Michael Hammons Retires From Learning Grove

The longtime advocate for early childhood education in Kentucky has stepped down after 15 years as the organization's Vice President of Advocacy.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Adult Education

Michael Hammons Retires From Learning Grove

Michael Hammons has retired as Vice President of Advocacy at Learning Grove, where he served for 15 years in Kentucky. His career spans early childhood advocacy, philanthropy, state government, and law.

Why it matters

Hammons directed advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening public investment in early childhood education across Kentucky. His departure marks the end of a long tenure leading statewide advocacy work for young children and families.

Hammons led Kentucky's Voice for Early Childhood, a statewide advocacy network with 12,000 members, and practiced law in Covington for 14 years before moving into public and nonprofit work. The announcement does not name a successor for the advocacy role.

The players

Learning Grove

Learning Grove is an early childhood education organization serving the Cincinnati area, formerly known as Children, Inc.

Brereton C. Jones

Brereton C. Jones was a Governor of Kentucky whose senior staff included Michael Hammons as Director of Boards and Commissions.

The details

Hammons joined Learning Grove's predecessor, Children, Inc., in 2011 and previously served as founding president of Forward Quest from 1996 to 2008, where he led implementation of Quest: A Vision for Northern Kentucky and Vision 2015. His other roles include executive director of the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative, Director of Boards and Commissions on Governor Brereton C. Jones' senior staff, and service on the Kentucky Health Policy Board.

• 1996 to 2008: Hammons served as founding president of Forward Quest.
• 2011: Hammons joined Children, Inc., Learning Grove's predecessor organization.
• 2026: Hammons retired as Learning Grove's Vice President of Advocacy.

Culture Shift

Hammons represented Learning Grove in the Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care, a state coalition working on child care policy. His retirement comes as that collaborative continues to shape how Kentucky invests in early childhood programs.

Families using Learning Grove's programs in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area will see new leadership in advocacy work. The retirement does not change current program availability, according to the announcement.

The takeaway

Long-term advocacy for early childhood education depends on sustained leadership across state government, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Readers interested in early childhood policy can follow the work of statewide coalitions in Kentucky.