Leadership Tennessee announces largest 'NEXT' class of rising decision-makers
A group of the state's rising decision-makers were chosen to represent Leadership Tennessee NEXT, a "trailblazing program" committed to nurturing emerging leaders, according to president and CEO Alfred Degrafinreid II.
Degrafinreid announced the new distinguished class Wednesday.
An initiative of Leadership Tennessee, Leadership Tennessee NEXT empowers the state’s early and mid-career professionals, providing them with unparalleled personal and professional development opportunities while deepening their understanding of the state, its assets, and opportunities.
Leadership Tennessee NEXT Class VIII comprises 30 rising professionals chosen for their diverse representation of the state's regions and industries.
“We believe the future of Tennessee lies in the next generation of leaders, those who are not only ambitious in their careers but also passionate about the unity and prosperity of our state,” Degrafinreid said. “Leadership Tennessee NEXT Class VIII embodies this spirit, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will make on our communities and the broader landscape of our great state.”
The program spans four sessions across various regions of the state, including Paris Landing, Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville, and is designed to foster the growth of participants' professional skills and facilitate connections from a cross-sector and cross-region network of state leaders.
Throughout the program, participants will engage in collaborative, nonpartisan dialogues, addressing critical issues of statewide importance.
Class VIII boasts representatives from 11 counties and 11 unique professional sectors from across the state.
In its 10 years, Leadership Tennessee has established a network of over 600 members.
Class X of Leadership Tennessee’s Signature Program, the largest class in program history, is in the middle of its program year, which will conclude in June of 2024.
Leadership Tennessee NEXT Class VIII members are as follows:
Bradley County
Matt Workman, Physician, Peerless Pediatrics
Carter County
Jessica Lenden-Holt, Chief Clinical Officer and Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist, Sidekick Therapy Partners
Davidson County
Alicia Bailey, Co-founder/ COO, Moment of Creation Studio
Al Brady, Director of Admissions & Recruiting, UpRise Nashville
Kayla Clayborne Counts, Senior Specialist, Public & Community Engagement, Tennessee Valley Authority
Steven Fox, Engineer, AECOM
James Morrison, Director of Strategy, Barton Malow Builders
Rachel Roberson, Associate Attorney, Managed Care & Payor Disputes, Health Care Litigation, Polsinelli PC
Contrecia Tharpe, Chief Executive Officer, FayeVaughn Creative
Eric Tieles, Vice President, MP&F Strategic Communications
David Tuchman, Business Process Manager, Cat Financial
Amy Willoughby Bryant, Director, Office of Conservatorship Management
Giles County
Evan Beech, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, University of Tennessee Southern
Hamilton County
Penn Brafford, Chief Business Officer, Variable, Inc.
Micah Chapman, Connectivity Ambassador, Tech Goes Home Tn
Xavier Cotto, Consultant - Culture, Inclusion & Performance, Tennessee Valley Authority
Shaquanta Locke, Manager Supplier Diversity, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Chrissy Mincy, Attorney, Mincy Law, PLLC
Madison County
Alan Brown, Agent / Owner, Alan Brown - State Farm Insurance Agent
Montgomery County
Alexis Gatson Heaston, Assistant Professor/ Quality Enhancement Plan Faculty Liaison, Tennessee State University
Michael Lankford, Business Development Officer, Altra Federal Credit Union
Thomasa Ross, Board of Trustees Chair, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
Rutherford County
Trevin Ayers, Chief of Staff, TN Department of Finance & Administration
Shelby County
Samuel Beyhan, Executive Director, Read Foundation
Arriell Gipson Martin, Community Engagement Manager, Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center
Jerry Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, William R Moore College of Technology
Keenan Lowery, Alumni Coordinator, City Leadership/ Choose901
Tiffani Morrow-Smith, Executive Director, REACH Memphis
Washington County
Dustin Wilson, Health Systems Specialist, Veterans Health Administration - James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
Wilson County
Courtney Nyange, Executive Director and Professor, Tennessee State University School of Nursing
Founded as an initiative of Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership and Public Service, Leadership Tennessee transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) in August 2021. Leadership Tennessee remains steadfast in its mission to foster collaborative, non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, connecting and deploying a network of diverse leaders and engaged citizens. To learn more about Leadership Tennessee, please visit www.leadershiptennessee.org.
Leadership Tennessee is a pioneering organization that facilitates collaborative, non-partisan dialogue on issues of statewide importance. By bridging geographic and professional boundaries, Leadership Tennessee connects a diverse network of problem solvers and engaged citizens. To learn more, visit www.leadershiptennessee.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Leadership TN announces largest 'NEXT' class of rising decision-makers
