Regional Stewardship Awards

2008 Individual Leadership Award Winner:

Joan Riehm

Joan's distinguished career in public service and regional leadership spanned more than three decades in the city of Louisville. Along the way she helped define regional stewardship and touched the lives of many across the country.

After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy and Ursuline College, Joan received two master's degrees, in journalism from Northwestern University, and in community development from the University of Louisville. She began her professional career in 1968 as a reporter covering religion and urban affairs for The Louisville Courier-Journal. In 1974 she was appointed to serve as press secretary to Louisville Mayor Harvey Sloane.

In 1985, Joan was appointed the first woman deputy mayor of Louisville, a post she held twice for a total of fifteen years. As deputy mayor, Joan oversaw economic and community development, human services and educational initiatives. She was also the driving force behind downtown, waterfront and neighborhood development projects and the creation of programs like the Urban Workshops and Operation Brightside.

After voters approved city-county merger in 2000, Joan was invited by Mayor Abramson to co-chair his merger transition team, and later served as the Mayor?s chief point person for government reorganization and strategic plan implementation. Through her success Joan won national recognition as an expert on local government reorganization.

Besides her efforts as a regional leader in the greater Louisville area, Joan also furthered the cause of regionalism on the national scale as chair of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship. She traveled across the country, educating leaders about Louisville's successful government merger and regional cooperation efforts. She also co-authored A Guide to Successful Local Government Collaboration in America's Regions, published by the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and the National League of Cities.

Joan was a vibrant, dynamic community leader throughout her life, with an abiding love for the City of Louisville and a commitment to service for the public good. She was particularly passionate about women's issues, education, the environment and the beautification of Louisville.

Joan died in January, 2008 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Respect and admiration for her wisdom, integrity, optimism, determination and masterful organizational skills lives on.

2008 Individual Leadership Award Winners:

2008 Organizational Champion Winners:

2008 Organizational Champion Finalists:

Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber/Corridor Transportation Corporation

Greater Washington Board of Trade

Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation

Regional Transportation Alliance

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