What does it take to build a community that sees itself, and invests in itself, differently?

In the very first episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson, President & CEO of Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, sits down with Mary Zalla, Chair of the Council of Trustees, to explore the origin story behind Horizon, and the vision that continues to shape it.

From Northern Kentucky’s long-standing identity challenges to the bold decision to “shape our own destiny,” this conversation unpacks why Horizon was created, what it means to build a culture of philanthropy, and how communities grow when people invest not just dollars, but time, talent, and belief.

Together, they reflect on:

The moment Northern Kentucky chose to define itself beyond Cincinnati
The power of teaching philanthropy early and building it into community DNA
What it means to create something that didn’t exist before and why that matters
How storytelling, leadership, and even songwriting connect to building impact
This episode is both a look back and a call forward: a reminder that thriving communities aren’t accidental, they’re built, together.

Because the future of Northern Kentucky isn’t something to wait for. It’s something to create.