President and CEO of the KY Chamber of Commerce
Frankfort, KY
Joined November 2012
- Tweets7K
- Following2.2K
- Followers4.7K
- Likes25.8K
Congratulations to @KateShanksKY on this well deserved promotion. Kate is critical to the mission of the Chamber and is a true advocate for Ky businesses! 👏👏👏
The Kentucky Chamber has announced the promotion of Kate Shanks to Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, a newly created position focused on supporting the organization’s long-term growth and expanding its impact across Kentucky.
“Kate has played a critical role in the Kentucky Chamber’s success over the past decade, helping us advance major legislative priorities and deliver meaningful results for the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts. “As we continue to grow, Kate will bring that same leadership and commitment to expanding our reach and advancing our mission of serving Kentucky businesses.”
Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…
Ashli Watts retweeted
At the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, we remember Joel Ray Hopper as a driving force behind the Leadership Institute for School Principals and a champion of the program's growth and success over the years. His belief in investing in leaders helped expand opportunities for principals across Kentucky and strengthen the program's impact statewide.
This week, the Commonwealth is honoring his legacy with the dedication of the Joel Ray Hopper Memorial Highway in Henderson, recognizing his many contributions to Kentucky.
Today, his influence lives on through the students, schools, and communities served by Leadership Institute graduates.
Ashli Watts retweeted
Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts joined business leaders from nine other states in a new op-ed urging Congress to move forward on bipartisan permitting reform.
“As leaders representing employers, job creators, and millions of workers across 10 of our nation’s most dynamic energy states, we strongly endorse this deal and believe it could be a generational step forward for our economy, business community, and families in need of relief from high costs across every aspect of their daily lives.”
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would create clearer timelines for federal reviews, streamline agency processes, and reduce delays that can hold projects up for years.
Read the full op-ed: washingtonexaminer.com/op-ed… @dcexaminer
Ashli Watts retweeted
Kentucky has seen stronger job growth in 2026 than last year but faces headwinds from inflation and fuel prices.
After losing 5,700 jobs in 2025, Kentucky has gradually recovered in 2026, averaging 571 new jobs per month. Unemployment remains around 4.7%, while employment and labor force participation improved.
Meanwhile, inflation remains elevated, energy costs are rising, and consumer sentiment has fallen again. Diesel prices are now 88% higher than before the Iran conflict began, and September consumer sentiment is 14.2% lower than a year ago.
🔗Explore the Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research’s September update for the latest on Kentucky’s economy: kychamber.com/state-economy
Ashli Watts retweeted
Senate Majority Floor Leader @maxwellwise was presented the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts during an event at @CampbellsvilleU in recognition of his leadership during the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly.
🔗Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…
Ashli Watts retweeted
Kentucky’s state-led approach to addressing child care challenges was highlighted before Congress this week.
Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, outlining solutions to improve child care access and affordability while strengthening workforce participation.
Kentucky Chamber research shows improved access to affordable child care could help 16,000 to 28,000 Kentuckians join or rejoin the workforce.
Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…
Ashli Watts retweeted
Members of the Kentucky Chamber team joined leaders from across the Commonwealth this morning for the annual @KYFB Country Ham Breakfast at the @Kystatefair!
Congratulations to past Kentucky Chamber Board Chairs Joe Craft and Luther Deaton, who came together for a historic $10 million winning bid in the annual charity auction to support organizations across the Commonwealth!
Ashli Watts retweeted
The Kentucky Chamber has announced the finalists for the 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award, recognizing young professionals for their leadership, innovation, and service in their careers and communities.
This year's finalists are Tyler Burke of Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Kelsey Hargis of Independence Bank, Maegan Mansfield of BFW Engineering and Marcum Engineering, Aaron Marcus of Dentons, and Dr. Karan Shah of Physician Care Coordination Consultants (PC3 Health).
Starting today, each finalist will be featured in an individual post on our Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. To vote, simply share, comment on, and like their post — votes are counted from the Kentucky Chamber's posts only.
