Katelynn Rowe Named 2026 Young Leader of the Year Finalist by Paducah Chamber and The Paducah Sun
PADUCAH, KY (Jan 28. 2026) — Katelynn Rowe, Director of Marketing and Communications at Signet Federal Credit Union, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Young Leader of the Year award by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Paducah Sun. The annual award recognizes outstanding young professionals who demonstrate leadership, career excellence, and meaningful community impact. Ten finalists were selected this year, with the recipient to be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Business Celebration on Jan. 30 at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center.
“Leadership isn’t about a title — it’s about service, consistency, and showing up for your community,” Rowe said. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many leaders who care deeply about Paducah and Western Kentucky. Everything I do is rooted in helping people see opportunity where they live.”
A graduate of West Kentucky Community and Technical College and Murray State University, Rowe holds an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication with a minor in advertising. Her professional honors include Leadership Paducah Class #38 Graduate and Outstanding Class Member, Kentucky Colonel (2025), Credit Union Times National Finalist for Excellence in Marketing and Rising Star (Top 10 nationally), Marquis Who’s Who Listee, VUE Magazine’s 40 Under Forty (2024), Kentucky’s Credit Unions Emerging Leader Graduate, and Kentucky’s Credit Unions Excellence in Marketing Award recipient.
Rowe is also the creator of Signet Showdown, a regional skilled-trades competition developed in partnership with West Kentucky Community and Technical College and local industry leaders. The event connects students in trades directly with employers through live, hands-on competition. Signet Showdown was designed to spotlight the value of skilled trades, create direct pipelines from classroom to career, support workforce development in Western Kentucky, and help keep talent — and jobs — local.
In addition to her professional work, Rowe serves on the AGC Event Planning Committee and the WKCTC Business Administration Advisory Board and volunteers with Journey Church. Her past service includes PPW and the Benton Woman’s Club.
As part of the finalist process, nominees were asked: “What is one characteristic every leader should possess?” Rowe’s response is featured in The Paducah Sun. The full article is available at: Chamber, Sun name 2026 Young Leader finalists | News | paducahsun.com