Building Trust and Transformation in Greater Freeport, Illinois │Andrea Schultz Winter & Nicole Haas

Amplifying Gender Equity: A Visionary Path Forward│Gretchen Hunt

In this episode of Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee sits down with Gretchen Hunt, Director of the Office for Women for the City of Louisville, Kentucky. As a lawyer, advocate, and lifelong champion for gender equity, Gretchen has spent more than two decades improving outcomes for women, families, and communities across Kentucky. From advancing workplace policies and leadership development programs to reimagining public spaces through the lens of safety and inclusion, Gretchen shares how Louisville is taking a practical approach to creating a more equitable city. She also discusses the hidden impact of caregiving responsibilities, the importance of supporting women's economic participation, and why meaningful change starts with addressing systems—not just individuals. Along the way, Gretchen offers powerful insights on leadership, wellbeing, and finding balance in a world that often asks women to carry more than their share. In this episode, we explore: * Why women are frequently the first to feel the effects of challenges related to housing affordability, childcare access, healthcare, and workforce participation. * Childcare, eldercare, and support for people with disabilities are essential systems that enable individuals to participate fully in the workforce and community life. * Policies that promote safety, flexibility, parental leave, and leadership opportunities don't just benefit women—they create healthier workplaces and stronger communities for everyone. * The concept of an "opposite world"—activities that allow us to disconnect from work and reconnect with ourselves. She shares why making time for personal restoration isn't a luxury but a necessity for long-term effectiveness and wellbeing. > Quotable: “Women really are the barometer of whether an economy is working or whether a city is working. If women are struggling with housing, childcare, safety, and economic opportunity, those are community issues. They're just being felt most acutely by women." Resources and Links Connect with Gretchen Hunt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-hunt-7b792891/] Office for Women | LouisvilleKY.gov [https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-women] City Hub and Network for Gender Equity [https://www.citieschange.org/] WD2026 – Women Deliver [https://womendeliver.org/wd2026/] Bogotá Care Blocks - Observatory of Public Sector Innovation [https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/bogota-care-blocks/] Care Blocks: recognized by the OECD as a global example of social innovation | Bogota.gov.co [https://bogota.gov.co/en/international/care-blocks-recognized-oecd-example-social-innovation] Parks Alliance of Louisville [https://www.parksalliancelou.org/] LOUMED & Office for Women Night Walk [https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/m15rrueg09ojb37/] Home | Equimundo [https://www.equimundo.org/] What happens when a city takes women’s unpaid work seriously? | Vox [https://www.vox.com/policy/469634/care-blocks-child-care-women-caregiving-elder-care-families] Designing Safety, Building Belonging [https://www.citieschange.org/resources/designing-safety-building-belonging-addressing-gender-based-violence-in-urban-spaces/] Special Guest: Gretchen Hunt.

Building Trust and Transformation in Greater Freeport, Illinois │Andrea Schultz Winter & Nicole Haas

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development, Kaycee talks with leaders Andrea Schultz Winter & Nicole Haas from the Greater Freeport Partnership to explore how collaboration, communication, and community-driven strategy are reshaping regional economic development in northwest Illinois. Andrea Schultz and Nicole Haas share how their unexpected career paths led them into the field and ultimately back to the region, where they now help guide a merged organization that brings together economic development, tourism, Main Street, and chamber functions under one collaborative model. They reflect on the evolution of the organization since its formation in 2018, including the challenges of aligning four legacy entities, building trust with members, and establishing a unified vision during a period that included both organizational transition and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we explore: * A deep dive into the merged organizational model combining economic development, tourism, Main Street, and chamber functions—and how trust and communication drive it. * Strategies for talent attraction and retention, including “come home” campaigns, employer-driven workforce personas, and partnerships addressing childcare and housing. * Downtown revitalization efforts like the Recast City cohort and Downtown Unlocked initiative focused on activating underused spaces and supporting small-scale manufacturing and housing. Quotable: “Change is built at the speed of trust.” Resources and Links Connect with Andrea Schultz Winter on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-schultz-winter-8438a84/] Connect with Nicole Haas on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehaas/] Greater Freeport Partnership Website [https://greaterfreeport.com/] Come Home Campaign - Greater Freeport Partnership [https://greaterfreeport.com/live/come-home/] Freeport Selected to Participate in National Program for Downtown Revitalization and Economic Resilience - Greater Freeport Partnership [https://greaterfreeport.com/2026/02/freeport-selected-to-participate-in-national-program-for-downtown-revitalization-and-economic-resilience/] Special Guests: Andrea Schultz Winter and Nicole Hass.

