On the recordJune 17, 2015
I rise today to recognize Kathy Merchant, a friend and an accomplished community leader in Greater Cincinnati over the past nearly two decades, on the occasion of her receiving the 2015 Northern Kentucky University Lincoln Award. Kathy Merchant's professional accomplishments are noteworthy, having served as the president/CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, GCF, from 1997 until her retirement in May 2015. Prior to joining GCF, Ms. Merchant was director of the Pew Charitable Trusts' Neighborhood Preservation Initiative and a partner in the consulting firm Holt, Wexler & Merchant. Recognized as a national leader in her field, Ms. Merchant serves on the board of the Boston-based Center for Effective Philanthropy and in 2012 joined the national board of the New York-based Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Ms. Merchant has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the National Center for Arts and Technology, Cincinnati USA Chamber, Council on Foundations, Community Foundations of America/GivingNet, Ohio Grantmakers Forum, and the SC Ministry Foundation. An advocate for the underserved, Ms. Merchant chaired the Strive Partnership's cradle-to-career initiative in Cincinnati--2009 to 2013-- where she continues to serve as a member of the executive committee and as an advisor to the national Strive Network. Ms.…
