Kayla Kueckelhan named Department's Deputy Director…

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that Kayla Kueckelhan will serve as DED's Deputy Director. Kueckelhan previously served as Director of the Division of Strategy and Performance.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kayla Kueckelhan as Deputy Director of Team DED," said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. "Kayla's leadership experience, strong commitment to public service, and proven ability to build relationships will be invaluable as we continue advancing Missouri's economy. I look forward to working alongside her to support our team and strengthen the impact we make for communities and businesses across the state."

As Deputy Director, Kueckelhan will support the Director while overseeing DED's strategy, financial operations, and human resources functions.

"It's truly an honor to step into this new role of leadership at DED," said Kayla Kueckelhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Development. "This is an exciting time for our state with so much progress made and many opportunities for even more growth in the future. I'm grateful to join Director Hataway in leading such an incredible team that works tirelessly to help Missourians prosper."

During her time as Director of the Strategy and Performance Division, Kueckelhan worked with division leaders to coordinate operational excellence efforts by streamlining processes and empowering team members to improve performance. Kueckelhan has served with the State of Missouri since 2012 and has held leadership roles within the Department of Revenue.

Kueckelhan is certified in Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement method that uses collaboration to improve performance by removing waste and reducing variation. She became certified in Project Management in 2023 and is also a graduate of the Missouri Leadership Academy and two-time recipient of the Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity. Kueckelhan holds a degree in business administration from the University of Central Missouri.

About the Missouri Department of Economic Development

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri's businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create greater opportunities for Missourians to prosper.

For the latest updates on DED's current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED's website.