FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Announces 2026 Leadership Connect Cohort
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 5, 2026) —The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2026 cohort of the signature Leadership Connect program. These distinguished business professionals were selected through a competitive application process and recognized for both their professional achievements as well as their dedication to community engagement.
Leadership Connect is a six-month development program tailored for small business professionals, aiming to cultivate the next generation of community and business leaders. Participants gain access to subject matter experts and engage in dialogues with peers and seasoned CEOs experienced in community leadership. Through this initiative, small business professionals not only refine their leadership skills but also forge meaningful connections that drive innovation and collaboration across Middle Tennessee.
“Leadership Connect gives the small business leaders who fuel our region’s growth a space to build skills, deepen relationships, and better understand the issues shaping Middle Tennessee,” said Stephanie Coleman, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to invest in this year’s cohort and help equip them to make a strong, lasting impact in our community.”
The 2026 Leadership Connect Cohort includes:
- Maliyah Bass, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream
Maliyah Bass is the Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream, Tennessee’s first rolled ice cream food truck and home of The Roll Academy, the only rolled ice cream crafting class in the U.S. Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream received the 2025 NEXT Award in Hospitality and Retail for the growth and impact of the business and she’s a 2025 Nashville Black 40 Under 40 honoree. - Craig Cook, Founder, Equitas Strategic Partners
Equitas Strategic Partners is an outsourced accounting firm headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, and founded in 2024. Craig’s current focus is to help guide business owners through their entrepreneurial journey by establishing Fortune 500-level accounting procedures and financial statements and providing strategic financial leadership. - John Mark (JM) Eberhardt, Managing Advisor, King Legacy Group
John Mark Eberhardt is a financial strategist, entrepreneur, and advocate for financial literacy. With a career spanning multiple industries, he combines his entrepreneurial insight with a deep understanding of wealth-building strategies. Through his work at King Legacy Group, he helps clients secure their financial futures with innovative tools and empowers families, individuals, and businesses to thrive. - Dr. Rahul Iyengar, Founder and CEO, Members Health Co
Dr. Iyengar is the Founder and CEO of Members Health Co, a fast-growing, doctor-led healthcare company headquartered in Nashville. By cutting out traditional healthcare middlemen, he has built a model that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and long-term patient relationships. Dr. Rahul combines clinical rigor with strategic business execution to transform how communities access high-quality, doctor-led care. - Tequila Johnson, Co-Founder, The Equity Alliance
Tequila Johnson is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur, speaker, and Co-Founder of The Equity Alliance, a multi-entity enterprise known for its nonprofit arm that has grown into one of Tennessee’s most impactful grassroots organizations. Under her leadership, the organization has registered tens of thousands of voters and built statewide chapters advancing economic justice, housing equity, and workforce development. - Abe Mbow, Founder and CEO, Skilled Workforce
Abe Mbow is the Founder and CEO of Skilled Workforce, a veteran-owned service provider specializing in staffing augmentation, workforce development, and training, which also includes a General Contracting division and a Non-Profit organization. He actively engages in the business and professional community through Rotary Club, trade organizations, and volunteer mentorship. - Jessica McMillian, Co-Founder, TNT Goods
Jessica McMillian co-founded TNT Goods to encourage and uplift women to feel their most beautiful, confident, and empowered selves. The company specializes in high-quality, gold-plated jewelry and interactive experiences like the TNT Charm Bar, with activations for brands such as Revolve, Cotton, Big Loud, and Vanderbilt University. - Britt Mitchell, CEO, Dream Bigger Now TODAY
Britt Mitchell is a best-selling author, speaker, and leadership strategist with 20 years of experience across marketing, sales, and enablement. As a marketing leader at State Farm, she was recognized as one of Brand Innovators’ “40 Under 40.” She is currently CEO of Dream Bigger Now TODAY, a firm empowering high-performing leaders and teams through keynotes, workshops, and published works. - Elizabeth Moore Amick, Co-Founder, TRILUNA
Elizabeth Moore Amick is the Co-Founder of TRILUNA, an experiential wellness company she built with Ashley Brooke James to transform how people gather. As a third-generation local business owner with a background in marketing, branding, and experience design, she blends strategy and creativity to design immersive experiences prioritizing well-being, engagement, and community. - Dr. Gerald Onuoha, Founder and CEO, Future Drx
Dr. Gerald Obinna Onuoha Founder and CEO of Future Drx, a healthcare technology platform that helps hospitals and clinics find their perfect providers. He is also the Founder and CEO of Everybody vs. Racism, a 501(c)(3) organization creating equitable opportunities and inclusive communities. Gerald combines his medical expertise with entrepreneurship to build innovative solutions and foster community impact.
For more information about the Leadership Connect program, please contact Veronica Marable Johnson, vice president of Small Business Initiatives, at vjohnson@nashvillechamber.com.
Headshots available at this link.
Media Contact
Jordan LaBelle
Manager of Communications
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Cell: 615- 743-3018
jlabelle@nashvillechamber.com
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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.