YLC News Archives - 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

FranklinIs: Young Leaders Council Announces Fall 2024 Graduates

Dec 9, 2024 | All Alumni, Nashville Alumni, News, YLC News

As published by FranklinIs.com

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 as The Frist Foundation, HCA Healthcare Foundation, Truist Foundation, and The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, Turner Construction Foundation, and The 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.

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

Alumni Spotlight (Dr. Kyla Stripling and The Well Coffeehouse)

Mar 1, 2024 | All Alumni, YLC News

Dr. Kyla Stripling, Ed.D., is the Senior Director of Strategy and Transformation for Amsurg and a graduate of the YLC 2023 Junior League of Nashville Cohort. Kyla is currently serving her YLC board internship with The Well Coffeehouse, an organization committed to Turning Coffee Into Water and focused on finding sustainable solutions to poverty. The Well Coffeehouse turns profits into hope by using its revenue to make a difference in local and global communities.

We recently caught up with Kyla, who also serves as a board member for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council, to learn more about her experience as a board internship work for The Well Coffeehouse and how it differs from the work of the for-profit board she supports.

In what ways has your YLC training helped prepare you for success as a nonprofit board member?

YLC helped hone my leadership abilities, deepen my understanding of nonprofit operations, and enhanced my community engagement skills. Through YLC, I learned valuable project and volunteer management techniques and how to foster effective teamwork and collaboration. The training emphasized adaptability, problem-solving, and reinforced a strong commitment to ethics and social responsibility as a board member. These skills are critical for navigating the challenges of nonprofit governance and help to ensure that I effectively contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission.

You also serve as a for-profit board member for the DEI Advisory Council. How has that experience been different or similar to your experience as a nonprofit board member for The Well Coffeehouse?

Serving on a mission-driven nonprofit board differs from a for-profit company’s DEI board mainly in focus and objectives. Nonprofit boards are dedicated to advancing specific social, environmental, or humanitarian goals, measuring success by their impact and community service. In contrast, DEI boards within for-profit entities balance promoting inclusivity and equity with achieving business goals, aiming to enhance performance through diversity. Thus, the nonprofit board experience centers on mission fulfillment, while DEI board service intertwines social justice with business outcomes.

How can other YLC alumni support the mission of The Well Coffeehouse?

I encourage YLC alumni to support The Well Coffeehouse by following the organization through social media, patronizing one of its five Nashville area locations, shopping in the online store, or donating to support an upcoming water project.

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.