Keller Riede Joins Commerce Lexington as Public Policy Intern

Commerce Lexington's Policy Intern, Keller Riede (left), with Congressman Brett Guthrie. (Photo submitted)

Written by Keller Riede

Hello! My name is Keller Riede, and I am a senior at the University of Kentucky, where I plan to graduate in May with a degree in Political Science and Law & Justice. I’m originally from Louisville and have had the opportunity to engage with policy at the federal, state, and local levels.
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As I begin my spring internship with Commerce Lexington as the Public Policy Intern, I’m excited to contribute to an organization with such a broad reach and meaningful impact on the future of Lexington and the Commonwealth. In the coming months, I’ll have the opportunity to meet with key legislators and gain firsthand exposure to the inner workings of our state’s legislative framework. Stepping into this role feels like the perfect intersection of my interests in public policy and community impact, and I’m eager to learn from the dedicated team working every day to move our region forward.

My path to Commerce Lexington began with a simple outreach on LinkedIn. After connecting with Andi Johnson, Chief Policy Officer & Director of Regional Engagement, and Anthony Allen, Vice President of Public Policy, I quickly saw how passionate they are about strengthening our community through thoughtful advocacy and policy work. What started as an informational coffee chat soon turned into an invaluable opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I was inspired by their commitment to public service and their efforts to bridge the gap between businesses, legislators, and the communities they serve.
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I’m eager to grow, deepen my understanding of how effective advocacy strengthens communities, and learn from the professionals who lead this work every day. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from Andi, Anthony, and the entire Commerce Lexington team, and I look forward to contributing wherever I can this spring.