Louisville, Ky. (April 1, 2024) – Greater Louisville Inc. added two integral staff members with the hire of Makayla Owens as director, industry networks and Fatima Thompson as economic development manager. Both roles will support GLI’s work to grow the regional economy in core industry clusters including healthcare, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

Owens brings a decade of experience in workforce and organizational development. In her role as director, industry networks, she will actively engage in guiding key industry networks, the Health Enterprises Network (HEN)  and Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (AML) network, participating in fundraising initiatives and the lead a coalition of organizations and businesses to represent Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky regions at the BIO International Conference. BIO International Conference is the world’s largest convening of the biotechnology industry, attracting more than 20,000 industry professionals from across the globe. She will also coordinate GLI’s successful professional development programs, HEN Fellows, and AML Fellows. Owens will work closely with GLI’s economic development and investor relations teams.

In addition, GLI hired Fatima Thompson as a manager of economic development. Thompson will focus on identifying and nurturing new business opportunities and enhancing relationships with potential relocating businesses, site selectors, and industry partners. She most recently served as National Sales Manager for Louisville Tourism, and before that worked for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.  The economic development manager position was funded through GLI’s contract with Louisville Metro Government.

“Both Makayla and Fatima bring unique experience and expertise that will be a major benefit to advancing economic growth and innovation in the Louisville region. I am excited to see how they help our region create new jobs and excel in our core industry clusters” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc.

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About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. is the Metro Chamber of Commerce and represents 15 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. GLI’s mission is to grow businesses and the regional economy. GLI supports businesses during every stage of development and represents the collective needs of the business community by advocating for pro-growth policies and economic development investment, and deploying programming centered around attracting and developing talent and economic inclusion. GLI is the 2019 National Chamber of the Year and is one of only three percent of chambers nationally certified with 5-star accreditation status by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Learn more on social media @GLIchamber or visit www.greaterlouisville.com.