Kentucky Chamber Foundation

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s purpose is to unlock the power of business, accelerate solutions, and build opportunity in Kentucky.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Kentucky’s economy is changing fast—and building opportunity has never been more important. Hear from Foundation Board Chair Les Fugate of @brownforman, @KyChamber President and CEO @AshliWatts, and Foundation SVP Beth Davisson on the Foundation’s next chapter.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Congratulations to Angie Reynolds of TEK Center on her induction into the @USCCFoundation’s 2026 Talent Pipeline Management Hall of Fame!

Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management program, Angie worked alongside construction industry leaders to identify shared workforce challenges and develop employer-led solutions. That collaboration helped lay the groundwork for TEK Center, which Angie launched in Inez in 2023 to prepare Kentuckians for in-demand careers.

Since opening, TEK Center has trained 118 students and secured commitments from 16 employers to provide employment opportunities for graduates.

Congratulations to Angie on this well-deserved national recognition and her leadership in strengthening Eastern Kentucky’s workforce!

Read more in the 2025 Kentucky Chamber Foundation Impact Report: https://t.co/NfflvrprOB

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Northern Kentucky employers: How is AI impacting your workforce?

Join the Kentucky Chamber Foundation this coming Tuesday for a regional virtual listening session to share how your business is using AI, how workforce and skill needs are evolving, and what employers in your area need to prepare for the future.

Your insights will help ensure workforce-readiness efforts are informed by what employers are experiencing across the Commonwealth.

Register here: https://t.co/aitp85rhdL

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Tomorrow, Kentucky takes the national stage!

Join us in cheering on Maris Godbey of Lexington, Kentucky's 2026 National Civics Bee State Champion, as she competes in the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C.

Maris's award-winning essay explored solutions to homelessness and housing stability, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals and families struggling to find safe, affordable housing. Her work reflects the civic knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that the National Civics Bee inspires.

Tune in tomorrow at 8 PM on @cspan to cheer on Maris as she represents Kentucky against state champions from across the country.

Read more about Maris's journey here: https://t.co/hclXfHNyOe

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

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.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Employers in the Bowling Green and Paducah regions: Tell us how AI is impacting your workforce.

This week, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation is hosting regional virtual listening sessions to better understand how Kentucky businesses are using AI, how workforce and skill needs are changing, and what employers need to prepare for the future.

Your insights will help ensure workforce-readiness efforts reflect the realities businesses are experiencing across the Commonwealth.

Register here: https://t.co/aitp85rhdL

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

AI is changing how businesses operate. Learn how it can support your organization.

Join the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's Small Business B(AI)sics training to learn practical applications of AI for your everyday work. Topics include marketing, customer service, hiring, business planning, finance, prompt writing, and protecting sensitive information.

- Free to attend
- No technical experience required
- Open to organizations with 500 employees or fewer

Small Business B(AI)sics is delivered in partnership with the @USCCFoundation, with support from @Google.

Reserve your spot and register now: https://t.co/ZNK1H550pZ

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Kentucky's employers depend on strong talent pipelines, and that starts with investing in the next generation of leaders.

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation was proud to support the Kentucky Young Professionals Summit hosted by @KyChamber, where emerging leaders from across the Commonwealth came together to build skills, expand their networks, and learn from thought leaders and industry experts. Callie Miracle, the Foundation's Director of Implementation, served as emcee, facilitating conversations around leadership, career growth, and community impact.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation wants to hear from employers across the Commonwealth. Join a virtual listening session this October and help us understand how Kentucky businesses are using AI, how workforce and skill needs are changing, and what employers need to prepare for the future.

Your insights will help ensure Kentucky's workforce-readiness efforts reflect the real opportunities, challenges, and needs facing employers across the state.

Register for a virtual listening session now: https://t.co/aitp85rP3j

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Military service members bring valuable skills and experience to Kentucky’s workforce. But translating military experience into civilian careers is not always straightforward for employers or service members.

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation recently joined Kentucky @ESGR, the Kentucky Air @NationalGuard, @KYSHRM, and Foundation board members for a firsthand look at military talent and its role in Kentucky’s workforce.

The experience included a flight aboard a Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 and conversations with Guard and Reserve service members about their experience, skills, and the opportunities and challenges that come with civilian employment.

Through the Foundation’s Military Hiring Academy, employers gain practical tools to better understand military experience and recruit, hire, and retain service members and veterans.

