The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce (nechamber.com) & Industry’s newest hires are serving Nebraska in new positions: Executive Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Communications and Director of Government Affairs.
Kelly Bartling joined the NE Chamber team in November as EVP of Marketing and Strategic Communications. Prior to joining the NE Chamber, Bartling had a 26-year career at the University of Nebraska, as Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Marketing at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and as News Director at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Her background also includes work at several Nebraska daily newspapers. In Bartling’s NE Chamber role, she will guide data-driven strategies in public/community relations, marketing and content development, multi-media storytelling, and branding to advance the NE Chamber mission to serve and strengthen Nebraska businesses.
Luisa Smith joined the NE Chamber in January 2026 as Director of Government Affairs. Smith had been working on Capitol Hill since 2021, most recently as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator James E. Risch. Her policy expertise includes areas such as energy, transportation, science, and infrastructure. Smith will serve as the dedicated government affairs and policy lead for Tech Nebraska, managing Tech Nebraska and the NE Chamber’s shared technology and innovation portfolio, and assisting with the NE Chamber’s broader agenda and presence before the Legislature.
For more information, please visit nechamber.com.