Rotary Club of Florence President Julia Pile Named Outstanding Woman of Northern Kentucky

Written By: Will Baker, Rotary Club of Florence

Congratulations to Rotary Club of Florence president Julia Pile (@JuliePile), who has been named one of 2024’s Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky. The awards, given by The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Women’s Initiative, honor women who exemplify notable achievement, outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community, and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance, and leadership.

In addition to her leadership of the Rotary Club of Florence (@FlorenceRotary), Julia has been a longtime proponent of education, first becoming engaged in her children’s school when her daughter was in kindergarten. The PTA was looking for help with their website. She had just completed an overhaul of her employer’s website and felt she could contribute her talents. Julia was a full-time working mom, and the website could be done outside of school hours; it was a way she could help without being physically present at the school. During those first years of attending PTA meetings, Julia felt she was not part of the “in crowd” and was sure other parents felt the same way. She was determined to make a difference so all parents and families felt welcomed at PTA functions.

Eventually, Julia became President of the PTA and was invited to participate in a program sponsored by the Prichard Committee for Educational Excellence called The Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. This program gave her the knowledge and tools to work even more closely with her children’s schools.

Julia was elected to the Boone County School Board in 2018 and has served as a Parent Ambassador in the Boone County School System. Also in 2018 she was named to the EdTrust Fund Parent Fellowship class’s inaugural class. In 2017, Julia was named the inaugural recipient of the Beverly Nickels Raimondo Kentucky Parent Leadership Award, named after the founder of the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. In 2015 she was recognized as the Bammy Award People’s Choice Parent Leadership recipient. Julia has served in multiple PTA positions, including Vice President of Communications for the Kentucky State PTA and past President of the recently formed Boone County High School PTSA.

Julia started ParentCamp, along with Vice President Laura Gilchrist, in 2014. ParentCamp is designed to build a connected school ecosystem of caring and supportive adults surrounding our kids. ParentCamps are not the traditional stand and deliver sessions but facilitated dialogue where the entire room is the expert and everyone brings important and unique perspectives to the table.

In 2024, Julia was appointed, by unanimous vote, to the Kentucky State Board of Education.

“It’s truly an honor to be named an Outstanding Woman of Northern Kentucky,” said Julia. “None of us do this work for honors or recognition. We do it for the desire to help build communities to support our kids and each other. This isn’t a single-person award; this is a village award, and hopefully, it brings more awareness to the importance of people coming together, having dialogue, and building relationships and trust to build support systems for each other and our kids.”

Community leaders have also taken note of Julia’s leadership and dedication. “Julia has dedicated her career to serving youth and families in Boone County and Northern Kentucky,” said Dr. Randy Poe (@dr_poe), Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Education Council. “As the founder of ParentCamp and a leader in several other local organizations, she has helped countless children receive better opportunities and support. Julia’s work through initiatives in the Rotary Club of Florence, Northern Kentucky Education Council, Kentucky Board of Education, and her past service on the Boone County Schools Board of Education has left a lasting positive impact on thousands of individuals. In recognition of her many contributions to improving lives across Northern Kentucky, this is a well-deserved honor for someone who has given so selflessly to her community. Her decades of service and leadership will inspire the next generation of leaders to help their neighbors in need.”

Polly Lusk Page (@page_rewired) is the Director of the One to One reading mentorship program and has worked closely with Julia as a community leader. “Julia is always a consistent advocate for families,” said Page. “Whether it is hosting ParentCamp, leading the Rotary, serving on the state Board of Education, or being a One to One Reading Coach. Our community, region, and state are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader as Julia, whose contributions, leadership, and perseverance have significantly impacted families, parents, and students.”

While Julia is humbled by the award, her ParentCamp team is exuberant. “I have the wonderful honor of working closely with Julia,” said ParentCamp Vice President Laura Gilchrist (@LauraGilchrist4). “What you see in her—the passion for, dedication to, and belief in kids, families, school, and community—is real, and it’s 24/7! She is moving the needle in Kentucky and beyond, and I’m thrilled she is being honored.”

“I couldn’t be prouder to call her my friend and teammate,” added ParentCamp Facilitator Kristen Franks. “Her dedication and passion for supporting families, schools, and the community is truly inspiring.”

This is the 40th year the awards have been given out. The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards were established by the late Nancy Janes Boothe, wife of then-NKU President Leon E. Boothe. Since its inception, more than 200 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, or demonstrating leadership in their homes, professions, communities, or state. The honorees are selected by a confidential, diverse group of women leaders in the NKY community.

Other 2024 honorees include:

• Angie M. Cain, Field Representative for the Governor at Commonwealth of Kentucky, Dept. of Local Government
• Catrena Bowman, Executive Director/Owner at NKY Community Action Commission/Inspired Fashion Boutique
• Shannon Starkey-Taylor, CEO of Learning Grove
• Tara Johnson-Noem, Executive Director at Northern Kentucky Area Development District
• Marsha Croxton, Retired, St. Elizabeth Board Member
• Michelle Snodgrass, Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney 17th Judicial Circuit at Commonwealth of Kentucky
• LeaAnn King, Northern Kentucky University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Genetic Biology
• Kelsey Browning, Gateway Community & Technical College, pursuing an Associate Degree in Business Administration and Management
• Jazmine Saunders, Thomas More University, pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Law

The awards will be presented at the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 23, at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.