Originally posted by Meg Wrather on Nashville Business Journal
Leadership Nashville has announced its 49th class.
The class of 2025-2026 includes real estate executives, nonprofit CEOs and the leader of a professional sports team, to name a few.
The nine-month independent executive program, which begins in September,aims to strengthen Nashville by connecting diverse leaders and equipping themto tackle critical issues through a three-dimensional view of the city.
This year’s class was chosen from more than 250 applicants, according to anews release. Turner Nashe chaired the selection committee.
“Leadership Nashville was founded in 1976 as an executive level organizationconnecting top leaders rather than a leadership training program,” ExecutiveDirector Evette White said in the release. “It provides a ‘master’s level backstagepass’ to the city and becomes a bridge, connecting people and the issuesfacing Nashville.”
Leadership Nashville’s 49th class:
Will Acuff, co-Founder, Corner to Corner
Eddie Alford, director of associate engagement, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Andrew Batey, founder & co-CEO, Beatdapp Software Inc.
Rickey Bearden, commander, Metro Nashville Police Department
Jennifer Sarah (JS) Bolton, senior director of manufacturing, Nissan NorthAmerica; pres-elect, Junior League of Nashville
Herbert Brown, community & citizenship director, Turner Construction Co.
Crystal Churchwell Evans, vice president of development & alumni affairs,Fisk University
Olivia Cloud, managing editor, R.H. Boyd
Eric Cook, director, So+Co Community Initiatives
Sara Correa, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone West
Justin Crosslin, co-CEO, Crosslin
William Daughtrey, head of school, Montgomery Bell Academy
Alfred Degrafinreid, president & CEO, Leadership Tennessee
Ben Farrer; managing director, Nashville market leader; The Fallon Co.
Evan Holladay, founder & CEO, Holladay Ventures
Julie Honey, dean of Nursing, Belmont University
Brittany Irby, senior director of civic & community engagement, Office ofMayor Freddie O’Connell
Sam Jackson, president & CEO, The Healing Trust
Kim James, executive director, Young Leaders Council
Cindy Kent, managing partner, Reinaume Advisory Services
Tiffany Kerns, SVP industry relations & executive director of CMAFoundation, CMA
William Liles, family wealth advisor, Baird
Ed Magee, chief operating officer, Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine
Leah Melber, president & CEO, Adventure Science Center
Erica Mitchell, president & CEO, United Way of Greater Nashville
Sareda Nur, chief medical officer, TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
Lindsey Paola, chief business officer, Nashville Soccer Club
Sally Parker, associate vice chancellor of government & community relations,Vanderbilt University
Lisa Purcell, EVP of external affairs, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Ben Raybin, partner, Raybin & Weissman PC
Katie Richards, president & CEO, Siloam Health
Drew Rodgers, senior vice president, First Horizon Bank
Eva Angelina Romero, broker & owner, Century 21 Capital Properties
Maria Sheffield, president, Caterpillar Financial Insurance Services
Alisha Shoates James, senior vice president, Aventiv Technologies
Justin Simpson, SVP & corporate controller, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Luke Smiley, CEO & co-Founder, Radish Hospitality
Brian Taylor, owner & broker, Progent Commercial
Tara Tenorio, community development regional manager, Meta
Virginia Tenpenny, chief impact officer, NationSwell
Masami Tyson, board chair, Japan America Society of Tennessee
Heather Vincent, Nashville market executive, Bank of America
Robert Wallace, chief of staff, Metro Nashville Public Schools
DarKenya Waller, executive director, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennesseeand the Cumberlands
Victor Wynn, executive pastor & minister of worship, The Temple Church
Tyler Yarbro, managing partner, Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella PC