You Can’t Censor Experience: Leading Community Change from the Ground Up │Kathleen J. Guillaume-Delemar

In this powerful episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, Kaycee sits down with Kathleen (Kat) J. Guillaume-Delemar, President and CEO of the Center for Community Progress. Kat shares her deeply personal journey—from growing up in under-resourced communities in Brooklyn during the crack epidemic to leading a national organization focused on equitable property revitalization. She challenges conventional ideas about “blight,” economic development, and community engagement, emphasizing that lasting change must be community-led, policy-driven, and rooted in lived experience. Through candid storytelling and practical examples, Kat explains how communities can reclaim vacant and abandoned properties without displacement—and why listening to community “whispers” is the key to sustainable revitalization. In this episode, we explore: * Lived experience should shape leadership and solutions. Kat emphasizes that real, lasting change comes from leaders who understand the systems firsthand, not just in theory. * Communities must be true partners, not afterthoughts. Effective revitalization starts with residents, not after decisions are made. Listening early leads to sustainable outcomes. * Fixing systems matters more than fixing properties. The Center for Community Progress focuses on policy, education, and tools that address the root causes of vacancy and disinvestment. * Revitalization can happen without displacement. When done right, community-led strategies can increase stability, homeownership, and quality of life—without fueling gentrification. Quotable: “You can censor words—but you can’t censor lived experience.” Link to register for the 2026 reclaiming vacant properties conference: 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/] Resources and Links Connect with Kat J. Guillaume-Delemar on on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-guillaume-delemar/] Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/] Resources for Community Development Leaders & Professionals | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/services/leadership-education/] National Land Bank Network | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/] Creating Homeownership Opportunities in Newark through Housing Choice Vouchers | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/publications/new-jersey-hcv-homeownership/] From Harm to Home | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/blog/from-harm-to-home-replicating-detroits-make-it-home-program/] Chatham Savannah Land Bank Authority | Savannah, GA [https://www.savannahga.gov/485/Land-Bank-Authority] Benzie County, MI [https://www.benzieco.gov/government/land_bank_authority.php] Detriot Land Bank Authority [https://buildingdetroit.org/] Detroit Landy Bank Authority Rehabbed & Ready Program [https://buildingdetroit.org/rehabbed-ready] County of Saginaw, MI - Land Bank [https://www.saginawcountymi.gov/departments/treasurer/land-bank/] Publications | Center for Community Progress [https://communityprogress.org/publications/] Special Guest: Kathleen (Kat) J. Guillaume-Delemar.

Building Belonging: How Authentic Storytelling Drives Talent Attraction │Monica Hershberger

