Employer-Led Solutions Strengthening Kentucky’s Workforce, Education, and Communities
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report highlights how Kentucky employers, educators, policymakers, and community partners are working together to address the Commonwealth’s workforce and education challenges.
Across the state, business-led partnerships are moving beyond conversation to implementation—creating new career pathways, strengthening school leadership, expanding opportunity, and supporting long-term economic growth in Kentucky communities.
Read the Full 2025 Impact Report
A Message from Foundation Leadership
2025 Impact Highlights
In 2025, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation delivered measurable, employer-driven results across Kentucky through business leadership and strong partnerships.
3,252 students participated in hands-on career exploration experiences
283 employers improved hiring and workforce practices
199 Kentuckians connected to jobs and placements through employer-led hiring academies
15,000+ Kentuckians impacted by employers working together across all 10 regions to hire, retain, and support a stronger workforce
40 school principals completed executive-level leadership training
19,508 students were impacted by principals trained through Foundation initiatives
57 hospitals engaged in industry-led collaborations to expand health care workforce pathways
220+ individuals were placed into employment through fair chance hiring efforts
View All 2025 Highlights
This map reflects the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s 2025 impact, highlighting where employers, educators, and partners advanced workforce and education solutions across the Commonwealth.
How We Drive Impact
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation works alongside employers and partners across Kentucky to address workforce and education challenges through practical, business-led solutions.
Drive Collaborative, Business-Led Solutions
Uniting employers and partners to solve Kentucky’s most pressing workforce challenges.
Expand Opportunity by Strengthening Communities
Creating pathways for Kentuckians to learn, work, and thrive.
Build for Tomorrow
Investing in leadership, civic engagement, and long-term strategies that strengthen Kentucky’s future.
Stories of Impact
We are proud to highlight the measurable outcomes and impactful stories from partners helping lead this work across the Commonwealth.
Business-Led Collaboration That Strengthens A Regional Talent Pipeline
When leaders at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) identified a growing need for aircraft mechanics, they partnered with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation to strengthen workforce pipelines before shortages emerged.
That collaboration helped launch the Epic Flight Academy at CVG, creating new pathways into high-demand aviation careers while supporting the airport’s continued growth as a global logistics hub.
“The Kentucky Chamber Foundation helped us better understand our workforce needs early on and take a more direct role in building the pipeline," said Gina Stough, vice president of Human Resources at CVG.
Read the Story
Building New Pathways into Skilled Trades Careers
In eastern Kentucky, employers participating in a Kentucky Chamber Foundation-led collaborative identified a growing shortage of skilled trades workers and a lack of training opportunities to meet industry demand.
That effort helped inspire the creation of the TEK Center, preparing students and workers for high-demand technical careers while strengthening workforce pipelines across the region.
“The Foundation helped bring us together to understand the problem, and that’s what inspired me to build a solution," said Angie Reynolds, founder of TEK Center.
Read the Story
Leadership that Multiplies Impact for Students and Schools
Through the Leadership Institute for School Principals, school leaders across Kentucky are strengthening leadership skills, improving school culture, and creating stronger outcomes for students.
For Henderson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Lawson, the experience reshaped his approach to leadership and continues to influence schools across the district today.
“It positively transforms who you are and how you think, not just the strategies you use," said Dr. Bob Lawson, superintendent of Henderson County Schools.
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Kentucky Civics Bee Champion Places 5th at 2025 National Civics Bee® Competition
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s National Civics Bee initiative is helping students across Kentucky engage more deeply with civics, leadership, and public policy.
For Kentucky finalist Ava Bogard, the experience inspired a deeper passion for advocacy and civic engagement, ultimately leading to a fifth-place national finish in Washington, D.C.
“By participating in the National Civics Bee, I cultivated a passion for civics, public policy, and activism that I did not have prior," said Ava Bogard, winner of the 2025 National Civics Bee Kentucky State Finals.
Read the Story
Statewide Reach
Since 2017, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation has delivered sustained impact across Kentucky through employer-led partnerships and statewide collaboration.
120 counties reached across Kentucky
1,044 students engaged in career exploration experiences
641 school principals trained through executive-level leadership development
$19.1 million invested to support workforce development initiatives statewide
The Voice of Our Partners
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“When we bring the right partners together with a shared focus on outcomes, we can create lasting opportunity for Kentuckians and strengthen the future of our Commonwealth.”—Les Fugate, Vice President Director, Public Affairs, U.S. State and Local, Canada, & Latin America, Brown-Forman; Kentucky Chamber Foundation Board Chair
“At Fifth Third, we believe expanding opportunity requires more than individual effort—it takes alignment across employers, communities, and systems. The Kentucky Chamber Foundation brings together the right partners to move solutions forward.” — Kim Halbauer, Regional President, Fifth Third Bank Kentucky; Chair-Elect, Kentucky Chamber
“Kentucky’s workforce system works best when everyone is pulling in the same direction. SWATT makes that happen—coordinating workforce, education, and economic development partners statewide around real employer demand and real opportunity for Kentuckians.” — Dr. Ryan Quarles, President, Kentucky Community and Technical College System 
“At AT&T, we see how important it is for students to have a clear path from the classroom to a career.” — Carlos E. Sanchez, President, AT&T Kentucky
“The Kentucky Chamber Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Commonwealth and the businesses that contribute to its economic success.” — Yajaira Aich West, Vice President, Client & Community Relations Director, PNC
“We invest in the Kentucky Chamber Foundation because strong schools and leadership are critical to the future of our communities.” — Joe Craft III, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, Alliance Resource PartnersOur Priorities in 2026
Building on the progress highlighted in the 2025 Impact Report, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation will continue to focus on solutions that strengthen Kentucky’s workforce, education systems, and long-term economic growth.
In 2026, the Foundation will prioritize:
Advancing employer-led workforce solutions
Strengthening education-to-career pathways
Investing in school leadership development
Expanding civic understanding and engagement
Increasing awareness and adoption of AI and emerging technology to support workforce readiness
Thank You to Our Partners
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation is grateful to the employers, educators, organizations, and community leaders who partner with us to strengthen Kentucky’s workforce, education systems, and communities.
Their leadership and collaboration make the outcomes highlighted in the 2025 Impact Report possible.
View Foundation Partners
Together, We Build Opportunity
Your partnership helps strengthen Kentucky’s workforce, schools, and communities.