This feature is in our weekly Monday Morning Report newsletter, which showcases our highest-level members. Leaders You Should Know highlights community leaders who are making a notable impact in the Nashville region.
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Meet Andrew Tavi, Senior Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs with Nissan
Tell us about yourself.
I am the Senior Vice President of Corporate & External Affairs for Nissan Americas. In that role, I sit on the Management Committee for our Americas operations and wear many hats as head of Legal, Government Affairs, Governance and Compliance, Philanthropy, and Sustainability. I was raised near Detroit, Michigan and started my career there but have called Nashville home for the last 16 years. I’m a proud University of Michigan alum (Go Blue!) and, even more importantly, husband to Lauren and dad to our three amazing kids: Kyle, Julia, and Carson.
Tell us about your business/industry.
Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, Nissan has more than 20,000 US employees engaged in every aspect of the automotive business, from design to research and development to manufacturing to sales and sales finance. Over more than 40 years, Nissan has invested more than $15 billion in its U.S. operations, produced more than 20 million vehicles at its vehicle assembly plants in Tennessee and Mississippi, and more than 13 million engines at its powertrain facility in Tennessee.
What should we know about you?
I am fueled by the challenge to solve the problem, to find a way to get the job done. It is almost an obsession, in that the harder the objective or the more obstacles presented, the more engaged I become. We try to build our teams the same way—find and empower people to solve the most difficult 10% of issues rather than the people that can solve more of the other 90%.
How did you get to your current position?
After graduating law school, I kicked off my career practicing corporate law and mergers and acquisitions in Detroit. Eventually, I joined an automotive supplier as its General Counsel and Head of External Affairs. However, that supplier became a casualty of the financial crisis and filed for bankruptcy. During that challenging time, I was appointed CEO, tasked with overseeing the winding down of operations and managing the sale of assets. I joined Nissan in 2009 as head of Legal, External Affairs and Compliance across the Americas. In 2014, I added responsibility for Human Resources and led those functions until 2018. During my career at Nissan, I have also led the company’s Corporate Planning, Business Transformation, and Compliance functions. I also serve as President of the Nissan Foundation, which annually awards grants to nonprofit organizations supporting innovative programs that break down societal barriers and help build more inclusive communities.
What value do you see in Chamber involvement?
The Chamber’s acceleration of collaboration and support across industries and between government and the business community has been instrumental in fostering a thriving business environment across Middle Tennessee. By building strong connections and facilitating dialogue among industry leaders, the Chamber helps drive innovation and growth across the region, benefiting businesses like Nissan and the companies that rely on us.
How do you encourage staff development?
At Nissan, we like to say, “Drive your career,” and I truly believe in the power of that message. As a leader, one of the most important things I can do is inspire our team members to take charge of their own journey. It’s about encouraging them to dream big, take initiative, and confidently advocate for themselves every step of the way. After all, no one is better equipped to shape their future than they are.
How do you stay engaged in the community?
In my role as head of External Affairs, I am constantly engaged with business leaders and representatives of state and local government. I am active on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recently serving two years as Chair of that Board. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and have had recurring roles on the Boards of Nashville Public Television and the Japan-America Society. Being part of these incredible organizations is a privilege and honor, and I genuinely enjoy supporting and driving their missions forward.
What are key trends in your industry?
The automotive industry is buzzing with both innovation and challenge right now, making it an exhilarating and sometimes exhausting time to be part of this space. From the rapid rise of electrification to groundbreaking advancements in autonomous driving technologies to managing an entirely new economic environment due to tariffs, automakers are navigating transformative trends that are reshaping the future. On top of that, cutting-edge manufacturing technologies are driving a shift toward next-generation skills, empowering us to adapt to the evolving ways we work. Yes, there are plenty of unknowns and challenges ahead, but the opportunities are truly remarkable—and that’s what makes being at Nissan so rewarding.
What is the best advice you have received?
During my time in private legal practice, I had the privilege of learning from a mentor who has remained a trusted figure in my life to this day. Among the many invaluable lessons he shared, one stands out above the rest: “You will take YOU with you, wherever you go and whatever you do.” This simple message taught me to deeply understand my own motivations, talents, and even shortcomings. It is a reminder that we carry these traits with us into every new environment and role we take on. And that environment and that role will change when our personal traits are introduced into it. The key to success lies in truly knowing yourself and learning how to adapt and grow—no matter where life takes you.