Annual event celebrates 40 years of training Nashville’s next generation of nonprofit board leaders
Nashville, Tenn. – December 12, 2025 – Young Leaders Council (YLC), Middle Tennessee’s premier nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the region’s volunteer leadership base, proudly recognized two distinguished community leaders at its 2025 Leadership Luncheon on November 19.
Joanne Pulles, vice president of community engagement at HCA Healthcare, received the 2025 Diane L. Hayes Legacy of Leadership Award, honoring her extraordinary contributions to the Middle Tennessee community and her longstanding commitment to service and nonprofit leadership.
Brittany Irby, senior director of civic and community engagement for the Nashville Mayor’s Office, was named the 2025 Young Leader of the Year, recognizing her exceptional civic leadership, dedication to public service and impact on Nashville’s continued growth and inclusivity.
“Celebrating 40 years of Young Leaders Council means showcasing the exceptional people who have dedicated their lives to making our community better,” said Kim James, executive director of YLC. “Joanne and Brittany reflect the very best of Nashville’s spirit and we’re proud to watch them carry the mission forward.”
The awards were presented before an audience of more than 300 YLC alumni, nonprofit partners, corporate sponsors and community leaders gathered at The Westin Nashville. The luncheon also featured a keynote address from Matt Cahill, president of Parking Management Company and a U.S. military veteran with more than 30 years of executive leadership experience. Cahill delivered an inspiring message centered on resilience, compassion and purpose.
This year’s luncheon also marked a significant milestone: YLC’s 40th anniversary. Since its founding, YLC has equipped more than 3,600 young professionals with the leadership skills, mentorship and nonprofit board training needed to replenish Middle Tennessee’s volunteer leadership base. The annual luncheon serves as a key fundraising initiative for the YLC program, which offers multiple leadership cohorts each year across Middle Tennessee.
About Young Leaders Council
YLC was founded in 1985 by the Council of Community Services, in partnership with the Frist Foundation (formerly the HCA Foundation) and the United Way. More than 175 individuals complete the YLC training annually through the Nashville Spring; Junior League of Nashville; Massey College of Business at Belmont University; Nashville Fall; and Williamson County Cohorts. For more information, please visit www.youngleaderscouncil.org.
68 young professionals complete YLC’s fall training program as organization celebrates 40 years
Brentwood, Tenn. – November 24, 2025 – Young Leaders Council (YLC), the only nonprofit in Middle Tennessee committed to broadening and strengthening Nashville’s volunteer leadership base, today announced that 68 young professionals from the Nashville and Williamson County Fall 2025 Cohorts have completed the organization’s nonprofit board skills training program.
This diverse group of emerging leaders are now preparing to serve local nonprofits in meaningful leadership roles. Facilitated by industry experts, the program equips participants with a foundation in critical board skills and leadership.
Graduates completed the 11-week training in November and are now transitioning into year-long internships as non-voting board members across area nonprofit organizations. Through these placements, participants will apply their skills and energy immediately, supporting YLC’s mission to strengthen Nashville’s nonprofit sector by training diverse, committed individuals to effectively serve on boards.
“For forty years, YLC has prepared young professionals with the skills, insight and community focus required to make a meaningful difference in the nonprofit sector. Celebrating this year’s graduates during our 40th anniversary highlights the lasting impact of dedicated and values-driven leadership,” said Kim James, Executive Director of YLC. “These emerging leaders represent the future of Nashville’s nonprofit landscape. They are ready to step in, lead boldly and strengthen our community.”
A complete list of Fall 2025 graduates can be found here.
About Young Leaders Council
YLC was founded in 1985 by the Council of Community Services, in partnership with the Frist Foundation (formerly the HCA Foundation) and the United Way. More than 200 individuals complete the YLC training annually through the Nashville Spring; Junior League of Nashville; Massey College of Business at Belmont University; Nashville Fall; and Williamson County Cohorts. For more information, please visit www.youngleaderscouncil.org.
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.
88 young professionals complete YLC’s fall training program and prepare to serve local nonprofits
Brentwood, Tenn. – December 3, 2024 – Young Leaders Council (YLC), the only nonprofit in Middle Tennessee committed to broadening and strengthening Nashville’s volunteer leadership base, today announced that 88 young professionals from the Nashville and Williamson County Fall 2024 Cohorts have completed the organization’s nonprofit board skills training program.
