Signature Program Class XII
2025-2026
Fifty Tennesseans from across the state have been selected for Leadership Tennessee's Signature Program Class XII, a cohort that brings together accomplished professionals from a diverse range of experience in an array of sectors and industries.
Over the course of the 10-month program, the members will travel across the state to learn about the challenges Tennessee faces and work to propose solutions. They will create concrete plans to address issues.
“We take great pride in challenging our cohorts to think deeply and act boldly in advancing Tennessee,” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “The 2025 class brings together a remarkable group of leaders, selected for their proven leadership and potential to influence the future of our state. Through this program, they gain the tools, relationships and perspective needed to drive meaningful change — and this group is sure to harness that power to make a lasting impact across Tennessee.”
Candidates are selected by an anonymous selection committee and evaluated based on the following criteria: leadership experience, a history of addressing statewide issues in both a personal and professional capacity, and a strong understanding of what challenges Tennessee faces today.
Titles and organizations listed are reflective of positions held during program participation.
Crockett County
Shannon Haynes, Chief Prosperity Officer, Ayers Foundation Trust
Davidson County
Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Haley Davidson, Chief of Staff, Tennessee Titans
Terrance Gibson, Executive Director, Tennessee Education Association
Clifton Harris, President and CEO, Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Ashley Howell, Executive Director, Tennessee State Museum
Jim Jamison, President, Tennessee, AT&T
Dale Mitchell, Community Development Coordinator, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Stephen Nash, Co-Founder, Co-CEO, Southern Pediatrics
Freddie O’Connell, Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
C. Wright Pinson, President, Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network
Cathy Spencer, Chief People Officer, AllianceBernstein
David Whelan, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development, HCA Healthcare – TriStar Division
Juan Williams, Commissioner, Department of Human Resources, State of Tennessee
Greene County
Jeff Taylor, President and CEO, Greene County Partnership
Hamilton County
David Criswell, Chief Financial Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Tiffanie Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Aslan Holdings
Hardeman County
Julian McTizic, Mayor, City of Bolivar
Haywood County
Sheronda Green, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Blue Oval SK, LLC
Knox County
Mona Blanton-Kitts, Chief Executive Officer, Helen Ross McNabb Center
Kim Bumpas, President, Visit Knoxville
Benjamin M. Cunningham Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Kyle Hixson, Judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
Markus Jackson Sr., Chief Operating Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
Jordan Mollenhour, Co-CEO, Mollenhour Gross, LLC
Bert Robinson, Senior State Director, Tennessee Valley Authority
Montgomery County
Jean Luna-Vedder, Superintendent, Clarksville Montgomery County School System
Paul Turner, President, Ajax Distributing Company
Obion County
Hadley Malone, Manager, Obion County Farm Bureau Insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee
Putnam County
Robert Owens, Senior Executive for Access and Community Outreach, Tennessee Tech University
Lisa Uhrik, CEO and Executive Director, Franklin Enterprises (Mfg.) and Plenty Downtown Bookshop
Shelby County
Shante Avant, President and CEO, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis; Commissioner, Shelby County
Corbin Carpenter, Managing Member, Carpenter Law, PLLC
Harold Collins, Chief Administrative Officer, Shelby County Government
Christopher Davis, President, LeMoyne-Owen College
Mike Palazzolo, Mayor, City of Germantown
Troy Parkes, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, Greater Memphis Chamber
Mark Russell, Vice President, The Commercial Appeal/USA Today Network
Tomeka Hart Wigginton, President and CEO, United Way of the Mid-South
Sullivan County
Paul Montgomery, Mayor, City of Kingsport
Washington County
Will Barrett, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bank of Tennessee
Kristie Hammonds, President and CEO, Frontier Health
Jodi Jones, Professor and Director, ETSU College of Medicine; Commissioner, Washington County
Williamson County
Josh Brown, President and CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Marcya Carter-Sheats, Director, Market and Consumer Development, Cummins
Jeff Dale, Executive Director, Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy
John R. Faison Sr., Senior Pastor, Watson Grove Baptist Church
Ryan King, Vice President, Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association
Stacey Nickens, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Brian Solsbee, Executive Director, Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association