NKy’s Janice Way is named to prominent statewide post as new president of Leadership Kentucky

Staff Report

Northern Kentucky’s own Janice Sword Way, a familiar face in leadership with many regional organizations, is moving to a statewide spotlight as new president of Leadership Kentucky.

Most recently she served as assistant vice president of development for St. Elizabeth Health care but during a 25-year career in Northern Kentucky health care, she ws director of public relations, marketing and legislative relations and led the St. Luke Community Foundation before the merger of St. E’s and St. Luke Hospital.

Earlier in her career she was a producer and on-air talent for WKYT-TV and Kentucky Educational Television in Lexington, WYMT-TV in Hazard and WBIR-TV in Knoxville, TN.

Leadership Kentucky is the state’s premiere leadership development organization. Since 1984, it has been motivating, promoting and advancing active and emerging leaders in Kentucky. Way herself is among the nearly 1500 graduates of the program.

In Northern Kentucky, Way has touched many civic and charitable organizations. She served as a member of the board of directors of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce where she chaired numerous committees. She also chairs the Northern Kentucky Board of KET. She was named an Outstanding Woman of Northern Kentucky and won the Chamber’s Walter Pieschel Award. She is a certified fundraising executive, having attained her CFRE designation in 2013.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Leadership Kentucky which is celebrating its 30th year of educating participants about our Commonwealth,” said Way. “I understand the valuable insights the program offers, the perspectives shared to help us bemore involved in advancing our state as well as the life-long professional colleagues and personal friends that are gained by participation in the program.”

Among other initiatives, Leadership Kentucky provides a seven-month experience for participants. Class members explore challenges and opportunities for Kentucky in areas of government, business and industry, education, economic development, healthcare, environment and arts/culture.

Way is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She grew up in Pikeville.

“Kentucky’s signature leadership development organization couldn’t have chosen a better leader itself,” said Judith Clabes, editor of The nkytribune.com and KyForward.com, and former editor of The Kentucky Post. “Having known and admired Janice over more than 30 years, I’ve also had the privilege to work with her on greater-good projects for Northern Kentucky. She will make Northern Kentucky proud and improve Kentucky while doing it.”

Leadership Kentucky is now accepting applications for the 2015 Class. More information is available at www.leadershipky.org or by calling 502-695-1102.