Signature Program Class XIII
2026-2027
Leadership Tennessee proudly announces the members of its Signature Program Class XIII – a group of 52 distinguished individuals named to its 2026-2027 cohort.
Founded in 2013, Leadership Tennessee serves the state with a mission to foster non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, connecting and deploying a network of diverse leaders and engaged citizens.
In Leadership Tennessee’s 13th Signature Program, 12 different Tennessee counties are represented with diverse professional experience in a wide range of sectors and industries. Included in this year’s class is Jason Mumpower, Comptroller of the Treasury; as well as other leaders from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Autozone, Dollar General, Tennessee Valley Authority, Pinnacle Financial Partners and the Tennessee House. The diverse class also includes city officials, education professionals, nonprofit and business executives – representing the diverse voices and perspectives of the state.
Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will visit all corners of the state, analyzing challenges that Tennessee faces, and will work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities. The statewide study will result in concrete plans to continue dialogue and actions addressing the most serious issues uncovered.
“We take great pride in challenging our cohorts to think deeply, lead courageously and engage meaningfully in shaping Tennessee’s future,” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “This class represents an exceptional group of leaders, chosen not only for their demonstrated accomplishments, but also for their capacity to inspire progress and create lasting impact across our state. Through this program, they will gain valuable insights, meaningful relationships and a broader perspective on Tennessee’s opportunities and challenges. We are excited to see how this class will leverage those experiences to strengthen their communities and help shape the next chapter of leadership in 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.
Individuals named to the cohort, alphabetically by county, are:
Anderson County
Tracy Boatner, President & CEO, East Tennessee Economic Council
Davidson County
Jeff Upperman, Surgeon in Chief, Monroe Carroll Jr Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Shanna Jackson, President, Nashville State Community College
Andrew Batey, Co-CEO, Beatdapp
Lillian Blackshear, Partner, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
John Mikos, President & CEO, YMCA of Middle Tennessee
Carrie Stokes, President & CEO, Barge Design Solutions
Tequila Johnson, Co-Founder & CEO, The Equity Alliance
Emily Mitchell, Regional Executive and Senior Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Herbert Brown, Senior Director, Community & Citizenship, Turner Construction Company
Nicole Floyd Smith, Vice President of Advocacy and Communications, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)
Wendy Thompson, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Fisk University
Lindsey Cox, CEO, Launch Tennessee
Gray Skinner, CEO, MasterBorn, Inc.
Huy Tran, Founder & CEO, Together Health, Inc.
Brian Sexton, Manager, Legislative Affairs, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Hamilton County
Mark Feemster, Area Executive/Client Advisory Group, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Don Mueller, President & CEO, Siskin Children’s Institute
Emily Mack, President & CEO, River City Company
Andy Wood, President & CEO, Tennessee Aquarium
Keri Randolph, President, Benwood Foundation
Knox County
Renee Kesler, President & CEO, Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Sam Albritton, Knoxville Market President, FirstBank
Syreeta Vaughn, NFSD Senior Staff, UT-Battelle, LLC Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Billy Carroll, President & CEO, SmartBank
Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Founding Dean, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Amy Edge, Senior Director-Stakehold Engagement, Tennessee Valley Authority
Lynne Fugate, CEO, City of Knoxville
Brian Dickens, Chief Human Resource Officer, University of Tennessee System
Art Graham, Director, Tennessee Valley Authority
Madison County
JacQuene Rainey, President, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson
Putnam County
Ryan Williams, Director of Business Development, J&S Construction, & Tennessee House of Representative
Avery Hutchins, President & CEO, Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council, WCTE PBS
Sevier County
Robbie Fox, Mayor, City of Sevierville
Shelby County
Anasa Troutman, Founder & CEO, The Big We
Dorcas Young Griffin, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)
J. Lawrence Turner, Senior Pastor, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
Deidre Malone, President & CEO, The Carter Malone Group, LLC
Anna McQuiston, Executive Director, Midsouth Development District
Adam Christopher, Director of Government Relations, Autozone
Sally Pace, Chief Executive Officer, Connect Healthcare Collaboration
Warren County
Jackie Matheny, Sheriff, Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Sullivan County
Nicole Austin, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Kingsport Chamber
Jason Mumpower, Comptroller of the Treasury, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
Washington County
Paula Masters, Vice President, Chief Health Disparities Officer, Ballad Health
Dawn Tuell, Professor and the Chair, Department of Pediatrics, East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Williamson County
Steve Brophy, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Dollar General
Lee Reeves, State Representative, District 65, Tennessee House of Representatives
Ed Magee, Chief Operating Officer, The Thomas F. Fist Jr. College of Medicine, Belmont University
Carter Lawrence, Commissioner & State Fire Marshal, Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Jim Meade, CEO, LBMC PC
Brandon Corbin, Market Chief Information Officer (CIO), Ascension Saint Thomas