Signature Program Class XI
2024-2025

Leadership Tennessee is proud to announce the selection of its Signature Program Class XI – a group of 48 distinguished individuals named to its 2024-2025 cohort.

In Leadership Tennessee’s 11th Signature Program, 14 different Tennessee counties are represented with diverse professional experience in a wide range of sectors and industries. Among many other of Tennessee’s most notable leaders, this year’s group also includes WKRN morning news anchor Nikki Burdine – as well as Dawn White, state senator from Rutherford County, and Memphis Mayor Paul Young.

Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will visit all corners of the state, analyzing challenges that Tennessee faces, and will work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities. The statewide study will result in concrete plans to continue dialogue and actions addressing the most serious issues uncovered.

“We are proud to challenge our cohorts to think critically about advancing our state in a variety of areas,” said Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO, Leadership Tennessee. “This class in particular will experience the program at the height of this year’s election. This will no doubt lead to even deeper and more thoughtful dialogue as state and federal discourse will be spiking in this moment.”

Candidates are selected by an anonymous selection committee and evaluated based on the following criteria: leadership experience, a history of addressing statewide issues in both a personal and professional capacity, and a strong understanding of what challenges Tennessee faces today.

Davidson County

·       Jill Ayers, Judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals

·       Monty Burks, Deputy Director, The Governor’s Faith Based and Community Initiative

·       Clay Bright, CEO, Megasite Authority of West Tennessee

·       Nikki Burdine, News Anchor, WKRN

·       Brooxie Carlton, Assistant Commissioner, Community and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

·       Joe Carrico, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation

·       Kate Chinn, Partner, MP&F

·       Natalie Cooper, President and CEO, Wellpoint TN

·       Steven Gentile, Executive Director, Tennessee Higher Education Commission

·       Erin Hafkenschiel, President, ThinkTennessee

·       Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director, ONE Community and Titans Foundation, Tennessee Titans

·       Bert McCarter, Attorney, McCarter East PLLC

·       Martesha Johnson Moore, Chief Public Defender, Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office

·       Karl Sprules, Chief Operating Officer, AllianceBernstein

·       Carey Whitworth, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, University of Tennessee System

·       Russell Ziecker, Executive Vice President, Head of Global TV Music, LIONSGATE and STARZ

Gibson County

·       Tina Prescott, Chief Operating Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare

Hamilton County

·       Casey Dungan, President and CEO, BlueCare Tennessee

·       Evann Freeman, Vice President, Government and Community Relations, EPB Chattanooga

·       Ian Leavy, Assistant General Counsel, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

·       Joe Riley, Founder/Owner, Patriot Family Homes and Quail Run Farm

·       Mina Sartipi, Professor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Knox County

·       Ben Bentley, CEO, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

·       Jan Brown, VP, Talent and Culture, Tennessee Valley Authority

·       Clarice Phelps, Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

·       Grant Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer, City of Knoxville

·       Tammy White, President/CEO, Leadership Knoxville

Madison County

·       Monte Cooper, President and CEO, Jackson Energy Authority

·       Carol Rothstein, President, Jackson State Community College

Montgomery County

·       Lee Harrell, Chief of Staff, Montgomery County

·       Kimberly Wiggins, County Trustee, Montgomery County Government

Roane County

·       Bob Eby, Chairman, Tennessee State Board of Education

Robertson County

·       Zane Seals, Chief Financial Officer, Division of TennCare

Rutherford County

·       Dawn White, District 13 State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly

Shelby County

·       Kemp Conrad, Principal, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Advisors, LLC

·       Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Memphis City Councilwoman, City of Memphis

·       Michael Fulton, Director of Government Affairs and Business Diversity Development, Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority

·       Tiffany Legington Graham, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, National Civil Rights Museum

·       Phillip May, President (Memphis), Pinnacle Financial Partners

·       Johnny Moore, Jr., Tennessee Regional President, Truist Financial

·       Chandell Ryan, President and CEO, Downtown Memphis Commission

·       Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis

Smith County

·       Bryan Wright, Executive Vice President, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Sullivan County

·       Carla Karst, Principal and Founder, Landstar and Workforce Homes Foundation

·       Frank Lett, President and Chief Tourism Officer, Visit Kingsport

Sumner County

·       Chassen Haynes, Regional Manager, U.S. State and Local Government Affairs, Ford Motor Company

Williamson County

·       Matt Largen, President and CEO, Williamson, Inc.

·       Mia McNeil, State Director, AARP Tennessee