2021 Cohort of Leadership Public Education Announced - Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 2021 cohort of Leadership Public Education, a 6-month public education leadership development program empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to serve in elected, appointed, and volunteer leadership roles supporting Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). Elected, appointed, and volunteer leaders impact the structures, policies, and resources for student achievement and workforce readiness. The preparation of these leaders is key to the mission of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: To create economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership.

Allen Hovious, Hovious Consulting
Amy Daniels, WBA Architecture
Amy Hodge, Belmont University
Andrew Neyland, Regions Bank
Bob Bernstein, Bongo Productions
Briana Sprick Schuster, Bass, Berry & Sims
Connor Siegel, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Falon Keith, Country Music Association
Jami Oakley, UniCycle
Jamie Mires, Regions Bank
Jason Giompoletti, EY
Jennifer Westerholm, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County
Kimi Abernathy, Independent Educational Consultant
LaKishia Harris, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Lori Adukeh, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee
Madeline Adams, Homework Hotline
Melinda Judd, Nashville Public Education Foundation
Sarah Dexheimer, Orcutt | Winslow
Thom Druffel, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County; Holiday Inn Nashville Vanderbilt
Tracy Dunn, Hip Hues
Travis Moore, Western Governors University
Wendy Burch, Crosslin Certified Public Accountants

Fellows learn and discuss the structures, challenges, and opportunities of MNPS with experts in public education. Sessions include:

Public School Funding
MNPS Budget Process
Education Policy and Law
Roles and Responsibilities of Board of Education and Director of Schools
Teacher and Principal Talent Attraction and Retention
Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication

Upon completion, fellows pursue community leadership roles including: Parent-teacher organization, school or district-based advisory council, nonprofit board of directors, Academies of Nashville Partnership Council, Education Report Committee at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, MNPS Board of Education, Tennessee State Board of Education, and Metro-Nashville Davidson County boards and commissions.