Annual event will connect students and community members with leaders in finance, education, and workforce development

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State University’s School of Business and Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy will host the 2026 Annual Federal Reserve Luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom.

This year’s featured speakers are Seema Sheth, senior vice president and regional executive of the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and Tanelle Sawyer, chief external impact officer for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

The annual luncheon brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members to hear from leaders working at the intersection of education, economic opportunity, and workforce development. The event is presented in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch.

Dr. Amanda Fickey, associate director of research, development, and partnerships in the School of Business, helps coordinate the luncheon and the partnerships supporting it.

“This event creates an important connection between what students are learning at Kentucky State and the economic and workforce issues shaping communities across the Commonwealth,” Dr. Fickey said. “By bringing leaders from the Federal Reserve and KCTCS to campus, we are giving students an opportunity to hear different perspectives, ask questions, and consider how their education can prepare them to contribute.”

“For many years, the Kentucky State School of Business and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch, have collaborated to bring this program to our campus,” Dr. Stratton said. “The Federal Reserve Luncheon was developed by Dr. Abdul Turay during his tenure as chair of the School of Business, and we are pleased to continue that tradition through this year’s featured speakers.”

Sheth has led the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis since December 2021. The branch serves southern Indiana and western Kentucky. Before joining the St. Louis Fed, she was vice president and relationship strategist at PNC Private Bank in Louisville. Driven by a commitment to financial literacy, she founded the Adulting Academy to teach young adults foundational financial skills.

Louisville Business First named Sheth a Forty Under 40 honoree in 2024 after previously recognizing her as one of its 20 People to Know in Wealth Management and Financial Planning. She serves on several civic and professional boards and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine, and an undergraduate degree in theater from William & Mary.

KCTCS named Sawyer chief external impact officer in 2024 following her service as the system’s associate vice president of economic development, where she focused on strengthening industry partnerships. Her earlier experience includes managing workforce and industry programs at Greater Louisville Inc. and holding student support roles at the University of Louisville and Jefferson Community and Technical College.

From classrooms in Korea and Belize to boardrooms across Kentucky, Sawyer’s career reflects a commitment to connecting education with meaningful outcomes. A past president of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville, she holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Murray State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville.

For more information, contact Dr. Gary Stratton at gary.stratton@kysu.edu or 502-209-0064.