Michael Hammons, a longtime Northern Kentucky civic leader whose career has helped shape regional development, public policy and early childhood advocacy across the Commonwealth, is retiring after 15 years as Learning Grove's Vice President of Advocacy in Kentucky. Hammons’ career spans more than four decades of leadership in law, state government, philanthropy and regional planning.
Before joining Learning Grove's predecessor organization, Children, Inc., in 2011, he served as founding president of Forward Quest from 1996 to 2008. There, he led implementation of Quest: A Vision for Northern Kentucky and later Vision 2015, regional strategic plans focused on strengthening the economy, education, local governance and quality of life.
He also served as executive director of the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative, advancing strategic grantmaking and charitable investment across the state.
Earlier in his career, Hammons served on Governor Brereton C. Jones’ senior staff as Director of Boards and Commissions, advising on policy and overseeing appointments to state boards. He later served on the Kentucky Health Policy Board, directing the agency responsible for implementing Kentucky’s 1994 comprehensive health care reform law. He began his career practicing law in Covington for 14 years.
At Learning Grove, Hammons directed advocacy efforts to strengthen public investment in early childhood education and support Kentucky’s child care providers and working families. He also led Kentucky’s Voice for Early Childhood, a statewide advocacy network with 12,000 members as documented in his biography.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hammons helped bring the needs of children and families to state policymakers. More recently, he represented Learning Grove’s child care challenges.
“Mike has an extraordinary ability to bring people together around what matters most for our community,” said Shannon Starkey-Taylor, CEO of Learning Grove. “His leadership has helped elevate early childhood education as a priority for our region and our state, and his legacy reaches far beyond any single policy or initiative.”
In addition to serving as a mentor for many Northern Kentucky nonprofit leaders, Hammons’ community leadership includes service with the Northern Kentucky Education Council, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University Foundation. He has also served in leadership roles with the Cincinnatus Association, Kentucky Historical Society and numerous regional boards and initiatives.
His contributions have earned recognition including Northern Kentucky University’s Lincoln Award, the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative’s Commonwealth Award, the Behringer-Crawford Museum’s Two-Headed Calf Award for Community Service and the Devou Cup. He also received the Child Care Advocates of Kentucky’s Lynn “Boogie” Morris Award.
“Mike’s impact is difficult to measure because so much of it will continue long after his retirement,” Starkey-Taylor added. “He has helped build a stronger foundation for children and families across Kentucky. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his friendship and his unwavering commitment to our community.”
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