Congratulations Fall 2022 Graduates!

Congratulations Fall 2022 Graduates!

Dec 21, 2022 | YLC News

Nashville Class 79

Congratulations to the graduates of the Young Leaders Council fall 2022 Nashville Class 79 and Williamson County Cohorts! Seventy-nine dynamic individuals participated in YLC’s fall training program, where they developed the knowledge and skills deemed crucial in the nonprofit leadership environment. Participants engaged with local nonprofit organizations and were able to build a network of future community leaders seeking to make a direct impact in Middle Tennessee. As participants are preparing to transition into their yearlong board internship, YLC is excited to watch them support the work of our nonprofit partners and continue the legacy of service and leadership for our great community.

To view a full listing of the 2022 fall participants, please click on the appropriate button below: 

Williamson Class 2022 
Nashville Class 79 Roster
Williamson Class 2022 Roster

Fall Impact Series 2022

Oct 5, 2022 | YLC News

Credit Roland’s Photography

YLC hosted its first Fall Impact Series Half-Day Conference on Thursday, September 29th at the Family & Children’s Service – Honey Alexander Center. The Fall Impact Series was sponsored by Amazon and offered attendees an opportunity to network and hear unique perspectives on pressing topics related to nonprofit board leadership from recognized community leaders.

Photos by Roland’s Photography

The Conference featured two discussion tracks, including a conversation with highly accomplished nonprofit board and executive leaders focused on “Driving Mission and Board Success”. Beth Torres, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee; Perri duGard Owens, Board Chair for the Nashville Children’s Theatre and President & CEO of duGard Communications; and Cullen Douglass, Board Chair for Family & Children’s Service and Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, served as panelist for session one. Sarah Rochford Benfield, YLC Board Chair and Business Analyst Executive Support for HCA Healthcare, served as moderator.

Photos by Roland’s Photography

Session two focused on identifying “Strategies to Build and Maintain an Equitable and Inclusive Leadership Environment.” The conversation featured perspectives from notable education and philanthropic leaders such as Dr. Maya Bugg, CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center; Kaki Friskics-Warren, Executive Director of the Maddox Fund; and Samuel Jackson, VP of Programs & Grants for The Healing Trust. Dr. Candace Warner, Founder & CEO of people3, Inc. served as moderator.

Photos by Roland’s Photography

YLC is grateful for the generosity support provided by Amazon and for the thoughtful discussion and suggestions shared by our panelists. 

Would you like to share your feedback for future Impact Series topics? We would love to hear from you! Please email your suggestions to Kim James at kim@youngleaderscouncil.org.

YLC Welcomes Fall 2022 Cohorts

Oct 5, 2022 | All Alumni, News, YLC News

Nashville Class 79 | Photos by Roland’s Photography

Young Leaders Council is thrilled to welcome 79 diverse professionals for the fall 2022 training program. This dynamic group of individuals represent a broad range of business, nonprofit, education, and philanthropic organizations. This semester, training is facilitated through the Nashville Class 79 and Williamson County cohorts. For a total of 11 weeks, participants will convene weekly to expand their knowledge of topics such as nonprofit financials, legal responsibilities of a board, and effective meetings and communications to name a few.

YLC’s fall training began on September 7 with an Opening Session sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and hosted at the company’s beautiful Brentwood, Tennessee location. Derek Young, President and CEO of Young Motivation Group provided a keynote address to inspire and motivate the fall participants as they begin this important journey and develop the skills and knowledge to become successful nonprofit board leaders. 

Williamson Class 2022 | Photos by Roland’s Photography

YLC is grateful for the generous contribution from Tractor Supply Company and for the support from our Annual Presenting Sponsors, Asurion and Amazon. To view a full listing of the 2022 fall participants, please click on links to the respective cohorts below:

 Applications for the spring 2023 program will open on October 15 and will close on February 1. Early application is encouraged. For more information on the YLC program, please visit our website.

