Kate Bates serves as President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Kate was appointed to this role in June 2014 after an extensive national search. Kate began her tenure with the Chamber in 2007, serving in areas of increasing responsibility. Under her leadership, the Chamber increased their business advocacy efforts with notable state and local successes as well as growing significantly in membership. Prior to joining the Chamber, she worked for Women In Government, a national nonpartisan association of women state legislators. 

 

Kate serves as Chair of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE). She also serves on the Arlington Economic Development Commission, the Arlington/Alexandria Workforce Investment Council, the Leadership Center for Excellence Board of Directors, and participates actively in a number of additional regional organizations.

 

Kate was the 2014 recipient of the Outstanding Young Virginian Award from the Virginia Jaycees and was an inaugural honoree for the Leadership Center for Excellence’s 40 Under 40.  In 2017, she was named a Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. In 2019, she was recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives as a 40 Under 40 honoree for significant contributions to her community as well as the Chamber industry.

 

Kate is a graduate of The George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science and International Affairs as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s four-year Institute for Organization Management training program. She is also a graduate of Leadership Arlington and Leadership Greater Washington.  Originally from small-town Illinois, Kate and her husband Ronnie have made Arlington their home.