Jeremy Hegle is assistant vice president and Community Affairs Officer (CAO). In this role, Hegle leads the Tenth District’s External LinkCommunity Development department with responsibility for leading and executing the Bank’s districtwide community and economic development initiatives, which address challenging issues affecting lower-income individuals, underserved communities and small businesses’ access to credit.
He also represents the Kansas City Fed on the Federal Reserve System’s CAO subcommittee and will manage the Bank’s External LinkCommunity Development Advisory Council.
Prior to being named CAO in 2023, Hegle led the Bank’s digital equity efforts. In 2019 Hegle co-authored External LinkDisconnected: Seven lessons on fixing the digital divide, a layperson’s overview of the digital divide. He led efforts to narrow the digital divide using three strategies:
- Expanding access to affordable home broadband. External LinkCollaborating with state broadband directors, federal agencies, and local government on broadband deployment strategies and increased access through External Linkaffordable internet programs.
- Increasing the supply of low-cost computers by encouraging employers to External Linkdonate their used computers to nonprofit refurbishers, schools and community organizations.
- External LinkInforming banks, foundations, government and policymakers of the complex factors that cause the digital divide, the latest research on the topic, and creative solutions to fix it.
Hegle joined the Kansas City Fed in 2015. Previously, he served in the Army National Guard and later helped launch KCSourceLink, a small-business support organization that links thousands of entrepreneurs with resources to start, grow and accelerate their businesses.
Hegle has a bachelor’s in business administration and an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
About the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up our nation's central bank. We work in the public’s interest by supporting economic and financial stability. The Kansas City Fed’s territory includes Colorado, Kansas, western Missouri, Nebraska, northern New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Our headquarters is in Kansas City, with branch offices in Denver, Omaha and Oklahoma City.
The Kansas City Fed Community Development Department promotes economic development and public understanding that leads to progress for lower-income individuals and communities. Our focus areas include community development investments, digital inclusion, small business / entrepreneurism, and workforce development.