Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins will speak at Belmont University on Thursday, March 30, on the subject of leadership, culture and diversity, in a free event sponsored by the Belmont University College of Business Administration’s Executive-in-Residence Program. Collins was governor of Kentucky from 1983 to 1987. Last year she became chairman and CEO of the Kentucky World Trade Center. Her speech, titled “Leadership in an Everchanging World,” is scheduled for 4:45 p.m., March 30, in the Neely Dining Room of the Massey Business Center. Registration is required. Call 460-5522 or e-mail jenkinsl@mail.belmont.edu.
Martha Layne Collins grew up in Shelby County, Kentucky, graduated from The University of Kentucky and was a schoolteacher until 1970. She then assumed a role as Coordinator of Women’s Activities in a number of political campaigns, leading her into public office. Collins served as Clerk of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1975 to 1979, where she guided the office through the most far-reaching changes in the history of the state’s judicial system.
Having been elected to a term as Lieutenant Governor from 1979 to 1983, Collins sat as president of the State Senate and as both Vice-Chair and Chair of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. As Lieutenant Governor, Collins gained critical experience in leadership serving as acting Governor 25% of her term. She was then elected as the first (and only) female Governor of the Commonwealth in 1983.
During her tenure as Governor (1983-1987) she is noted for establishing education reform and economic development as critical priorities and for achieving success on both fronts. Passage of a $300 million education reform package and creation of record jobs and investment were highlights of the Collins administration. She was instrumental in bringing Toyota Motor Manufacturing to Kentucky and continues to serve as the Honorary Consul for Japan.
After leaving the Governor’s office, Governor Collins served as president of St. Catharine College for six years, as the Executive-in Residence at the University of Louisville’s School of Business, and as Director of the International Business and Management Center at the University of Kentucky. Governor Collins was a Harvard University Fellow in the John F. Kennedy School of Government at the Institute of Politics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1998, Governor Collins became Executive Scholar in Residence at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky, where she developed the Center for Commerce, Language and Culture.
In 2003, Governor Collins was the recipient of the First Annual World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) World Trade Day Book of Honor Award for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This award is presented to a company or individual in recognition of exemplary contribution to advancing peace and stability through trade. In January 2005, Governor Collins joined the staff of the Kentucky World Trade Center as the new Chair and CEO.
Governor Collins serves on numerous Boards of Directors and other Advisory Boards.
Executive-In-Residence Program
The Executive-in-Residence Program, established by the College of Business Administration in 2006, is an innovative program designed to enrich the academic learning environment by bringing the knowledge, experience, and skills of top-level executives directly into Belmont University’s classrooms and boardrooms. CEOs, presidents, vice-presidents, governmental leaders, and other notable figures spend a few days interacting with our students, consulting with faculty and administrators on business topics, and visiting with community professionals. he program is funded through the university’s academic enrichment funds which are designated for enhancing the educational experience of Belmont University undergraduate students.