After kicking off in September with a celebratory opening session and keynote addresses from Derek Young of Young Motivation Group as well as Julia Bonner-Zade and Bri Carlesimo of Pierce Public Relations, this diverse group of emerging professionals completed YLC’s comprehensive nonprofit board training program, equipping them to serve local organizations in meaningful leadership roles. YLC training is facilitated by industry experts and provides a foundational understanding of topics deemed critical for effective nonprofit board leadership.
Participants completed the program in November and are now set to begin internships as non-voting board members for various nonprofits across Middle Tennessee. Through these placements, graduates will apply their new knowledge to make immediate contributions to dynamic organizations, supporting YLC’s mission of strengthening Nashville’s nonprofit sector by training 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.
Nashville/Williamson County Cohort
“It’s a privilege to witness the growth and connections made by each of our program participants throughout the semester,” said Kim James, Executive Director of YLC. “Each one brings a remarkable passion for making a difference and deepening their understanding of board governance. We’re eager to see how they will shape our community and leave a lasting impact on the nonprofit landscape in Middle Tennessee.”
Nashville Cohort
A complete list of Fall 2024 graduates can be found below:
For over 39 years, YLC has provided intensive, high-quality board leadership training, placing over 3,500 alumni who have made a tangible impact through board service for local nonprofit organizations. Through partnerships with local nonprofit partners, each YLC participant is uniquely challenged throughout the semester to identify their passions and connect with an organization whose purpose and work aligns with that passion to further improve our community. YLC is proud to have the support of philanthropic partners such asThe Frist Foundation,HCA Healthcare Foundation,Truist Foundation, andThe Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation,The Memorial Foundation, Turner Construction Foundation, andThe Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Young Leaders Council is also grateful for the generosity of its 2024 Annual Presenting Sponsors, Amazon, Tractor Supply Company, Parking Management Company, and Asurion.
New platform transforms how nonprofit organizations source board members, board interns and volunteers
Brentwood, Tenn. – August 23, 2024 – Young Leaders Council (YLC), the premier nonprofit in Middle Tennessee committed to broadening and strengthening the volunteer leadership base in Williamson County and beyond, today announced the launch of its innovative Board Connect platform. This first-of-its-kind platform in Middle Tennessee connects YLC graduates who’ve received 11 weeks of nonprofit board skills training with nonprofit organizations across the region seeking qualified board members, board interns and volunteers.
Board Connect employs advanced matching technology to align the profiles of individuals and nonprofits based on shared interests and needs. Nonprofit organizations can create profiles on the platform to list available board and volunteer positions. YLC graduates can then easily search for and identify opportunities that match their experience and expertise, facilitating direct connections with organizations in need of their skills.
“Board Connect is a significant step forward in advancing our mission to cultivate the next generation of nonprofit leaders,” said Kim James, Executive Director of YLC. “By facilitating these vital connections, we are simplifying the ways nonprofits source qualified board members and volunteers. We are also providing our program graduates direct access to opportunities that fit their skills, experience and passions while supporting their long-term engagement as leaders in the community. It’s a win-win.”
Currently, the platform is exclusively available to 2024 YLC program graduates, with plans to extend access to all YLC alumni in early 2025. As of mid-August, 61% of YLC ’s spring graduates have been matched or are in the process of being matched for a board position through Board Connect.
The project was made possible by a technology grant from the Frist Foundation.
Young Leaders Council hosted its 2022 Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, November 17th at the Music City Center, welcoming over 300 alumni, corporate partners, and community leaders. The Luncheon featured an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation moderated by Erika Glover (Fox17 News) with Marcus Whitney(Jumpstart Nova), Courtney Ross (Amazon), and Tiffany Kerns (CMA Foundation) on leadership and innovation.
The 2022 recipient of the Young Leader of the Year Award, Gary Gaston, was announced during the event as well as YLC’s Legacy of Leadership Award Winner, Hal Cato. Both Gary and Hal are YLC alumni and highly accomplished leaders who have made an indelible contribution to the growth and prosperity of the Nashville nonprofit community.
YLC is truly grateful for everyone that joined us for the Leadership Luncheon and for your continued investment in its mission and programming over the years.
