Owensboro’s Joanna Shake and Angela Waninger have been named to The Kentucky Gazette’s “2023 Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government.”
The Kentucky Gazette is a publication covering the Commonwealth’s government, politics, and public affairs. According to the editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock, the “Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government” is an annual special edition of the journal that “celebrates women who work in public affairs to advance the commonwealth.”
Glasscock wrote: “The women showcased here may not always align politically or ideologically with each other, they may argue opposite sides of an issue, but they do have a singular goal: To
make Kentucky better in whatever way they see possible. … In short, the women on these pages represent some of the most powerful and intelligent leaders in their communities, their regions and the commonwealth.”
Shake is the executive director of the Green River Area Development District, a position she’s held since 2020. Shake is the first female executive director at GRADD. She has been with the development district for 25 years and began her career in 1994 as a community economic development intern.
“I am honored and humbled to be included among so many leaders dedicated to making Kentucky better,” said Shake. “It is an absolute privilege to serve the 7 counties in the GRADD district.”
Shake has a staff of 72 and works with planning and administration of millions of dollars for economic, community, and healthcare projects for 7 counties in the Owensboro area – Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster.
GRADD offers assistance in the fields of aging and social services, community and economic development, transportation planning, and workforce development. In addition, Shake chairs the Economic Development Committee for the Kentucky Association of ADD Directors. In 2017, Gov. Matt Bevin appointed Shake to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Housing Corp.
Shake currently serves on the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and the SouthEast Regional Directors Institute Board of Directors, and she is treasurer of the Kentucky Association of District Directors. She is a former chair of the United Way of the Ohio Valley and the Owensboro Riverport Authority. She also served on the Kentucky Housing Corporation Board of Directors.
Waninger is the director of Finance and Support Services for the City of Owensboro, where she oversees the finance, human resource, and IT operations. She also oversees and works on projects for the city manager.
“It’s been both an honor and a privilege to serve in various capacities of my life,” Waninger said. “I love my job and I love helping people. I am humbled to be recognized by the Kentucky Gazette.”
Waninger has been with the City of Owensboro since 2007 and has served in her current role since 2012. A certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant, Waninger is president of the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association and serves on the Kentucky League of Cities Board of Directors. She is a trustee for the Kentucky League of Cities Investment Pool, and she serves on the City Employee Pension Fund Board and the Police and Firefighters’ Retirement Fund Board in Owensboro.
Waninger has volunteered as a budget award reviewer for the National Government Finance Officer Association since 2009, reviewing and commenting on city budgets nationwide. She has served on the United Way of the Ohio Valley board since 2013, serving on the executive board for 4 of those years. She has been a court-appointed special advocate, advocating for children’s best interests. Waninger recently attained the Kentucky League of Cities Level 1-Achievement in City Governance.
The Gazette’s full list of notable women can be accessed online here.
