Kim Baker, president and CEO of the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce, is without a doubt the leading advocate of all things Gallatin, but she also pours her endless supply of energy and enthusiasm into promoting United Way of Sumner County. “The title is President and CEO but I consider myself a community champion, connector, convener and one of Gallatin’s biggest cheerleaders,” Kim said of her Chamber role. She has held the Chamber’s top leadership position since 2015.
But for years, Kim has carved out time in her busy schedule to volunteer for United Way in a number of capacities. “I think I’ve been volunteering with the United Way, officially, since I began work with the Chamber a decade ago, but I’ve found joy spending time with some of the partner agencies,” Kim said.
She has served on the United Way of Sumner County board of directors since 2022, and for years has volunteered with UWSC events and drives, including Stuff the Bus, the Fall Classic Golf Scramble and the annual Gala – her personal favorite. In fact, in previous years, Kim could be found serving wine and spirits to Gala attendees, then donating all of her bartending tips to United Way. She also created a signature cocktail for the annual fundraiser and plans to return to this year’s Gala in February.
Kim also allows the Gallatin Chamber office to serve as a public drop-off site for all of United Way of Sumner County’s community drives, including the Winter Care drive, the United We Feed food drive, the Mom & Baby Care drive and the previous Stuff the Bus school supply drive. One day, when we asked Kim if the Gallatin Chamber would help collect for one of our drives, she said “You don’t even have to ask. The answer is always YES.”
Kim shares her talents and skills with several community organizations. “I think serving and giving back is vital to community success,” Kim said. “I currently serve and volunteer with the Gallatin Shalom Zone, Recovery Court of Sumner County, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, Young Life of Sumner County, Volunteer State Community College Foundation and many of our local schools.” Serving the community and strengthening Sumner County is her passion.
“I volunteer with United Way of Sumner County because I believe in what they do, and I enjoy the connection to the variety of partner agencies that make a significant impact across our county,” Kim said. “ Involvement with the United Way has helped me become a more informed citizen and has allowed me the opportunity to connect more individuals in our community to needed resources - to either help themselves, their employees, or neighbors.”
Thank you, Kim, for all you do for all of us in Sumner County!