Nashville Emerging Leaders Introduces Class of 2024

Nashville’s top professionals selected for distinguished leadership development program, representing most diverse cohort ever

See the Nashville Business Journal Press Release

Nashville, Tennessee (Dec. 14, 2023) - Nashville Emerging Leaders (NEL), the city’s first and most prestigious leadership development program of its kind, has announced its Class of 2023. The group includes 30 of the top professionals from the private sector, civic and government, and nonprofit organizations.

“Nashville continues to be a place that more and more people are calling home each day,” said Anna-Vija McClain, Nashville Emerging Leaders Board President. “As our city grows, it’s up to us to ensure development, progress, and change benefit everyone, and the only way that’s possible is through engagement and participation. NEL helps to bridge the gap between our city today and the Nashville of tomorrow.”

The 11-week personal and professional leadership training program brings together the top minds across diverse backgrounds and perspectives working to shape Nashville’s future. The program includes interactive exercises, issue exploration, self-assessments, community participation, group projects and in-depth discussions with Middle Tennessee’s top community and business leaders.

The NEL Class of 2024 includes:

  • Abena Echternach, Spencer Fane, LLP

  • Alayna Cate, PENCIL

  • Bruce V. Ayers Jr., Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Inc.

  • Codi Drake, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

  • Deana Blount, Nashville After Zone Alliance

  • Dr. Chasity Muhammad, Music City Dental

  • Elizabeth Narvaez-Vega, Conexión Américas

  • Elle Benson, Nonprofit Leadership LLC

  • Eric Brinson, A&R Development & Acquisitions

  • Haley Miller, HCA Hope Fund

  • Hannah Cornejo-Nell, Office of Homeless Services

  • Isabel Tipton-Krispin, The Nashville Shakespeare Festival

  • Jeffrey Takiue, Empower Consulting

  • Karla MacIntyre, HCA Healthcare

  • Kyla Cretekos, Teach For America Nashville-Chattanooga

  • La’Kishia Harris, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

  • M. Sarah Elliott, Tennessee Department of Health

  • Mark Anthony Gottlieb Jr., Modern Marketing Consultancy

  • Morgan Stanley, BrainTrust

  • Philip Alms, Cedar Recovery

  • Quiteka "Teka" Moten, Tennessee State University

  • Rachael Harless Milligan, Lipscomb University

  • Ray Coombs, ServisFirst Bank Nashville

  • Samantha Thompson, HCA Healthcare

  • Shanese Brown, Anecdote Architectural Experiences

  • Sierra M. Washington, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

  • Stephanie Crenshaw, TennCare

  • Taylor Coleman, Tractor Supply Co.

  • Tinsley Hastings, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  • Whitney Johnson, EOA Architects

Nashville Emerging Leaders is sponsored in part by Amazon and FINN Partners.

Nashville Emerging Leaders