Scott Farr, Author at Young Leaders Council

Leadership Nashville unveils 49th class

Jun 23, 2025 | YLC News

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

Make 2025 Your Year: Strategies to Strengthen Your Brand and Relationships

Feb 3, 2025 | News

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your personal and professional growth, set ambitious goals, and take actionable steps toward advancing your career. For executives and leaders, building a strong personal brand and cultivating meaningful relationships are essential for driving impact. Whether you’re a recent graduate of YLC or a seasoned alum, 2025 presents an opportunity to elevate your leadership and expand your influence.

Strengthen Your Personal Brand

Your personal brand is your professional reputation and the foundation for inspiring trust, attracting opportunities, and standing out as a leader. Start by refining your online presence: update your LinkedIn profile and professional bio to include milestones like YLC involvement, board affiliations, and nonprofit work. These details highlight your leadership journey and signal your commitment to growth and community impact.

Beyond refining your profile, consider how you share your story. Reflect on key lessons from your leadership journey and use them to spark conversations. Posting insights on leadership, community engagement, or industry trends positions you as a thought leader and strengthens your connection with your audience. Celebrate milestones along the way—whether joining a board, starting a new initiative, or mentoring others—and share these accomplishments. By tagging organizations and colleagues, you amplify your reach while showcasing your active engagement in leadership and collaboration.

Strong personal brands help leaders attract top talent, build partnerships, and drive meaningful change.

Cultivate Meaningful Relationships

Success as a leader isn’t just about what you know; it’s also about who you know. Building a strong professional network expands your access to ideas, opportunities, and support while keeping you connected to key industry trends. Take intentional steps to grow your relationships. Use LinkedIn to engage with peers, board members, and colleagues by commenting on their updates and sharing your own insights. Strengthen connections by scheduling one-on-one conversations with key stakeholders or mentors to explore opportunities for collaboration or guidance.

Beyond individual connections, foster community by attending YLC alumni events, participating in professional forums, or organizing gatherings. These spaces encourage collaboration and shared growth.

Your leadership roles, especially in nonprofit or community-focused spaces, offer unique opportunities to engage with influential stakeholders. Identify mentors or advocates within these roles who can guide your leadership journey and help you align your goals with broader organizational missions.

Take the Next Step

As YLC’s trusted PR and marketing partner, we are proud to support Nashville’s top leaders and companies. Whether you’re looking to refine your personal brand or create greater awareness for your organization, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to take the first step toward your most impactful year yet.

Julia Bonner is the president of Pierce Public Relations and serves as board chair of Young Leaders Council.

Young Leaders Council Graduates 125 Members

Jun 3, 2024 | YLC News

Young Leaders Council, the only nonprofit in Middle Tennessee committed to broadening and strengthening Nashville’s volunteer leadership base, has completed training for 125 young professionals as part of the 2024 Spring Cohort, which is composed of the Nashville Spring 2024, Junior League of Nashville and the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University classes.

Participants will now transition into board internships and serve as nonvoting members of local nonprofit boards and immediately put their newfound knowledge and skills to use.

The YLC mission is to train diverse, committed individuals to effectively participate on the boards of nonprofit organizations and make a difference in the community by replenishing the volunteer leadership base. Founded in 1985, Young Leaders Council has more than 3,500 alumni who have made a lasting impact through board service for local nonprofit organizations.

Click here to view the full article

Congratulations Fall 2023 Graduates!

Dec 5, 2023 | YLC News

Fall 2023 Graduates - Fifth Third Team with Kevin

Congratulations to the graduates of the YLC fall 2023 Nashville and Williamson County Cohorts! Eighty-six talented young professionals participated in YLC’s fall training program, where they convened over the course of 11-weeks to advance their knowledge of topics deemed essential for successful nonprofit board leaders. The fall 2023 semester was the first fully in-person training season since spring 2020, and offered participants the opportunity to engage weekly with other likeminded individuals looking to elevate their capacity to effectively serve.

As participants prepare to transition into their yearlong board internships, YLC is excited to witness another generation of phenomenal young leaders, poised to support the growth and success of our local nonprofit community. To view a full listing of the fall 2023 graduates, please click on the appropriate roster below:

YLC Hosts 2023 Leadership Luncheon

Dec 5, 2023 | YLC News

2023 Leadership Luncheon Belmont team with Jill Robinson

2023 Leadership Luncheon - Bunny with Jacob

2023 Leadership Luncheon - Butch, Jill, Kim and Kevin

2023 Leadership Luncheon broad panel shot with audience

2023 Leadership Luncheon - Santi, Diane and Josh

2023 Leadership Luncheon - Julia, Kim, Bunny and Tiff

2023 Leadership Luncheon - Jill, Syndey and Kim

On November 9^th, Young Leaders Council hosted its annual Leadership Luncheon fundraising event, featuring a dynamic keynote conversation with Butch Spyridon (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp) and Kevin Lavender (Fifth Third Bank). The conversation was moderated by YLC alumna and Assistant Dean of External Relations & Strategic Partnerships for the Jack C. Massey College of Business, Jill Robinson. The discussion focused on the importance of building community connections through volunteer leadership.

Over 300 guests registered to attend the Leadership Luncheon, which serves as YLC’s largest fundraising event of the year. During the event, YLC celebrated the lasting legacy of former Executive Director, Diane L. Hayes by renaming the Legacy of Leadership Award in her honor. YLC also announced Sydney Ball (NFP) as the 2023 Young Leader of the Year and recognized Jill Robinson as the Diane L. Hayes Legacy of Leadership Award recipient.

The Leadership Luncheon was presented by Amazon and Tractor Supply Company and received generous sponsorship support from the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University, Nashville Electric Service, Deloitte, LBMC, HCA Healthcare / TriStar Health, PwC, and Fifth Third Bank.