Voting is open through September 4, and the winner will be announced at the Young Professionals Summit on September 21 in Louisville.
Learn more about the finalists at kychamber.com/ypaward.
Ashli Watts retweeted
The Kentucky Chamber, in partnership with @Arnold_Ventures, hosted a roundtable in Louisville last week with @RepGuthrie, Chamber Board Chair-elect Kim Halbauer of @FifthThird, Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts Sen. @JRAforKY, Rep. Susan Witten, and leaders representing Kentucky’s home building, real estate, banking, nonprofit, and housing communities.
The group heard from Guthrie on passage of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and discussed what Kentucky can do next to increase housing supply, address barriers to building, and ensure communities have the homes needed to support working families and economic growth.
The conversation builds on work by the Chamber, @HBAofKy, and @kyrealtors, which met with more than 100 community and business leaders across six regions this summer and found widespread concern about whether communities have the housing needed to support business investment and population growth.
Read more on The Bottom Line: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…
Thanks to Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of @OntarioCofC for speaking to the @statechambers meeting in Niagara Falls today. Canada is Kentucky’s top trading partner.
Happy Fancy Farm Day to all who celebrate! And best of luck to my friend @buzzbaker for picking up the torch as emcee! There is nothing like the energy and excitement that happens in West Kentucky the first Saturday in August! May the odds be in your favor and the jokes land! 🇺🇸
Ashli Watts retweeted
Last week, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation Board of Directors gathered for its quarterly meeting, hosted by Board Chair Les Fugate and @brownforman. As part of the meeting, the Foundation also convened its first Stakeholder Strategy Session, bringing together educators, students, nonprofit and agency partners, and workforce professionals from across Kentucky.
Participants explored the trends shaping our Commonwealth, the partnerships driving momentum, the remaining barriers, and the opportunities ahead.
Thank you to Brown-Forman for hosting us and to everyone who shared their perspective. We appreciate the thoughtful discussion and look forward to building on these conversations as we continue to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunity across Kentucky.
What can I say about my dear friend @reneemshaw and this end of an era? As the self-appointed Chair of her fan club, we are all better for working with, and learning from her. She is the utmost professional and perfected matching her intellect with charm and civility. She truly broke the mold!
The Kentucky Chamber congratulates @reneemshaw on her retirement from @KET after 30 years of service to the Commonwealth.
Throughout her career, Renee has earned the respect and trust of Kentuckians through thoughtful, fair journalism and meaningful conversations on the issues that matter most to our state. She has also been a wonderful friend to the Kentucky Chamber over the years, serving as emcee of our Kentucky Chamber Day Dinner, moderating several panels and discussions with business and government leaders, and, most recently, receiving our 2026 Woman in Leadership Award.
Thank you, Renee, for your professionalism and commitment to Kentucky. We are grateful for all you've done and wish you nothing but the best in this next chapter.
It is always great to partner with @FBT_law !
Ashli Watts retweeted
As Kentucky’s workforce university, we are grateful for the Chamber and our business partners around the state who are providing jobs and workforce opportunities for our students! @AshliWatts
Ashli Watts retweeted
The Kentucky Chamber’s Education and Workforce Policy Council welcomed Dr. Eli Capilouto of the @universityofky, Dr. Gerry Bradley of the @uofl, Dr. David McFaddin of @eku, and Dr. Quentin Young of the @UCumberlands today for a discussion on higher education’s role in building Kentucky’s future workforce.
Moderated by Council Chair Dan Cahill of HSD Metrics, the university leaders shared how their institutions are aligning academic programs with employer needs, expanding industry partnerships and career pathways, and preparing students for success in an increasingly technology-driven economy. The conversation also explored affordability, student success, and strategies to help more graduates build their careers in Kentucky.
Ashli Watts retweeted
House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy (@kyrudy) was presented the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts at a Kentucky Chamber policy council meeting in July in recognition of his leadership during the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly. Read more on The Bottom Line: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…
