Queer Kentucky hires Northern Kentucky LGBTQ+ activist Missy Spears as director of operations

Queer Kentucky is proud to announce our new director of operations, Missy Spears!

Missy Spears is a community advocate, project manager, and award-winning asshole that uses humor to further civic engagement in the region and inspire action. Spears’ recent work includes leading projects for Cincinnati nonprofit Action Tank, assisting nonprofit Concerted with their expansion into Louisville, serving as Board co-President for the Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, and launching a second COVunity Fridge- a free public refrigerator project she co-founded in Covington, Kentucky.

After carefully considering many incredibly qualified candidates, the QKY board voted to hire Spears based on her extensive nonprofit background, passion for queer Kentucky culture, and wide-reaching NKY grassroots work. Not only are we excited to bring this champion on board, we are also excited to expand our work into Northern Kentucky intentionally.

Spears will be overseeing the operations of QKY, including but not limited to our suicide prevention and awareness partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

For the remainder of 2023, Founder Spencer Jenkins will remain executive director. Starting Jan 2024, Spears will take on the role of executive director, while Jenkins will remain Editor-in-Chief of both print and digital storytelling platforms.

If you’d like to get in touch with Missy Spears, email her at [email protected]