Kim James & friends at Tractor Supply | Photos by Roland’s Photography
Derek Young | Photos by Roland’s Photography

Summer Alumni Spotlight

Jul 29, 2022 | All Alumni, YLC News

“Through YLC, I gained friendships, wisdom, and confidence to enter into the non-profit space with a foundational knowledge of how nonprofit boards actually work. It was great to have a new instructor provide training on a variety of content each week. I believe that anyone interested in serving a higher purpose and giving back in a meaningful way should check out the YLC program. Serving on a nonprofit board can seem overwhelming, but with training from YLC, I gained a lot of clarity on just what to expect and how to be great as I begin my new journey as a nonprofit board member.”

Shane Lantigua
Financial Advisor
Northwestern Mutual

 

Lantigua Shane
Lantigua Shane

“I loved engaging with my cohort members! YLC’s training program provides an incredible opportunity to get to know other young professionals who are just as serious about their career and giving back as I am. It was so refreshing to connect with other business professionals and identify opportunities to support each other. Since completing the program only a few months ago, I’ve already had the opportunity to do business with two members of my cohort! Through the YLC program, I gained useful soft and hard skills that I continue to use in the workplace and in other professional settings.”

Bradley Montesi
Owner / Content Producer
Unsportsmanlike Content

Lux QueenieYLC helped me gain a newfound energy that I didn’t realize I was missing. The passion from each instructor solidified just why I joined YLC in the first place – to give back to the communities around me and to better support those in need. I learned how to leverage my current skills and relationships to help support the community and nonprofit organizations that are working to make them better.

The internship placement portion of the program has also been very beneficial for me. As a YLC board intern, I am able to engage with other board members to listen and learn how they make decisions that ultimately impact the organization overall. Another benefit from participating in YLC is learning about other non-profits that I didn’t know existed! I am so grateful for the relationships I have built with my fellow cohort members and for my newfound energy to help make an impact in my community.

Queenie Lux
Manager, Clinical Informatics Operations
HCA Healthcare

Joslyn McGaughy

“I moved to the Nashville area in early 2020 and, due to the pandemic, was not able to fully connect with other professionals or with my new community, as I had hoped.  YLC provided me with the opportunity to learn more about Nashville and meet other young professionals who share a vested interest in serving the community.  I had no idea what to truly expect from YLC, but every session was amazing and helped prepare me to successfully serve on a nonprofit board.  YLC provided me with a skill set and knowledge of the nonprofit sector that I otherwise would not have been afforded while also building connections so that I can have a seat at the leadership table. I was also able to develop a strong knowledge base and build a foundation to better support the nonprofit organization I am working to establish. YLC is truly life and career changing. I would encourage anyone trying to gain a greater sense of purpose through non-profit work, to consider YLC.“

Joslyn McGaughy
Owner / Area Developer
i9 Sports Nashville North

 

“I enjoyed YLC’s “MBA-style” learning environment where a group of professionals from various backgrounds come together to learn how to collaborate and give back to the community. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge and experience to support my desire to serve as a board leader in the nonprofit community, I also made connections with the other members of my cohort and learned more about the wonderful work happening at local organizations. YLC is the perfect segue for young professionals trying to find their way into the Nashville nonprofit leadership space. The long-term benefits of YLC begin in the classroom and continue with your ability to give back and make an impact for the community.“

Ben Maslyn, CFA
Investment Manager
Truist Wealth

 

Lantigua Shane
chris smith

“I enjoyed meeting and networking with all of my YLC cohort members. It was inspiring to see so many remarkable people who are looking to have a positive impact within the greater Nashville area. The instructors were engaging and insightful. They are also bonafide stars within the community who made the material come to life with interactive activities and real-life examples.

Besides a greater understanding of how nonprofit boards function and the overall impact these organizations have had on Middle Tennessee, I gained a sense of community. It became abundantly clear that the YLC network of alumni and friends is vast. From many of the instructors being alumni to the hundreds of fellow participants in the spring cohorts, the amount of reach that YLC has within our community is astounding. As a new graduate, I am beyond humbled to be a small part of this network of leaders.“

Chris Smith
Sr. Manager, Marketing Analytics
Asurion

 

YLC Hosts Annual Appreciation Luncheon

YLC Hosts Annual Appreciation Luncheon

Jun 30, 2022 | YLC News

On Tuesday, June 21, Young Leaders Council hosted its annual Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate and show gratitude for the local nonprofit community. The Nashville nonprofit community has played a vital role in helping YLC provide valuable training and board internship experiences for program graduates over the years. The Appreciation Luncheon was generously sponsored by AllianceBernstein and provides a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to connect and network with colleagues.

