About Us
The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council
For over 40 years, the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council has sought community-based solutions to problems. Neighborhood leaders have fought urban blight leading to rejuvenated communities. Today, the national preservation district of Old Louisville boasts the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States.
Together we advocate for historic preservation, plant trees, work in a community garden, serve as good stewards of Central Park, work on zoning issues, collaborate with the government on infrastructure changes, put on free concerts in Central Park, and support our local businesses. Yet, we are always striving to do more.
"We are always striving to do more."
Old Louisville’s commitment to the arts is unparalleled. The St. James Court Art Show is the top outdoor art show in America, set in the heart of historic Old Louisville. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is the longest-running outdoor Shakespeare festival in the country. Old Louisville LIVE is a series of free concerts in Central Park.
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The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is the largest blues street festival in the Midwest. Springfest in the Toonerville neighborhood offers craft vendors, great food, music and family fun.
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The gateway to Old Louisville is the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center in Central Park, operated by the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. Guided walking tours offer visitors historical and architectural information about one of Kentucky's finest heritage tourism destinations.
Our Mission
To advocate, promote, and protect Old Louisville’s historic architecture and streetscapes within a diverse neighborhood of residents and businesses while advancing artistic and cultural events to build community.
Old Louisville Neighborhood Council
Standing Committees
Neighborhood Improvement Committee
For over 25 years, the OLNC's Property and Improvement Committee (PIC) recently renamed the Neighborhood Improvement Committee has fought abandoned and neglected properties, planted trees, and worked to preserve and protect this historic preservation district.
Zoning And
Land Use Committee
Executive Board
Michael Rady
President
An Old Louisville resident since 2023, Michael lives on Third Street with his husband and two dogs. You might find Michael running the SNAP machine at the Old Louisville Farmers Market (he's secretary of the market's board) or marking booths for the St. James Art Show He is also the Vice-President of the 1300 Association.
Professionally, Michael is a director at a civic leadership organization, where he partners with public agencies and elected officials to prepare early-career professionals for policy careers. Michael has over a dozen years of experience working in the nonprofit and government sectors, including as a staffer in the U.S. Senate and as a third grade teacher. He has a master's in education policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
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Janice Theriot
Vice President
Janice Theriot moved to Old Louisville in 1998 because it reminded her of her native New Orleans. She first lived in a camelback shotgun on Park Avenue in the Central Park West Neighborhood Association. In 2005, she and her husband Andy Horvay bought a house together at the corner of St. James and Belgravia Courts.
Janice has served as in leadership roles for the CPW and the St. James Court Association. Currently, she serves as the Secretary for SJCA. She has been SJCA representative to OLNC for 10 years. Janice has volunteered at many neighborhood events, such as the St. James Court Art Show, Holiday Home Tour, Old Louisville Garden Tour, and the Central Park Clean Ups. She can often be seen walking or riding her bike around the neighborhood. Professionally, Janice is an attorney who is winding down her practice in civil litigation.
Andrew Gillette
Treasurer
Andrew Gillette is a nonprofit leader and community advocate with nearly a decade of experience in fundraising. He currently serves as the Director of Development for Goodwill Kentucky, where he oversees strategic growth and resource development to support the organization’s mission across the Commonwealth.
Deeply committed to the preservation and vibrancy of his local community, Andrew is a two-term board member of the Second Street Historical Neighborhood Association. He has also served as the SSHNA’s Representative on the OLNC Board since 2024. Since purchasing their home and moving to Old Louisville in 2021, Andrew and his wife, Elizabeth, have been active members of the neighborhood, dedicated to maintaining the unique character and civic spirit of the area.
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Emily Reid
Secretary
Emily Reid is the President of the Central Park West Association and has been active in her neighborhood for about 10 years. For the past few years she has also served as a CPW Representative on the OLNC Board.
Passionately supporting her neighborhood through various initiatives, you can find her helping at the Central Park Improvement days, volunteering at the concession during the Old Louisville LIVE concerts or enjoying Kentucky Shakespeare plays in the park.
Emily Reid brings her experience as a sales and marketing professional, with over 20 years experience, to the OLNC leadership team.
Shawn Fields Williams
Executive Director
Shawn Fields Williams has served as the Executive Director of the OLNC since 2015. She helped Old Louisville gain recognition as "One of the Great Places in America" in 2016, launched the Old Louisville LIVE concerts series in Central Park and the Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival, established the Historic Old Louisville Walking Tours, worked to strengthen our community partnerships and serve as an advocate for Old Louisville with Louisville Metro Government.
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A native of Louisville, Shawn worked in Washington, D.C. for over 25 years managing the government affairs and public relations of national trade associations. In 2004, she returned to Kentucky and did fundraising for KET public television documentaries. She and her husband Kevin have restored a Victorian home on Belgravia Court. In 2012 she published a book, entitled Belgravia Court: Old Louisville's Premier Walking Court to celebrate 50 years of historic preservation in Old Louisville. Since becoming a resident of this community, Shawn has volunteered at the St. James Court Art Show, the Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour, the Old Louisville Mansions Tour, the Central Park Improvement Days, and served as a volunteer leader on the Belgravia Court Association many times.
Jasmine Torres
Manager of Historic Old Louisville Visitor Center
Jasmine Torres is the new Manager of the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center. In this role she gives the guided architectural and historic walking tours of the Old Louisville Preservation District. Jasmine comes to the OLNC with an experience in another Victorian district, Cape May, New Jersey, where she conducted tours at The Southern Mansion, a Victorian Bed and Breakfast. Jasmine grew up in Louisville near Churchill Downs where her family worked in training the thoroughbreds. She developed a love of Old Louisville and its architecture while visiting friends.
