Launch NKY Center for Civic Leadership at Northern Kentucky University is a public-private partnership with NKU, the NKY Chamber of Commerce, and the OneNKY Alliance. This 12-month, 3-level leadership program, which runs from January 2026 to December 2026, will help you develop the skills and traits needed to become a civic-minded, regionally-grounded leader, serving the community in meaningful ways in Northern Kentucky.
Apply to the Leadership Program
As a participant, you’ll benefit from in-depth leadership development through monthly sessions led by NKU faculty and regional leaders, as well as one-on-one mentorship with established community leaders. Your cohort of peers will help you build a network and learn collaboratively, creating pathways to future leadership opportunities in Northern Kentucky.
Our ideal participants include:
Level 1: Leadership faculty will teach broad leadership topics such as authentic leadership, ethics, leading change, difficult conversations, and emotional intelligence.
Level 2: Leadership faculty will move to more specific leadership topics, like civic engagement, communication, business, budget management, fundraising, meeting management, parliamentary procedure and northern Kentucky history.
Level 3: This level will provide education about an array of leadership needs and opportunities in Northern Kentucky. Afterward, the leadership faculty will break the group into smaller cohorts to focus on the participants’ alignment with specific future leadership opportunities in nonprofits, civic, and general board service. In this final segment, experienced leaders in each arena will join the leadership faculty in planning and execution of the program’s curriculum.
Inaugural Executive Director – Launch NKY Center for Civic Engagement @ NKU
Bob Heil has spent more than 40 years shaping northern Kentucky through leadership and vision, serving on nearly 30 boards in fields like Education, Business and Economic Development.
Heil joined KLH Engineers in 1987, eventually rising to serve as president and CEO after graduating from NKU’s master’s program in executive leadership and organizational change in 2012. His strategic vision and focus on fostering a healthy workplace culture made KLH a leader in engineering and community engagement. Beyond his success in his career, Heil has become a cornerstone of civic life. He is the only person to chair the NKY Chamber of Commerce, the Be NKY Growth Partnership and the OneNKY Alliance.
Heil’s influence can be seen across the region, on boards dedicated to Children’s Advocacy, Mental Health and Community Vibrancy. His leadership is evident throughout our NKY community both physically and in many ongoing programs and initiatives.
OneNKY Alliance - Past Chairman
Campbell Leadership Action Group (CLAG) – Past Chairman
Duke Energy OH/KY Advisory Council
NKU Haile College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board – Past Chairman
CHNK Behavioral Health Board of Directors
EducateNKY - Board of Directors
Leadership Kentucky Board of Directors
BeNKY Growth Partnership – Past Chairman
Beverly Hills Memorial Work Group
Cincinnatus Association
Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky
Ft. Thomas Forward
Ft. Thomas General Thomas Statue Committee
Ft. Thomas Planning Commission
Girl Scouts of the Wilderness Road Council
Greater Cincinnati Local Government Managers Association
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Competitiveness Council
Metropolitan Club Board of Governors
NKY Children’s Advocacy Center
NKY Electrical Authority
NKY Water District – Ft. Thomas Citizen’s Advisory Group
NKU Adjunct Faculty – Physics and Geology Department
NKU Construction Management Advisory Board
NKU Foundation Advocacy Committee
NKU President/Provost/Dean Search Committees
NKY Chamber – Board Member, Officer and Past Chairman
NKY Chamber PAC Board
Skyward One Vision One Voice Campaign Cabinet
Tri-County Economic Development Board
