BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Members Not Pictured:
BRIAN MCGRAW | STEVE VEST
BOARD emeritus
porter watkins - ambassador
Anne Murray - Ambassador
TERRI BASS
Margaret Wendler
KTW TEAM & CONSULTANTS
Ekaterina Balaban
Website Development and Management Consultant
Ekaterina is an Information Technology professional with over twenty years of experience in Web development, application programming, network infrastructure, technology integration, and more. She has made her mark in creating software solutions at companies like UPS and Material Handling Systems, as well as a number of companies across industries such as insurance and healthcare that she has consulted for as a Solution Architect. Ekaterina earned her B. A. in Liberal Studies from Spalding University, B. S. in Web Development from Sullivan University, and M. S. in Software Systems Design from Capella University. She enjoys working with the area nonprofits and volunteer for animal welfare causes.
NoRA BRYANT
PR, Marketing & Social Strategy
Nora Bryant is a Henderson, KY, native and a Western Kentucky University graduate. Nora’s love for communications and storytelling ignited in the Kentucky tourism industry, where she has spent the majority of her professional career working in various marketing and communication roles with Visit LEX, Visit BGKY, and the Kentucky Department of Tourism. Nora lives in Bowling Green with her husband and two daughters and is very active in the local community. She serves on the Landmark Association board, participates in Bowling Green Young Professionals, is a member of Bowling Green Magazine’s 2022 40 under 40 class, and is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Bowling Green. Nora recently launched State & Tell, a digital communications business located in Bowling Green, KY. She works with a wide variety of organizations including non-profits, small businesses, and tourism entities, championing a diverse group of Kentucky stories to the world.
Tommy Johns
Director of Strategic Planning and Documentary Film
Tommy is a digital media producer and content strategist. He works in video direction and production as well as motion design, photography, and graphic design. He has written, directed, and produced digital media assets for a variety of major brands, restaurant groups, and prosocial non-profit organizations and provided brand health and network development guidance for consumer engagement strategies.
Elon Justice
Managing Editor
Elon Justice is a documentary filmmaker and writer from Pikeville, KY. Her upbringing in the heart of Eastern Kentucky allowed her to recognize from a young age the impact of negative stereotypes about her region and state, and she became passionate about doing something to change it. To that end, Elon created The Appalachian Retelling Project, a co-creative online documentary platform, and spent over two years chronicling Kentucky’s most interesting people, places, and events for the show Kentucky Life on KET. Her first feature documentary, Becoming bell hooks, premiered in 2024. She holds a B.A. in TV & Film Production from Western Kentucky University and an M.S. in Comparative Media Studies from MIT.
Karen Kushner
Administrative Coordinator
Karen was born in Louisville, KY and has resided in Louisville throughout her career. She has a dual major bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration, and currently serves on the Arts Association of Oldham County Board of Directors. Karen has extensive business experience focusing on marketing, PR, communications and events, as well as project consulting expertise. She is a seasoned professional, having worked in the corporate, non-profit, and small business areas. Now semi-retired, Karen joined KTW and is responsible for the day-to-day administrative functions of the organization. When she’s not enjoying time with her family, she continues to do a little marketing, PR, media and events project work.
Jayne Labes
Development Consultant
With 30+ years of nonprofit development and communications experience, Jayne began consulting in 2002. Her primary focus areas are fundraising, grant writing, and working with nonprofit boards.
Past clients include New Hope Services, Supplies Over Seas, WaterStep, Hearts4Kenya, Louisville Visual Art, and The Healing Place. She holds a B. S. from the University of Kentucky and is a member and past president of the Fund Raising Executives of Metro Louisville.
August Northcut
Illustrator | Database Manager
A talented painter and illustrator, August spent several years in the arts communities of Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA before returning to Louisville. He is experienced as a gallery artist, freelancer and curator. Outside of his own studio, August provides freelance illustration, curation, and event planning support for a variety of local clients.
Lisa Swikert
Administrative Assistant
Lisa coordinates and performs a variety of functions for the office, including submissions for advertising, event details, correspondence, board meetings, electronic communications, and more. She holds a BFA from Western Kentucky University and has over 30 years of experience in event planning, office management and graphic design.
David thurmond
Consultant for Programs and Education
David has served as Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Education Arts and Humanities Cabinet, as well as Director of Strategic Planning and Government Relations for the Department of Education. At the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, he served as Director of Statewide Education and Vice President for Programming. He is also founding Director of the Governor’s School for the Arts. A graduate of Bellarmine University, he holds a MEd degree from the University of Louisville; he is also a graduate of Leadership Louisville and the Bingham Fellows.
Morgan whittinghill
Partnership, Outreach and Project Director
Morgan, otherwise known as "Morganizer" is dedicated to moving all projects and community partnerships forward for the organization. Specialized in organization, optimization, operations and event management, she is ready to take on any idea that needs to be executed.
