lives, strengthen communities, and inspire future leaders. In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson welcomes Sonya Fultz of Adopt A Class for a conversation about creating opportunities for students through career exploration, building meaningful connections between classrooms and local businesses, and the ripple effects that occur when communities invest in young people. From workforce development to cultivating hope, this episode is a reminder that lasting change begins with showing up.

What transforms a space into a place people never forget?

This week, Nancy Grayson sits down with Josh Heuser, founder of AGAR, to explore how thoughtful design, public art, and unforgettable experiences can strengthen communities. From the creation of Ghost Baby and Danger Wheel to helping shape BLINK, Josh shares why creating emotion, not just attracting attention, is at the heart of great branding.

Together, they discuss Northern Kentucky's evolving identity, the importance of preserving culture as communities grow, and why authentic, human-centered experiences will matter more than ever in an increasingly digital world. It's a conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, placemaking, and imagining what's possible when we invest in people as much as places.

What if the most powerful investment we could make in our communities isn't a building, a business, or a program, but a person?

On this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Alecia Webb Edgington, Executive Director of Life Learning Center and the Covington Education Foundation 2025 Person of the Year, to explore what happens when we stop defining people by their worst day and start creating pathways toward lasting change.

Drawing on a career that spans the Kentucky State Police, international narcotics work, public service, and nonprofit leadership, Alecia shares how those experiences shaped her mission to reduce recidivism, restore dignity through employment, and help individuals rebuild their lives. At the heart of the conversation is the work of the Life Learning Center, where holistic education, workforce development, and deep community partnerships are transforming outcomes for people overcoming incarceration, addiction, and other barriers.

Nancy and Alecia discuss why collaboration is the key to solving our region's biggest challenges, how data is driving smarter philanthropy, and what Northern Kentucky can teach the rest of the country about working together for the common good. They also reflect on authentic leadership, mentoring the next generation, and why real impact starts by believing that every person deserves another chance.

This episode is a powerful reminder that stronger communities are built one life, one opportunity, and one act of belief at a time.

What does it take to build a thriving community, and why does local leadership matter more than ever?

On this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Sharmili Reddy, City Manager of Covington and member of Horizon Community Foundation's Council of Trustees. Together, they explore the role of public service in shaping vibrant communities, the exciting transformation happening across Covington, and why collaboration remains one of Northern Kentucky's greatest strengths.

From economic development and neighborhood revitalization to philanthropy, community partnerships, and the future of regional growth, Sharmili shares insights from her career in public service and her vision for creating places where everyone can thrive.

The conversation also highlights Horizon's innovative approach to community impact, the power of local philanthropy, and why the next generation gives her hope for Northern Kentucky's future.

How do the arts shape the places we call home?

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Rachael Parker to explore how creative placemaking is transforming communities across Northern Kentucky. From public art installations and artist residencies to BLINK, murals, and community-centered design, Rachael shares how the arts can strengthen local identity, spark economic growth, and create more vibrant, connected places for people to live, work, and gather.

Drawing on her journey from Maysville, Kentucky, to leading regional creative placemaking efforts, Rachael discusses the power of investing in artists, expanding arts access for young people, and building partnerships that leave a lasting impact on communities. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at exciting projects underway in Covington, Newport, and Florence, as well as ArtsWave's vision as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Whether you're an arts enthusiast, community leader, or simply curious about how creativity can drive positive change, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the role the arts play in building a stronger Commonwealth.

Guest: Rachael Parker, Director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking, ArtsWave
Host: Nancy Grayson, President & CEO, Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky

On this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Andy Brunsman, Executive Director of Be Concerned, Northern Kentucky’s largest and longest-operating free food pantry.

Andy shares his remarkable journey from a service-learning student in Cincinnati to becoming one of the youngest nonprofit executive directors in the country at just 25 years old. Together, Nancy and Andy explore the history and mission of Be Concerned, the importance of preserving dignity while serving families facing food insecurity, and how innovative thinking has helped the organization grow from a small pantry into a regional lifeline serving more than 50,000 Kentuckians each year.

They also reflect on the power of collaboration during moments of crisis—from the COVID-19 pandemic to SNAP disruptions—and discuss how communities can step up through time, talent, and treasure to support neighbors in need.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that creating common good starts with showing up, finding a way to “yes,” and believing that service can change lives—for both those receiving help and those giving it.

What happens when entrepreneurship meets purpose, and gratitude becomes the foundation for everything?

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Rachel DesRochers, founder and CEO of The Gratitude Collective, creator of Power to Pursue, and a true community builder, to talk about what it means to lead with heart.

From building six companies to creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and loved, Rachel shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur, the power of “low-tech tech” (real human connection), and why gathering people around a table can be just as transformational as gathering them in a room of 900.

“If my legacy is making people feel loved, then that’s my legacy.”

This episode is a reminder that community is built in the small moments, and that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply create space for one another.

Listen now.

#CommonGoodForTheCommonwealth #NorthernKentucky #TheGratitudeCollective #PowerToPursue #WomenWhoLead #Entrepreneurship

What does it mean to build something that lasts, not just structurally, but socially?

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Anthony Bradford, founder of AmTitan, to explore how thoughtful development can transform not just neighborhoods, but entire communities.

From his early days working on homes in Louisville to leading large-scale multifamily and infill development projects across Northern Kentucky, Anthony shares the journey that shaped his passion for impact-driven work. His approach centers on revitalizing overlooked spaces, addressing the region’s housing shortage, and building what he calls the “missing middle," workforce housing that allows people to live, work, and thrive in the same community.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony reflects on the deeper responsibility of this moment: to build on the foundation laid by those before us, and to ensure the region’s growth remains inclusive, intentional, and sustainable for generations to come.

Anthony is both a member of The 410: Give Where You Live NKY and serves on its advisory board, helping guide and support this growing model of community-led philanthropy. Spanning 29 zip codes across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties, “410" is the unifying number that connects Northern Kentucky’s communities—and the next generation of civic and charitable leadership. The 410: Give Where You Live NKY is building a stronger culture of giving across Northern Kentucky by bringing together people who live and work in the region to take part in hands-on philanthropic leadership.

This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at community development and a call to action: to think bigger about how we invest, in our neighborhoods, our people, and our shared future.

What does it take to build a community that sees itself, and invests in itself, differently?

In the very first episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson, President & CEO of Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, sits down with Mary Zalla, Chair of the Council of Trustees, to explore the origin story behind Horizon, and the vision that continues to shape it.

From Northern Kentucky’s long-standing identity challenges to the bold decision to “shape our own destiny,” this conversation unpacks why Horizon was created, what it means to build a culture of philanthropy, and how communities grow when people invest not just dollars, but time, talent, and belief.

Together, they reflect on:

The moment Northern Kentucky chose to define itself beyond Cincinnati
The power of teaching philanthropy early and building it into community DNA
What it means to create something that didn’t exist before and why that matters
How storytelling, leadership, and even songwriting connect to building impact
This episode is both a look back and a call forward: a reminder that thriving communities aren’t accidental, they’re built, together.

Because the future of Northern Kentucky isn’t something to wait for. It’s something to create.