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Katie Kirkpatrick
President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber
Katie Kirkpatrick is the President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC), a position she has held since June 2020. With over 15 years of experience at MAC, she has played a pivotal role in shaping public policy and fostering connections between the business community and government at various levels. Before becoming CEO, she served as the Chief Policy Officer and was instrumental in advocating for policies that enhance Georgia's business climate, education, and infrastructure.13
Professional Background
- Early Career: Kirkpatrick began her career at Gold Kist, Inc., where she was the Director of Environmental Engineering, managing compliance and engineering projects across multiple states.
- Metro Atlanta Chamber: She joined MAC in 2007 as the Vice President of Environmental Affairs, later progressing through roles such as Senior Vice President for Business Higher Education and Senior Vice President for Policy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.243
Leadership Initiatives
As CEO, Kirkpatrick has spearheaded several significant initiatives:
- ATL Action for Racial Equity: A long-term effort aimed at leveraging the business community to promote racial equity in Atlanta.
- Public Policy Advocacy: She leads efforts to protect Georgia’s business climate against potentially harmful legislation and focuses on talent development and community well-being.32
Community Involvement
Kirkpatrick is actively involved in various organizations:
- She serves on the GRACE Commission, which works to combat human trafficking in Georgia.
- She is a vice-chair for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and has held leadership roles in several other civic organizations.23
Education
Kirkpatrick earned her degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University, where she is also recognized as a member of the 100+ Women Strong group of successful female engineering alumni. She is a registered professional engineer in multiple states.43
Recognition
In 2023, she was named one of Georgia Trend magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians and featured in Atlanta Magazine’s Atlanta 500, highlighting her impact and leadership within the region.3
Kirkpatrick resides in Atlanta with her husband and two sons, actively participating in community sports leagues and church activities.2
