Today’s issue of The Tennessean featured an article by opinion columnist LeBron Hill noting that voters under 35 made up only 9% of early voting for the most recent Nashville mayoral election. To find out what may be keeping more millennials ages 23-38 from voting locally, Hill talked with Charlane Oliver (Class 59), founder of The Equity Alliance, a Nashville-based grassroots non-profit advocacy group that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process. Oliver thinks the city is lacking in voter education and advertisement where millennials are on social media. For ones who are aware, they find it unappealing and aggressive and therefore, may feel incompetent where there are already so many loud voices. Hill reminds young professionals that “voting is much more than just a civic duty. It is taking ownership of your community. Looking ahead in years to come, issues such as education and housing will be in our hands to handle.” The runoff election for Mayor, four Metropolitan Council At Large and eight District seats in Davidson County is on September 12, with early voting August 23-September 7. Hill encourages millennials that “The only way we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future is to vote.”
Harry Allen (Class 62) is the featured “Boss” in this week’s Nashville Business Journal. Harry, co-founder and chief relationship manager at Studio Bank, is a Nashville native and one of the business community’s most recognizable young leaders, especially for his philanthropic efforts. In addition to being president of the Rotary Club of Nashville, he’s an advocate and graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools. He says, “Everything that the community feels is great about Harry Allen is the result of public education…I’ve just had phenomenal experiences, and I know that public education is the most important promise we make for our future.” The Belmont University graduate with both a BBA and MBA, speaks German, which he first learned in seventh grade at Meigs and was able to use it when he studied abroad in Germany for two semesters. If you have a digital subscription to NBJ, you can read the entire article, including what is the most exciting part of his day. (Hint: it definitely involves his family).
Angela Courtney will be starting her nonprofit board leadership training in the YLC/Williamson Chamber Class 2019 this September so we were excited to see her being featured in this week’s “40 Under 40” in the Nashville Business Journal. She is senior director of strategy and performance for Ankura Consulting Group and earned an economics and government degree from the College of William and Mary. She says she “love(s) to connect with people and have been told that building relationships and getting people to share their stories is one of (her) hidden talents.” YLC looks forward to Angela connecting with her new classmates this fall! If you are a NBJ digital subscriber, you can find out why she’s been unable to disconnect for a full day each week lately. (Hint: you can never have too many college degrees!) Welcome to YLC/Williamson Chamber Class 2019, Angela!
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for Thursday’s Network! Nashville, now is the time! Our friends at Nashville Junior Chamber are teaming up with YLC, Junior League of Nashville, Network Under 40 and Music City Young Professionals to connect, collaborate, and expand our professional and personal network in a non-business like environment. Grab a drink and expand your network at the biggest young professional networking event in Nashville from 6pm-8pm at Sambuca, 601 12th Avenue South. Tickets are $15 for members only and includes 1 drink ticket and appetizers. There are only 150 tickets available so plan ahead and buy today as they will sell out fast! Use access code NETWORKNASH to purchase tickets here. Once you enter the access code, you will see ticket options for each organization. Please select Young Leaders Council if you are a YLC alumnus, upcoming class participant or read about this event through our socials. Hope to see you there!
On August 1, the 13th Annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELAs), presented by Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville, recognized the 14 industry winners from the 70 finalists announced bacck in May. A committee comprising industry experts, community leaders and past NELA recipients within each industry selected finalists from a pool of more than 900 nominees based on their professional achievements, demonstrated leadership and community impact. Thirteen of the finalists were YLC alumni with two being named winners last night. Congratulations to David Wells (Class 61) with Woodmont Investment Counsel in the Financial Services category and Ashley Northington (Class 62) with DENOR Brands + Public Relations in the Government and Public Affairs category. Read more about David and Ashley here.
Nashville Business Journal recently announced its 2019 Power Leaders of Finance. Nominations were accepted from the public and then an independent panel of judges helped determine who you need to know in Nashville’s finance scene, whether you’re looking for help in accounting, banking, financial planning or you need to go straight to the C-suite. Congratulations to the YLC alumni who made this year’s list: Harry Allen (Class 62), Studio Bank; Russell Bates (Class 18), Deloitte; Tim Bewley (Class 53), Pinnacle Financial Advisors; Lee Blank_w (Class 8), Regions Bank; John Crosslin (Class 56), Crosslin PLLC; Justin Crosslin (Class 53), Crosslin PLLC; Aaron Dorn (Class 50), Studio Bank; Brenton D. Harrison (Class 56), Henderson Financial Group Inc.; and Mickey McKay (Class 3), Fifth Third Bank. All the winners will be featured in the Aug. 30 print issue.
