The Brighton Center announced Monday that Vice President Talia Frye, “a leader, role model, mentor, and friend to all” died unexpectedly on Oct. 20 at the age of 44.
“Talia made each employee feel welcome, provided compassionate and approachable support, and was a consummate humble servant leader,” said June Miller, chief financial and administrative officer at Brighton Center. “The depth of her oversight at Brighton Center was undeniable. She was responsible for an organization with far-reaching impact and provided oversight to a multi-million-dollar budget, close to 200 employees, and thousands of volunteers.”
Frye began her career at Brighton Center in January 2003. Throughout her career at the nonprofit, which creates opportunities for people and families to reach self-sufficiency, she held many roles: She led and built program efforts in the areas of Crisis Stabilization, workforce development, family development, community building, and youth development; she developed and implemented national best practice models such as the Center for Employment Training, family development, family-centered coaching, and the Financial Opportunity Center model.
Frye was promoted to vice president in 2021.
She leveraged the experience of working with families on their journey to financial stability and independence to help employers build talent pipelines that benefit their bottom lines and the lives of their staff and families, according to Brighton Center.
Frye helped bring The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati — a regional workforce development initiative that is now a member of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions network of 34 communities across the U.S. seeing to improve workforce solutions — to the region.
When that initiative was announced, Frye was quoted as saying that the region’s employers need access to cutting-edge solutions to meet their labor demands.
“At the same time, workers in our community need us to understand the complexity of their lives, including what factors help or hinder their ability to get and keep quality family-sustaining jobs,” Frye said at the time. “The National Fund for Workforce Solutions connects our community to the most innovative and comprehensive best practices our nation has to offer.”
Frye, according to the Brighton Center, “never turned down the opportunity to be at any table to share the voice of our families. She knew that it was important for others to understand their lives, the issues they faced on their journey to achieving their aspirations, and the critical role systems and public policy played in holding them back.”
Frye served on the Mental Health Court Community Board, Talent Strategies Symposium Planning Committee, the Newport Primary School Resource Center Advisory Council, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Committee.
“Talia was a champion for all, impacted thousands of lives, and believed deeply in the potential of every human and led them to believe in themselves,” said Brighton Center Vice President Melissa Hall Sommer. “Her heart for giving back to the community was evident and she modeled the way for our staff and customers.”
Frye attended Northern Kentucky University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and a master’s in public administration. She helped start the Brighton Center’s Opportunity House at NKU, a project to develop post-secondary education opportunities and stable housing for young adults with difficult life experiences.
“Talia was a special soul with the biggest heart who worked with strength and conviction daily to make this world a better place,” said Brighton Center President and CEO Wonda Winkler. “The impact on us, our families, and our work over the last 20 years have been profound and beyond measure. The outpouring of love, support, and condolences has been immense, a testament to a meaningful life lived with purpose, kindness, and compassion. We are all better for having known and loved her. She was our mission; she was our values; she was Brighton Center with every fiber of her generous heart and passionate being.”
Frye is survived by her parents, Douglas and Linda Wisher; siblings, Diane (Gary) Reynolds, Christine Wisher, Joseph (Michele) Wisher, Steven (Cathy) Wisher and Raymond (Erica) Wisher. Frye is also survived by many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
For those wishing to pay their respects, visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27 at Saint Agnes Church at 1680 Dixie Highway in Fort Wright from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Click here to send flowers.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Agnes Church.
Sympathy may be expressed with a memorial contribution to Brighton Center, located at 741 Central Ave. in Newport or at brightoncenter.com.
