For Immediate Release
Winners Announced for the 2025 NELAS
Eighteenth Annual Awards Ceremony Showcasing Nashville’s Young Professionals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 31, 2025) –The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville today celebrated the winners of the 2025 NELAS. Now in its eighteenth year, the NELAS honors the Nashville region’s emerging leaders, outstanding young professionals aged 21–40, for their career accomplishments and community contributions.
The NELAS recognize up to four finalists and one winner in 16 industry categories: Architecture and Engineering; Business Services; Arts, Entertainment, and Media; Entrepreneurship; Community and Nonprofit; Education; Environment and Sustainability; Financial Services; Government and Public Affairs; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Resources; Legal Services; Medical and Health Care Services; Advertising and Public Relations; Wellness; and Technology.
Industry leaders serving as judges evaluate applications and choose winners based on submitted essay responses, professional achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community impact.
“The winners of the 2025 NELAS exemplify the innovation, passion, and leadership that define Nashville’s next generation of professionals,” said Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Year after year, it’s inspiring to see the profound impact these bold young leaders have on our vibrant city. We are excited to see their continued growth and future contributions to this dynamic community.”
NELAS winners were announced during the NELAS Awards Ceremony at Marathon Music Works on Thursday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m. with a reception immediately following. YP Nashville is presented by The Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University.
Visit https://www.nashvillechamber.com/nelas/ for more information.
2025 NELAS Winners
Advertising and Public Relations
Bri Carlesimo, Vice President of Client Experience, Pierce Public Relations
Architecture and Engineering
Amira Ahmetovic, Manager, Business Development/Marketing, ESa
Arts, Entertainment, and Media
Bruce Ayers, Founder/ CEO, Musical Director, Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Inc.
Business Services
Allie Williamson, CEO, Southern Domestic Diva
Community Service and Nonprofit
Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CEO, Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership (DBA: Empowering Neighborhood Partnerships (ENP)) & AQP Consulting
Education
Dr. Robert N. Wallace Jr., Chief of Staff, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Entrepreneurship
Channing Moreland, Co-Founder, EVA Entertainment, Inc.
Environment and Sustainability
Jon D. Bumpus, Director of Communications, TennGreen Land Conservancy
Financial Services
Kandace Harris, VP, Client Service Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Government and Public Affairs
The Honorary Terry Vo, District 17 Metro Councilmember, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Hospitality and Tourism
Morgan Rehnberg, Ph.D., VP of Exhibits & Experiences, Adventure Science Center
Human Resources
Gabrielle Rodman, Senior Global Talent & Leadership Development Manager, Dell Technologies
Legal Services
Hannah Webber, Attorney, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Medical and Health Care Services
Ashley Danner, CEO, BrightQuest Treatment Centers
Technology
Shoira Shamsieva, Software Development Manager, WEX Inc
Wellness
Reggie Ford, Wellness and Resilience Architect, RoseCrete Wellness Company
Headshots of the finalists are available upon request.
Media Contact
Jordan LaBelle
Manager of Communications
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Cell: 615-743-3018
jlabelle@nashvillechamber.com
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About YP Nashville
YP Nashville is an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and professional organization partners working to connect, empower, and engage young professionals to actively shape the future of the Nashville region. For more information, visit https://www.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.
