Nineteenth Annual Awards Showcasing Middle Tennessee’s Young Professionals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville today announced the finalists for The 2026 NELAS. Now in its 19th year, The NELAS honors Middle Tennessee’s emerging leaders, outstanding young professionals ages 21–40, for their career accomplishments and community contributions.
The NELAS recognizes up to five finalists and one winner in various industry categories. Industry leaders serving as judges evaluate applications and choose finalists and winners based on submitted essay responses, professional achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community impact.
“Across Middle Tennessee, young professionals are building businesses, leading teams, and giving back in meaningful ways,” said Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “The NELAS recognize the individuals leading that momentum and shaping the future of our region. This year’s finalist class emerged from an exceptionally strong and competitive pool, reflecting the depth of talent and the strength and promise of the Nashville region’s next generation of leaders.”
“Our young professionals are driving the community forward with outstanding vision, work ethic, and dedication,” said Dr. Randy Bradley, Dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University. “A NELAS nomination is a testament to that impact, and this year’s finalists represent a talented group leading the charge. Young professionals are the heartbeat of our regional economy and seeing them recognized fills me with pride and optimism for our collective future. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”
Winners will be announced during The NELAS Ceremony Thursday, July 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Marathon Music Works. Visit https://www.nashvillechamber.com/nelas/ for more information.
2026 NELAS Finalists
ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Abby Janis, HCA Healthcare
• Jena Potter, Williamson, Inc.
• Allie Owens, Pierce Public Relations
• Charlotte Weatherington, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
• Katherine Green, REED
ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING
• Meghan Sigler, KCI Technologies, Inc.
• Alex Roten, BELL Construction
• Hunter Whitten, Turner Construction Company
• Ashley Ayub, Barton Malow
• Reece Tucker, Barge Design Solutions
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
• Sydney Watson, National Museum of African American Music
• Romello Smith, National Museum of African American Music
• Isabel Tipton-Krispin, The Nashville Shakespeare Festival
• Margaret Eggers, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
• Kate Senkier, Broadcast Music Inc
BUSINESS, REAL ESTATE & HR
• Danielle Pyle, Fraction Force Strategies
• Elle Benson, Nonprofit Leadership LLC
• Aubrey Gertz, Ankura
• Kunal Patel, SVN Accel Commercial Real Estate & ViBE Ventures
• Craig Vanbury, The Precisionists, Inc.
COMMUNITY SERVICE & NONPROFIT
• Sarah Edwards Waldrop, Friends Life Community
• Kat Piper, CASA Nashville
• Kaitlyn McCarthy, The Next Door Recovery
• Charmin Bates, Creative Girls Rock
• Taylor Woodard, PENCIL
EDUCATION
• Tashaye Woods, Nashville Public Education Foundation
• Colleen Gilligan, Nashville Public Education Foundation
• Dr. Alesha Harmon, Valor Collegiate Academies
• Kelly Pietkiewicz, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
• Kait Ferlante, Redwood Literacy
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• Holly Rachel, The Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center
• Dakota Simpson, Nashville Entrepreneur Center
• Darius McDonald, Vanguard Strategy Partners
• Sydney Ball, Ballpoint Business Solutions
• Dr. Jessica McMillan, TNT Goods
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
• Julia Craven, CSDG
• Chaney Fisher, LaBella Associates
• Tarryn Sanchez, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
FINANCIAL SERVICES
• Brian Marynowitz, LBMC
• Derek Decker, Wilson Bank & Trust
• Taylor Parks, LBMC
• Joaquin Salcedo, White Glove CPAs & Business Solutions
• Noel Scruggs, PwC LLP
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
• Rebecca Woods, TN for Quality Early Education
• Rebecca Nofi, Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC)
• Meghann Stamps, Office of the Metropolitan Trustee
• Steven Henry, Jigsaw
• Susan Steffenhagen, Town of Thompson’s Station
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
• Colby Abernathy, Redneck Riviera Nashville
• Marshall Welch Jr., Schulte Hospitality
• Annie Garrett, Greater Nashville Hospitality Association
• Raelyn Cardwell, Schulte Hospitality Group
• Chelsa Lourie, Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association
LEGAL SERVICES
• Michael Malone, Polsinelli PC
• Kymberly Whitaker, Polsinelli PC
• Hadeel Abouhasira, Holland & Knight LLP
• Brittany Macon, Polsinelli PC
• Angie Bergman, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
MEDICAL, HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS
• Matthew Smith, Capitol View Dental
• Lacey Raley, Center for Authentic Growth
• Anjali Mukherji Doria, Dava Foundation
• Andreana Holowatyj, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Andrew Dorris, LBMC
TECHNOLOGY
• Ray Holloman, F5 / Holloman Solutions
• Tyler Haksluoto, General Motors
• Logan Sizemore, KirkpatrickPrice
• Mariel Liggin, Launch Tennessee
• Charles Layne, Launch Tennessee
Headshots of finalists are available upon request.
Media Contact
Alexia Poe
Phone: (615) 948-9339 (cell)
Email: alexia@poeconsultllc.com
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About YP Nashville
YP Nashville is the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s young professional initiative, connecting and empowering emerging leaders through year-round networking, leadership development, and community engagement opportunities. Signature programming includes The NELAS, an annual awards program recognizing Middle Tennessee’s rising leaders and their impact across industries. YP Nashville is presented by the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University. Learn more at ypnashville.org.
About the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing over 1,800 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2030 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work, and do business. Partnership 2030 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2030 investors, and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Gresham Smith and Regions Bank. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.