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 them to tackle critical issues through a three-dimensional view of the city.
This year’s class was chosen from more than 250 applicants, according to a news release, Turner Nashe chaired the selection committee.
“Leadership Nashville was founded in 1976 as an executive-level connecting top leaders rather than a leadership training program,” Executive Director Evette White said in the release. “It provides a ‘master’s level backstage pass’ to the city and becomes a bridge, connecting people and the issues facing 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 North America; 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 of Mayor 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 Tennessee and the Cumberlands
- Victor Wynn, executive pastor & minister of worship, The Temple Church
- Tyler Yarbro, managing partner, Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella PC