had planned to retire from her role

Kentucky Educational Television’s executive director and CEO is retiring at the end of the year after leading the statewide public television network for nearly 17 years. 

KET CEO and executive director Shae Hopkins served in various management positions over her four decades at the network including as the Deputy Director of Programming, Production and Education, according to a press release. Under her leadership, the number of users of KET’s programs and services has grown to over 2 million a week, and the network has won dozens of national and regional awards, the release said.

In a statement, Hopkins cited the mentorship of KET founder Len Press and was grateful “to engage in such meaningful service with such an extraordinary organization all these years.” 

“It has been an honor to work with and learn from dedicated professionals, and to engage with viewers, generous supporters, committed board members and passionate volunteers, all the while making dear friendships along the way.” Hopkins said. “It has been an immense privilege to serve everyone who values and relies on KET every day.”

The Kentucky Authority for Educational Television, the governing body that oversees KET, is forming a search committee consisting of former chairs of the authority to find Hopkins’ replacement. The network’s release said the search committee is “focused on finding the best person to lead the statewide network, beginning with a search for candidates who have extensive public broadcasting experience at KET.” 

Authority chair Dan Griffith said he appreciates Hopkins for staying in her position while the search committee finds a new leader.

“We know the next leader will be inheriting an opportunity to build on KET’s significant organizational momentum and guide the future of this trusted, service-oriented educational institution,” Griffith said in a statement. 

In 2025, Hopkins received the Daniel Miller Station Leadership Award from PBS as recognition for her decades of service to KET.