Learn more about the Military Hiring Academy here: https://t.co/HjG9Fos1vW

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Kentucky Chamber Foundation Senior Director of Advancement & Partnerships LaKisha Miller shared workforce and education strategies that communities can adapt to meet local needs during a recent Henderson Leadership Initiative session at the Henderson City-County Airport.

@KyChamber Director of Public Affairs John Hughes also provided a legislative update, helping connect state policy discussions to local priorities and community impact.

Together, these conversations equipped leaders with practical approaches to expand opportunity and strengthen their regional workforce.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Through its work with Hometown Health, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation is bringing employers, health care providers, and community partners together to help address barriers to employment, including expanding Fair Chance Employment opportunities. Foundation Senior Vice President Beth Davisson recently shared that approach with leaders from the Campbellsville Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, helping extend proven workforce strategies to more Kentucky communities.

Learn more about our Fair Chance hiring work here: https://t.co/y8Avg5nkMs

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation recently joined Kentucky's Opportunity Alliance at the National Opportunity Convening, hosted by Education Strategy Group, where state teams from across the country explored strategies to better connect education, employers, and opportunity.

Alongside partners including the @CPENews, leaders from workforce, education, economic development, and philanthropy shared best practices to strengthen pathways to economic mobility and meaningful careers. The Kentucky Chamber Foundation was proud to bring the employer perspective to the conversation and bring new ideas back to Kentucky.

Learn more about the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's workforce and education solutions here: https://t.co/Nhgi1YM9Y2

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Creativity and problem-solving matter in every industry.

At the Kentucky Chamber's Workforce Summit, we asked employers:

What financial or business skills do you wish every new hire had?

One participant emphasized the value of an entrepreneurial mindset, including the ability to think creatively, solve problems, learn from challenges, and adapt.

Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's action grant with the @USChamber and @CollegeBoard, we're sharing employer insights to help strengthen workforce readiness and career preparation.

What skill do you think will be most important for the next generation of workers?

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Financial literacy remains a critical workplace skill.

At the Kentucky Chamber's Workforce Summit, we asked employers:

What financial or business skills do you wish every new hire had?

One participant shared that a stronger foundation in financial literacy helps new hires transition into a new field or career.

Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's partnership with the @USChamber and @CollegeBoard, we're elevating employer feedback to better understand the skills organizations value most in today's workforce.

How can Kentucky better prepare students with the financial literacy skills they need to succeed in the workforce?

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Leadership skills are important at every career level.

At the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Summit, we asked employers what skills they wished every new hire had. One employer's response reminded us that leadership isn't defined by a title—it's demonstrated by positively influencing others, taking responsibility, and helping move work forward.

Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's partnership with the @USChamber and @CollegeBoard, we're highlighting employer perspectives to better connect education and workforce expectations.

What leadership qualities do you value most in a new employee?

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

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.

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Kentucky Chamber Foundation Associate Director of Partnerships Ryan Bowman recently joined the @LSCtweets for a discussion on record clearing and second chance employment.

Alongside Barbara Aker of Richmond Baking, a Kentucky Comeback employer partner, and LSC President @ron_flagg, Ryan shared how employers, legal service providers, and workforce organizations are working together to expand fair chance hiring opportunities across Kentucky.

Thank you to the Legal Services Corporation for highlighting Kentucky's innovative work and creating space to explore how these partnerships can strengthen communities nationwide.

Learn more about the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's Fair Chance Hiring work here: https://t.co/KDUbEykOdT

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Understanding a budget is not just a life skill. It's also a workplace skill.

Earlier this year at the Kentucky Chamber's Workforce Summit, the Foundation asked employers one simple question:

What financial or business skills do you wish every new hire had?

One response focused on budgeting. Participants shared that the ability to build, follow, and understand a budget is important at every level of an organization, not just for managers and executives.

Through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's partnership with the @USChamber and @CollegeBoard, we're gathering employer perspectives like these to help strengthen the connection between classroom learning and real-world workforce expectations.

What financial skill do you think is most important for students to learn before entering the workforce?

[Kentucky Chamber Foundation @KyChamberFdn]

Kentucky employers say soft skills are critical.

Earlier this year at the Kentucky Chamber's Workforce Summit, the Foundation asked employers one simple question:

What financial or business skills do you wish every new hire had?

Key takeaways? Technical knowledge matters, but so do the skills that help people work well with others. Problem-solving, communication, and empathy continue to be among the most valuable qualities employers look for in new hires.

Throughout this series, we'll share employer perspectives gathered through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation's partnership with the @USChamber and @CollegeBoard to help strengthen the connection between classroom learning and real-world workforce expectations.

What skill would you add to the list?