The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 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.
In this role, Shanks will help lead the Chamber’s growth strategy, expand its engagement with business leaders and partners throughout Kentucky, and bring together the Chamber’s advocacy, programs and partnerships to build on its success. She will also continue leading the Chamber’s public policy and advocacy efforts with state and federal lawmakers.
“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 Ashli Watts. “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.”
Shanks has been with the Kentucky Chamber since 2015, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. During her tenure, she has helped shape the Chamber’s legislative agenda and worked with business leaders and lawmakers to secure significant policy victories for Kentucky businesses.
Under her leadership, the Chamber has helped secure passage of major tax reforms, modernize Kentucky’s unemployment insurance system, establish a statewide consumer data privacy framework, advance legislation supporting the Commonwealth’s signature industries and pass monumental legislation to strengthen child care in Kentucky.
“Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside business leaders, policymakers and partners across Kentucky to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our Commonwealth,” said Shanks. “I’m excited to take on this expanded role, find new opportunities to serve our members, strengthen our partnerships and make Kentucky an even better place to do business.”
Before joining the Kentucky Chamber, Shanks spent nearly 12 years working on energy and environmental policy, regulation and legislative affairs.
Shanks earned a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Management and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky’s Martin School for Public Policy and Administration, where she serves on the Board of Visitors. She received the Martin School’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024 and was recognized among the Kentucky Gazette’s Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government in 2022. Shanks is also a graduate of Leadership Kentucky’s Class of 2017 and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management.