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast, host Kaycee sits down with Monica Hershberger, Chief Strategy Officer at RoleCall, to explore how communities can attract talent by embracing what makes them truly unique. Monica shares her journey into community building and how her experiences shaped her passion for helping places foster a sense of belonging. She breaks down how Roll Call partners with cities and regions to uncover authentic stories, develop strategic messaging, and build meaningful connections with potential residents. From the importance of listening and community engagement to the challenges of aligning stakeholders, this conversation dives deep into what it truly takes to build a successful talent-attraction strategy. Monica also highlights real-world examples—from Buffalo to small-town Illinois—showing how communities of any size can make a big impact. This episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on attracting and retaining talent in today’s competitive landscape. In this episode, we explore: * How communities can attract the right talent by embracing their authentic stories and unique culture. * The step-by-step process RoleCall uses to listen, engage, and create meaningful connections between residents, employers, and newcomers. * Challenges and best practices for aligning stakeholders, building networks, and creating a sense of belonging in communities of all sizes. * Real-world examples from Buffalo, Freeport, and beyond showing how small and large communities alike can make a big impact. * The role of honesty, aspiration, and local quirks in effective talent attraction and community marketing. Quotable: “ The more you invite people into creating your community’s vision, the more you’ll build relationships that actually bring the right people home. Talent attraction isn’t just strategy—it’s human.” Resources and Links Connect with Monica Hershberger on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-small-hershberger/] Connect with RoleCall on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rolecalldotpro/] RoleCall Talent Attraction Summit Registration Link [https://www.rolecall.pro/summit] Handel’s Ice Cream [https://handelsicecream.com/] Ecosystems aren’t the answer — Civic Collaboration Consultants, LLC [https://www.civiccollab.com/blog/ecosystems-arent-the-answer] From Comeback City to Talent Magnet: What Buffalo Can Teach Us About Talent Attraction [https://www.rolecall.pro/blog/nov-2025] Opening Doors: Inside Freeport’s Downtown Unlocked Vision Tour (and how you can host your own!) [https://www.rolecall.pro/blog/news/opening-doors-inside-freeports-downtown-unlocked-vision-tour-and-how-you-can-host-your-own] Special Guest: Monica Hershberger.

Weaving Culture: The Power of Arts in Economic Growth│Rachael Parker

In this episode of the Leading Ladies of Economic Development podcast, we welcome Rachael Parker, ArtsWave director for Northern Kentucky creative placemaking, to discuss how arts and culture strengthen communities and drive economic development. Parker shares her background as a fiber artist, arts educator, and nonprofit leader, and explains ArtsWave’s nearly 100-year legacy as the nation’s first and largest arts fund, which has granted over $350 million and recently awarded 165 grants to 150+ organizations. She defines creative placemaking as cross-sector, community-driven work that integrates arts, culture, and design to advance equitable economic, physical, and social change, and challenges the misconception that arts lack impact, citing a $1.6 BILLION regional arts impact and a $42 return per $1 ArtsWave investment. Rachael highlights some examples including Northern Kentucky placemaking grants, Newport’s historic mural ordinance and Orchard Street Project, and arts integration in Covington’s CCR redevelopment and Florence’s planned sculpture park (check out the resources and links below). In this episode, we explore: * Rachel Parker’s journey—from fiber artist and educator to nonprofit leader—highlights how creative careers can evolve into community-shaping roles that bridge art, strategy, and regional development. * How creative placemaking blends arts, culture, and community collaboration to spark equitable economic and social change, transforming projects like Newport murals, Covington redevelopment, and Florence’s future sculpture park. * With nearly a century of impact, how ArtsWave has invested over $350M into the region—supporting 150+ organizations and demonstrating how the arts strengthen identity, community, and local development. *Quotable: * “ It is certainly not fluff. It is of vital importance to the success of our communities that we have a creative economy.” Resources and Links Connect with Rachael Parker on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-parker-a7028368/] Engineering a creative renaissance in Northern Kentucky [https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/03/18/engineering-creative-renaissance-northern-kentucky.html] New grant program is fueling the arts and boosting economic development in Northern Kentucky [https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2025/09/30/artswave-initiative-elevates-art-northern-kentucky.html] ArtsWave, meetNKY award $58K for creative placemaking projects [https://moversmakers.org/2025/05/20/artswave-meetnky-award-58k-for-creative-placemaking-projects/] Local arts organization announces artist-in-residence program [https://www.citybeat.com/arts/local-arts-organization-announces-artist-in-residence-program/] City of Covington Launches New Interactive Project Showcasing 100+ Public Art Installations [https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2026/01/27/city-of-covington-launches-new-interactive-project-showcasing-100-public-art-installations] New Covington mural depicts city’s history and future [https://www.citybeat.com/arts/new-covington-mural-depicts-citys-history-and-future/] Window on the World [https://www.cincypeople.com/culture-blog/2025/9/23/window-on-the-world#google_vignette] Josephine Sculpture Park [https://www.josephinesculpturepark.org/] ArtsWave Boardway Bound Training Program [https://artswave.org/get-involved/boardway-bound-training-program/] Special Guest: Rachael Parker.