leadership luncheon graphic 2023

2023 Leadership Luncheon

Young Leaders Council invites you to attend the 2023 Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, November 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Music City Center, The Leadership Luncheon is YLC’s annual fundraising event and a time to gather and hear unique perspectives from successful business and philanthropic leaders.

This year, YLC is proud to welcome Butch Spyridon and Kevin Lavender for a keynote conversation on the importance of building community through leadership. Butch Spyridon recently retired after serving for 32 years as the CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., and Kevin Lavender is the executive vice president and head of commercial banking for Fifth Third Bank. Both Butch and Kevin have undeniably made a lasting impact on the Nashville community, and we look forward to what is sure to be a dynamic conversation.

For more information, please contact YLC Executive Director, Kim James, at kim@youngleaderscouncil.org or call (615) 386-0060.

November 9, 2023
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Music City Center

2023 Sponsorship

By partnering with YLC as a sponsor for the 2023 Leadership Luncheon, your company will enjoy unprecedented access to over 300 YLC alumni, corporate partners, and community leaders representing diverse professional backgrounds. Your sponsorship support is critical to the success of this event and will ensure YLC’s ability to accomplish its mission and train the next generation of nonprofit board leaders.

Please reach out to Kim James, YLC Executive Director, at kim@youngleaderscouncil.org for more information, or call (615) 386-0060.

Previous Young Leaders of The Year Award Recipients

2022, Gary Gaston
2021, Maria Amado
2020, Allison Reed
2019, Charlane Oliver
2018, Ron Snitker
2017, Justin Crosslin
2016, Tim Bewley
2015, Jordan Waldron
2014, Dan Hogan
2013, Jill Robinson
2012, Santi Tefel
2011, Brian Taylor
2010, James Crumlin, Jr
2009, Jonathan Cole
2008, David Weil

2007, Melissa Wyatt
2006, Erika Sumner
2005, Paula Roberts
2004, Elizabeth Gerken
2003, Bob Lawhon
2002, Susan Chapman
2001, Patty St. Clair
2000, Derek Young
1999, Debra Asay
1998, Jim Phillips
1997, Marcus Stamps
1996, Robinson Regen
1995, Mitch Petross
1994, Eric Rhinehardt

Legacy of Leadership Award Recipients

2023, Jill Robinson
2022, Hal Cato
2021, Joshua Livingston
2020, Robinson Regen

Our Speakers

Butch Spyridon

Butch Spryidon

CEO(Retired)
Nashville Convention& Visitors Corp

View Bio

Butch Spyridon recently retired as head of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC), where he served as president and CEO since 1991 and will continue to serve as a strategic consultant. Under his leadership, the NCVC led the strategic development of Nashville’s hospitality industry, and Music City has evolved into a top global destination, generating over $9.9 billion in visitor spending annually. During Butch’s tenure, the NCVC has guided Nashville to be a major leisure and convention destination, ranking as the top sixth city in the country for meetings. Butch was also involved with major development initiatives, including the Tennessee Titans, Bridgestone Arena, July 4th, New Year’s Eve, the Music City Center, Music City Walk of Fame, and led the recruitment and execution of the 2019 NFL Draft, which became the most successful event in NFL history.

In 2022, Butch was also inducted into the Hall of Leaders at the Global Awards by the Events Industry Council and was included in the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry, which recognizes exceptional industry figures from around the globe. Spyridon serves on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Travel Association and as Chair of Destinations International. Raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Spyridon graduated from Vanderbilt University. He is a graduate of the Institute of Comparative Political and Economic Systems at Georgetown University.

Kevin Lavender

Kevin Lavender

Executive Vice President
Head of Commercial Banking
Fifth Third Bank

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Kevin Lavender is the executive vice president and head of Commercial Banking for Fifth Third Bank where he is responsible for overseeing the Company’s vertically integrated commercial sales teams, Capital Markets, Specialty Lending and Treasury Management businesses. Before joining Fifth Third, Kevin served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions and was the co-founder and executive vice president of MediSphere Health Partners Inc., a private specialty physician practice management company. He began his career as group vice president for health care lending with SunTrust Bank, Inc.

Kevin served as chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and continues as a member of its board. He also serves on the Nashville City Club board. Kevin previously served on the boards of PICA, the Podiatry Insurance Company of America, and of publicly traded Envision Healthcare, where he was chairman of the compensation committee and member of the nominating and governance committee. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in international finance from the University of Georgia.

Jill Robinson

Jill Robinson (Moderator)

Assistant Dean of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships
Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University

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Jill Robinson is the Assistant Dean of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships for the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University. Jill’s professional path started in Nashville in 1995, working with various nonprofit organizations in the areas of marketing, outreach, and program management including Tennessee 200, the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA), and LifeWay. Concurrently, she joined Charter Resource Group, a change management and CEO coaching consulting firm.

In February 2005, Jill joined Belmont University’s Office of the President focusing on presidential initiatives, donor relations, and cross-functional team management. In summer 2007, she moved to the Center for Executive Education as the Director of Executive Learning and Marketing combining her love for learning, leadership training, and marketing. Jill moved to the Jack C. Massey College of Business Dean’s Office as the Director of External Relations in 2014, where she focused on strategic initiatives, community outreach, and leadership development. Throughout the years, Jill has received numerous awards and recognitions including, the inaugural NBJ 40 Under 40 award in 2009; the Nashville Chamber’s Nashville Emerging Leader Education award in 2010; and the NBJ Women of Influence nonprofit award in 2016. She was also named Woman of the Year for School of the Arts in 2021 at her alma matter Samford University. In 2017, Jill received her International Coaching Certification and launched her coaching business focusing on job transition, career visioning, leadership development and execution.

Thanks to our 2023 sponsors!

Tractor Supply Co. logo
amazon
Nashville Electric Service
deloitte
hca healthcare logo
Turner Construction logo
Pierce
RJ Young logo
mars petcare logo
Brasfield & Gorrie logo
rc mathews contractor logo
AQP Consulting logo
Pinnacle Financial Partners logo

Renasant Bank

Joshua Livingston

Clark Construction Group

KraftCPAs, PLLC

Dominique Butts

Plumlee & Associates, LLC.

Studio Bank

Get in Touch. Get Involved.

2934 Sidco Drive, Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37204

Call Us: (615) 386-0060

YLC Alumni

170+

Students Per Year

400+

Nonprofits served

5

Cohorts each year