LEADERS WORKING TOGETHER FOR A STRONGER TENNESSEE
Michael A. Anastasi Elected Board Chair of Leadership Tennessee; David Golden recognized for outstanding Leadership
Nashville, TN – [10/04/2024] – Leadership Tennessee, the premier statewide community leadership organization, is pleased to announce the election of Michael A. Anastasi as its new Board Chair. Mr. Anastasi, a board member of Leadership Tennessee since 2019, will succeed David Golden, who served with distinction as Board Chair for the past three years. This leadership transition marks a continued commitment to fostering collaborative, nonpartisan dialogue on critical issues affecting the state of Tennessee. Anastasi, Vice President of Local News for Gannett and the USA TODAY Network, is poised to guide Leadership Tennessee into a new era of expanded influence and innovation.
“I strongly believe in the mission of Leadership Tennessee, and it has been an honor and privilege to chair such a wonderful board,” said Golden. “I am grateful to Michael and his willingness to serve and share his immense talent for the good of our great state.”
As Board Chair, Anastasi will oversee the strategic direction of Leadership Tennessee, working closely with the board, staff, and stakeholders to enhance Leadership Tennessee’s reach and impact. Leadership Tennessee also extends its deepest gratitude to Golden for his exceptional leadership during his tenure as Board Chair. Under his guidance, he led the efforts for Leadership Tennessee to become a standalone 501(c)(3), spearheaded the CEO search and the hiring of Leadership Tennessee’s second president, and directed the efforts to create the 2023 – 2028 Strategic Plan for Leadership Tennessee’s new independent status.
“David has been a pivotal leader for us, steering our organization with a steady hand through monumental times of change and growth” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “We are immensely grateful for his dedication and contributions, which have indelibly shaped our path forward.
Other members of the Leadership Tennessee board are:
Calvin Anderson
President, Clear Strategies Group
Class II
Janet Ayers
President, Ayers Foundation
Class I
Laura Berlind, Board Treasurer
Executive Director, Adaptive Leadership Network
Class IV
Brandon Gibson, Board Secretary
COO, State of Tennessee
Class IV
David Golden
CEO, ETSU Research Corporation
Class III, Past Board Chair
Bruce Hartmann
Chief Community & Government Relations Officer, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Class IV
Mark White
State Representative, District 83, Tennessee House of Representatives
Class IV
Christi Branscom
Owner, Partners Development
Class IV
Non-Voting Members
Stacey Garrett Koju
Partner, Spencer Fane LLP
Class I
Leadership Tennessee, a non-partisan organization, fosters connections across the state that might not otherwise happen and that result in long-term, meaningful relationships. Leadership Tennessee curates quality, immersive experiences and candid, open dialogue among Tennessee’s leaders. This approach unites people to identify common ground and create constructive, viable solutions that improve the quality of life across Tennessee.
It is suggested the earliest mention of Tennessee’s Grand Divisions was in the 1835 – 1836 Acts of Tennessee. Since that time, the cultural and geographical distinctions of those three divisions have been a source of pride and, at times, conflict as citizens and lawmakers move towards a unified vision for the state. Citizens across all three divisions are striving to reach goals of educating local leaders on opportunities for action in their specific communities. Leadership Tennessee takes these efforts to the next level; crossing those Grand Division borders to inform and empower business, nonprofit, education and government leaders on the most critical challenges and opportunities that affect the state and create alignment for conversation and action.
Leadership Tennessee provides:
Collaborative learning and dialogue spanning the state’s three grand divisions;
Issue-specific education for demonstrated leaders;
Diverse representation of participants;
Opportunities to effect change.
For more information about who we are and what we're about,
check out our Mission + Vision + Values.
Premium partners
Our Premium Partners make multi-year pledges of financial support
benefitting the Signature Program Class Experiences
Supporters
Our Supporters support all Leadership Tennessee programs including: Signature Program, Community Engagement, and LT NEXT. Funding of meals, transportation, print materials or other materials needed to provide the full Leadership Tennessee Experience.
Friends
Our Friends support all Leadership Tennessee programs including: Signature Program, Community Engagement, and LT NEXT. Funding of meals, transportation, print materials or other materials needed to provide the full Leadership Tennessee Experience.
Leadership Tennessee was founded in 2013 as an initiative of the College of Leadership and Public Service at Lipscomb University.