In this episode, we explore:

• How Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) is expanding technology transfer and commercialization opportunities across Kentucky’s regional universities and KCTCS through a statewide, collaborative model.

• How tech transfer turns university research into real-world impact, why intellectual property (IP) matters for economic development, and the often-overlooked work behind bringing innovations to market.

• Success stories from Kentucky, including startup launches, SBIR/STTR funding wins, and the NSF-funded Invent Fellowship, which provides commercialization training and paid internships for students.

• How partnerships across institutions—and even across state lines—are helping democratize access to innovation resources and strengthen Kentucky’s talent pipeline.

• Practical advice for economic developers on building intellectual property literacy, leveraging regional strengths, and collaborating to accelerate innovation-driven growth.

Quotable: “ Kentucky ideas will solve Kentucky problems, and Kentucky's problems are the world's problems.”

Resources and Links
Connect with Kayla Meisner on LinkedIn
Home | Kentucky Commercialization Ventures
Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation | KSTC
NSBE | National Society of Black Engineers
AUTM | The Nonprofit Leader in Technology Transfer
About NSF Engines - Regional Innovation Engines | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation
GAME CHANGE – Advancing carbon centric circular economy technologies for advanced manufacturing solutions (KY, TN)
Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) - LaunchTN
Home - LaunchTN
Keyhorse Capital
FLC | Home
Launch Tennessee leads new national study to unlock heartland innovation, backed by Kauffman Foundation grant - LaunchTN
NCInnovation | Putting Innovation to Work for All of North Carolina
Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation
EPSCoR Jurisdiction Websites - Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation
BumptUp – For a healthy pregnancy & postpartum journey.
Innovator Spotlight: Dr. Jason Marion on Using Intellectual Property to Advance Water Quality Innovation
Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region
Innovation Fellowship | Kentucky Commercialization Ventures
KCV Launches Startup Internship Program in Partnership with NKU
Welcome | Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA)
United States Patent and Trademark Office

Special Guest: Kayla Meisner, MEng, CLP.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why successful projects depend on collaboration among attorneys, government leaders, economic developers, utility providers, consultants, and community stakeholders working toward a shared vision.
• Bringing legal counsel into projects early can help identify risks, structure incentives, navigate approvals, and save both time and money throughout the development process.
• Anne-Tyler emphasizes the importance of listening before speaking, respecting institutional knowledge, and trusting intuition when leading teams and making decisions.
• Housing availability, workforce development, tax policy, and regional cooperation are increasingly important factors in creating thriving communities and sustaining long-term growth.

Quotable: “ I hope that a few generations from now, someone can point to a company and say, ‘My granddaddy worked there,’ and know that I had a small part in making that possible.”

Resources and Links
Connect with Anne-Tyler Morgan on LinkedIn
Lexington Lawyers, Louisville Kentucky Attorneys | McBrayer PLLC
Anne-Tyler Morgan | Lexington, KY Healthcare and Campaign Finance Lawyer: McBrayer PLLC

Special Guest: Anne-Tyler Morgan.

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

Special Guest: Gretchen Hunt.

In this episode, we explore:

• How effective workforce development goes far beyond job placement—it reshapes communities. Stephanie discusses the power of providing people with the right tools, support, and opportunities, and shares real examples of how workforce programs can change the trajectory of individuals and families.
• Complex realities of leading within workforce systems. Stephanie outlines persistent barriers—including funding constraints, siloed partnerships, and evolving employer needs—while also highlighting emerging opportunities to modernize training, elevate collaboration, and build more responsive systems.
• A troubling contradiction: Black women attain higher levels of education at increasing rates, yet face disproportionately high unemployment and underemployment. Stephanie offers data-informed context and personal reflections on the structural and cultural factors contributing to this gap.
• Strategies for pushing past limiting beliefs, recognizing one’s own power, and navigating environments that may not initially feel welcoming or supportive.

Quotable: “  Because when you get uncomfortable, it creates growth. It creates change, it creates a space for organizations and people to kind of hold a mirror up to themselves and say, what can I do differently?”

Resources and Links
Connect with Stephanie Bell-Bradley on LinkedIn
Connect with Platinum Bell Consulting, LLC on LinkedIn
The Paradox: Most Educated, Yet Facing Rising Unemployment

Special Guest: Stephanie Bradley.