Lisa Willner

Email editor@[the profile publisher].org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Willner graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1977, earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1981, master's from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1990, and Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1992. She has served as executive director of the Kentucky Psychological Association and has served on the faculty at Bellarmine University since 2000.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m honored to represent the 35th District, and proud of my continued record of standing up for working people.

I believe that partisan power and corporate greed too often rule Frankfort. I proudly stand up to both.

My focus remains on finding commonsense answers that help real people address real challenges. We have an affordability problem - families simply can't afford basic needs like housing, groceries, medicines, and childcare. However, big corporations continue to ask the Kentucky Legislature for more and more tax breaks - even when they are making record profits. It's wrong and I call them out.

I continue to write, support, and sponsor legislation to address the growing affordability crisis and I will continue to push for closing loopholes on corporate greed.

And as the only licensed mental health professional in the Kentucky Legislature, I bring a unique voice. We must address the growing mental health challenges that face our Commonwealth. I have had some recent successes but there is still much work to be done.

I will continue to work with anyone on behalf of the hard-working people throughout my district.

The only promises I make are:

1) to never compromise my values and

2) to always work hard on behalf of our district.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m a champion for working people and economic justice. I envision a Kentucky where everyone has access to good jobs, healthcare, thriving public schools, and a dignified retirement. I will always stand up for fair taxation, investment in our people, communities, and small businesses. I oppose corporate giveaways that come at the expense of everyday Kentuckians.A healthy democracy depends on good public schools. Our public schools deserve adequate funding for student resources, fair pay for teachers and school staff, modern facilities, transportation, and wraparound services for students. The Kentucky legislature has a constitutional responsibility to adequately and equitably fund our public school systems, but we have failed to meet this obligation. I will continue to advocate for our public schools.Mental healthcare is healthcare. As the only licensed psychologist in the Kentucky legislature, I am committed to mental health parity, breaking down mental health stigma, and advancing policies that promote mental health awareness and mental healthcare access.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental health policy, Education policy, Access for individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ fairness, Women’s health to and maternal health.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

KY AFL-CIO, Better Schools Kentucky, Planned Parenthood, Fairness Campaign

Lisa Willner did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Lisa Willner did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Lisa Willner did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

.survey-result {padding:10px;}

p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;}

p.survey-response {margin-left:10px;}

p.survey-response {white-space: pre-line;}

div.survey-scrollbox { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; }

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Good jobs with livable wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions; high-performing public schools with high levels of support for students, teachers, and school employees; access to healthcare including mental health services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education, Healthcare, Good jobs. For our communities and our state to thrive, we need to put people first. Access to healthcare, good and adequately resourced public schools, and good-paying jobs are essential to moving our state forward.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, compassion, and a strong work ethic.

In response to a survey published by WLKY, Willner answered several questions outlining her campaign themes and vision.

List 3 reasons voters should elect you:

I will advocate for school funding to be spent where it belongs: in the classroom - not to maintain a top-heavy administration.

I will work to ensure that teachers have the resources and support they need to engage in the hard and rewarding work of educating our children, to ensure that JCPS students leave school college or career-ready.

I will insist on transparency in financial reporting, and will not shrink from challenging the status quo. Taxpayer dollars must be spent efficiently and effectively. As a member of the Board, I will be a hardworking and loyal steward of the public trust.

What are the most important issues facing JCPS?

Students and student success must be at the center of every JCPS policy and decision. Compared to peer school districts around the country, JCPS invests less in the classroom, has higher student to teacher ratios, and the lowest percentage of teachers compared to total staff.

Equitable opportunities for all Jefferson County children to get a great education. District 6 reflects the diversity of the Greater Louisville community. Our public schools must be prepared to meet the unique learning needs of every child.

Bringing JCPS into the 21st century. Outdated practices and obsolete technologies are not only wasteful, but stand in the way of our maximizing progress for every student.

What is your vision for education in this community?

For JCPS to be the best urban school district in the country:

Happy, healthy, and engaged children succeeding at a high level.

Educators receiving the support they need.

Equitable opportunities for a great education for every child.

High levels of stakeholder engagement with an abundance of community partnerships, including public/private, JCPS/metro government, K-12/higher education, JCPS/nonprofit, and more.

We can't afford to be patient on these issues - children in under-performing schools don't get a second chance at their childhoods. We have to change and improve now for our children and their children to succeed.[5]

—WLKY survey (2014)[6]