CEO of Thistle Farms, Hal Cato (Nashville Class 17) shared his experience as both a YLC alumnus and longstanding leader in the Nashville nonprofit community. Recent program graduates, Jennifer Vandercook (Junior League 2021) and Nikki Walker (Nashville Class 77) also shared remarks highlighting the value of YLC’s partnerships with other nonprofit organizations in providing an immersive and hands-on experience for program participants.

More than 145 program graduates were placed as YLC board interns with local nonprofit organizations in 2021, providing a valuable opportunity to immediately put their newly acquired skills and knowledge to use while making a lasting impact on the organizations they support. YLC is truly grateful for the support shown by the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community and truly thankful for partners like AllianceBernstein that help sustain our efforts to build meaningful connections and advance our mission.

Spotlight on Spring 2022 Graduates

Spotlight on Spring 2022 Graduates

Jun 30, 2022 | All Alumni, Junior League Alumni, Nashville Alumni, YLC News

Mallory Yoder – Nashville Class 78
Lead Manager, Business Engagement Strategies
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

I loved the opportunity to meet new people in different industries through the YLC program. I also enjoyed learning more about the nonprofit organizations that are helping make a difference in the communities we call home! 

YLC taught me the important leadership role board members serve for nonprofit organizations – and more importantly how board members can lead with passion and servant hearts to selflessly support organizations and communities. The program is so engaging and inspiring, and everything I learned through YLC can also be applied in your professional capacity.

Jackson Zeitlin – Belmont-Massey / Nashville Class 78
Affiliate Broker
Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty

Through the YLC program, I gained a foundational knowledge of how I can apply my skills and expertise to organizations in a way that will truly benefit them and support their mission. I now feel that I can provide professional value and leadership support beyond the basics of volunteering

I also really enjoyed interacting with such a broad spectrum of young professionals who were interested in giving back to the Nashville nonprofit community. As a community that affords us so many opportunities, it was a great reminder that there are plenty of people that desire to go the extra mile for the causes they care about. Everything I learned in the YLC program has value that extends into other facets of my life.

Brittainy Hall – Nashville Class 78
Senior Consultant
Kotter Inc.

There were many aspects of the YLC program that I enjoyed, but the one thing that stood out the most was the opportunity to engage and learn from a diverse group of thought leaders. Every week I left feeling inspired and more knowledgeable than I did before I started the session. There aren’t many leadership development programs where you have the opportunity to learn from such a unique group of subject matter experts and community leaders.

I also gained a new level of confidence and a growing network of support through YLC. I started the program knowing virtually nothing about what it meant or what it took to be an impactful nonprofit board member. Over the years, I have continuously searched for a way to give back to the community that also helped me develop professionally, and YLC helped me achieve that goal. The wisdom, knowledge, and relationships that I have been able to cultivate during my YLC journey have been unmatched. I am super grateful that I took my dear friend’s advice and applied. This experience, I believe, has changed the trajectory of my career and life for the better. 

Joseph Underwood – Nashville Class 78
Senior Supply Chain Analyst
Tractor Supply Company

The time spent learning and hearing from the other participants of the cohort was easily the most enjoyable part of the program. Listening to the ideas that they have and understanding their backgrounds on how they came to think or feel that way gave me new perspectives on a variety of topics. I would encourage anyone going through the program to come in with an open mind and the desire to learn not just from the great teachers, but also from your fellow cohort members.

I think the investment in training for the program is indispensable. Our cohort was able to learn from industry and non-profit leaders with years of experience. The ability to hear from them and leverage their experience as well as collaborate with my classmates about their own experiences gave me a wealth of knowledge about the nonprofit space and the responsibility that their board members carry. I would recommend this program to anyone who is wanting to not only learn and develop but more importantly wanting to give back to their communities now and moving forward. You are able to build relationships with the other members of the cohort, spend time learning from so many industry titans, and make a difference in the community you live in. The commitment of time and resources will pay off exponentially.