LT NEXT Class XIII
Fall 2026
Leadership Tennessee NEXT, a group committed to fostering non-partisan conversations on key state matters, revealed the 32 individuals chosen for the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program.
Leadership Tennessee NEXT is the state’s only statewide leadership program focusing on Tennessee’s existing and emerging leaders and spanning geographic and industry boundaries.
“The announcement of the 13th Leadership Tennessee NEXT class represents another important step in developing the next generation of civic leaders across our state,” said Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “What makes NEXT special is the willingness of these emerging leaders to engage deeply with Tennessee’s challenges while building relationships that transcend geography, industry, and perspective. Class XIII brings tremendous talent, energy, and vision, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.”
This year’s class includes representatives from 13 Tennessee counties with diverse professional experience in a wide range of sectors and industries.
Individuals named to the cohort, alphabetically by county, are:
Leadership Tennessee NEXT Complete Class XIII List
Bradley County
Andrew Dinsmore — Store Manager, Food City - KVAT Foods Inc.
Laken Shattuck — Director of Government & External Relations, EPB
Carroll County
Ryan Griffin — Mayor, City of McKenzie
Cheatham County
Nick Copenhaver — VP & Private Wealth Advisor, AllianceBernstein
Davidson County
Artetta West — Executive Human Resources and Corporate Service Admin, Nashville Electric Service
Ashley Harbin — Partner, Adams and Reese LLP
Elle Benson — Founder and CEO, Nonprofit Leadership LLC
Katie Crisp — Director, Executive Office, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee
Mackenzie Millet — Director of Educational Leadership, Millet & Associates
Melanie Passons — Deputy Chief of Staff, State of Tennessee Governor’s Office
Stefanie Cassidy — State of Tennessee Account Manager, Ernst & Young
Dickson County
Austin Travis — Intergovernmental Relations Manager & Legislative Liaison, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
Hamilton County
Matt Matthews — Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Melissa Callejas — Director of Tech Goes Home, The Enterprise Center
Robert Parks — Vice President of Operations, T.U. Parks Construction
Tyler York — CEO, WYRE Technology
Knox County
Jalen Blue — Assistant Director for Assessment and Evaluation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Campus Support and Resources)
Ja’Wanda Grant — Chief Innovation Catalyst, JSG Innovation Labs, LLC
Madison County
Kelsea Merriweather — Director of Human Resources, City of Jackson
Sevier County
Thomas King — Sevier County Assessor of Property
Shelby County
Anna Yang — Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine Physician, Regional One Health and University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Courtney Blanchard — Director of Public Affairs, Greater Memphis Chamber
David Oppong — Transportation Planning Program Manager, City of Memphis
Kirbi Robinson — Assistant Dean of Graduate Engineering Studies, The University of Memphis
Nycole S. Alston — Administrator of Support Services, Shelby County Government
Sullivan County
Chelsea Ketron — Director of Marketing, Visit Kingsport
Makenzy Tester — Assistant General Manager, Kingsport Axmen, Boyd Sports
Washington County
Jodi Gilbert — Regional Director, Ayers Foundation Trust
Timothy Lewis — Director for Undergraduate Recruitment, East Tennessee State University
Williamson County
Catherine Smith — Program Partner, The Healing Trust
Cherelle Williams — Interim VP of Compliance & HIPAA Privacy Officer, Mental Health Cooperative
Derrick Solomon — Executive Director, Hard Bargain Association