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
Office for Women | LouisvilleKY.gov
City Hub and Network for Gender Equity
WD2026 – Women Deliver
Bogotá Care Blocks - Observatory of Public Sector Innovation
Care Blocks: recognized by the OECD as a global example of social innovation | Bogota.gov.co
Parks Alliance of Louisville
LOUMED & Office for Women Night Walk
Home | Equimundo
What happens when a city takes women’s unpaid work seriously? | Vox
Designing Safety, Building Belonging