Meet Colleen Younger

ABOUT COLLEEN

Colleen Younger has been a community leader her entire life. Her servant heart manifested from her leadership in neighborhood organizations, civic associations and multiple organizational boards. Colleen is a graduate of Atherton High School and Spalding University.  

Colleen has a broad background as a Neighborhood Coordinator with the Department of Neighborhoods. She served as Mayor Jerry Abramson’s liaison to  inner-city neighborhoods, working with neighborhood leaders to create a better place in which to live. As a Project Manager with Operation Brightside, Colleen continued her work alongside community groups, neighborhood leaders, civic groups and local businesses throughout the Louisville Metro area, creating partnerships to bring important projects like Community Gardens, the Nature Clubhouse, Public Art, Operation Brightside, and Community Festivals to Louisville neighborhoods.  

Colleen designed, coordinated and implemented an award-winning program for at-risk youth at Operation Brightside. The program became a national model for other cities. Colleen developed many important community partnerships to offer cultural, educational, and work opportunities for at-risk youth in the Operation Brightside program.  

Colleen previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator. In that role, she was the “external affairs” go-to person.   

Colleen was elected to her first term as Jefferson County PVA in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, running unopposed.  Her core values as PVA are to demystify the PVA and to offer “best-in-class” customer service.  

During her first year in office, Colleen created the very popular “You Have a Right to Appeal” program which gives property owners greater accessibility and assistance in appealing their property value. Annually, PVA staff are dispatched to local libraries to assist property owners in beginning their appeal. The program continues to be very popular with thousands of Jefferson County taxpayers attending the public meetings and in-person appeal assistance events.   

Colleen’s administration has been honored with three National Association of Counties (NACo) Awards for innovation in public service.  She was honored as one of 10 finalists in a field of 200 in the Route Fifty Awards in the “The Electeds” category.  Her peer PVAs throughout Kentucky awarded her the prestigious “Outstanding Jurisdiction of the Year” award in 2024.  The office has earned numerous awards from the Kentucky Association of Government Communicators (KAGC).    

She began her real estate career in 2005, as a sales consultant for Monsour Builders. As a newcomer in real estate, she quickly earned top recognition in sales and marketing from the Homebuilders Association of Louisville. As the real estate market began to decline in 2008, Colleen pivoted to team leader for the Keller Williams Realty Company. 

As a Team Leader, Colleen was responsible for recruiting and training agents to the Keller Williams Realty model. In 2009, Colleen received the KW’s prestigious distinction of “Ohio Valley Team Leader of the Year” award, competing against Team Leaders throughout the Ohio Valley Region.   

When she returned to real estate sales she focused on working with immigrant families, navigating them through the difficult first-time home buying process and getting them acclimated to Louisville, KY. 

She is a nationally-recognized public speaker and presenter on leadership topics in the International Assessment Community.  

Colleen’s love for this community is reflected in her 40-year investment as a public servant and community leader. 

Colleen has one son, a large extended family and her beloved Black Lab, Sophie, all of whom she adores. 

International Association of Assessing Officers Annual Conference Presentations:               

  • Grand Rapids, Michigan – 2013 “Everyday Greatness in Leadership.” 
  • Tampa, Florida – 2016 “Turning Ruts into Rivers” 
  • Boston, Massachusetts – 2022 “Demystifying the Jefferson County PVA and Gaining Public Trust Through Transparency” 

Activism and Recognition: 

  • International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Member of the Year Award 
  • First woman to receive the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ “Matt Talbot” Award for Community Service 
  • Board of Directors – The Talbot House 
  • Board of Directors – The St. Jude House for Women 
  • Board of Directors – The Ice House  
  • The Beargrass Creek Task Force 
  • The Friends of the Library Task Force 
  • Past President – Shelby Park Neighborhood Association 
  • Past President – George Rogers Clark Neighborhood Association 
  • Member – The Misery is Optional Players 12 step troupe 
  • Various Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association Awards 
  • Kentucky Colonel Recognition 
  • Spirit of Louisville Award 
  • Mayor’s Citation for Outstanding Community Service 
  • Appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to the KY Commission on Women 2021-2025 
  • Atherton High School Hall of Fame – 2022 Inductee 
  • National Association of Counties (NACo) awards in 2022, 2024, and 2025 for innovation in public service 
  • 18 awards from the Kentucky Association of Government Communicators (KAGC) for public outreach efforts 
  • 2025 Tower Award for Women Leaders from Presentation Academy