Leadership Tennessee fosters collaborative, non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, connecting a network of diverse leaders and engaged citizens. Citizens with demonstrated community and professional leadership from every region of the state bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to an in-depth exploration of the complex issues facing Tennessee, with a focus on how leaders can collaborate to effectively address those issues. Leadership Tennessee was founded in 2013 as an initiative of the College of Leadership and Public Service at Lipscomb University.
External link for Leadership Tennessee
718 Thompson Ln
Suite 108-141
Nashville, Tennessee 37204, US
Last week, Leadership Tennessee proudly hosted the inaugural Civic Leadership Awards, honoring leaders whose work has shaped communities across our state. It was a night of celebration, reflection, and gratitude — for the honorees who’ve given so much, and for the sponsors and partners who made this recognition possible. Take a look back at the evening below.
Many thanks to you, Randy Boyd, for your continued support of Leadership Tennessee over the years. Congratulations on being the inaugural recipient of our Civic Leadership Award. Your unwavering commitment to serving Tennessee and investing in its future makes you a most deserving honoree. It was an honor to celebrate your leadership.
Strong leadership brings people together to create meaningful change! Leadership Tennessee plays an important role in connecting leaders from across our state, fostering collaboration and encouraging conversations that shape Tennessee’s future. Grateful for last night’s recognition and to be part of a community working together to create a better state through service, partnership, and impact!
Thank you for your continued support of Leadership Tennessee!
We were honored to attend Leadership Tennessee’s Civic Leadership Award celebration last night! tnAchieves founding board chair Randy Boyd was presented the inaugural Civic Leadership Award for his deep commitment to making Tennessee the best place to live and work. Congratulations on this much-deserved award, Randy! We would also like to congratulate longtime tnAchieves advocate and mentor Kingsport Chamber’s Miles Burdine for being awarded the Purposeful Dialogue Pillar Award. It was a wonderful event, Alfred and team!
Congratulations to our 2026 Leadership Tennessee Purposeful Dialogue Pillar Award recipients! This award recognizes alumni who have created opportunities for meaningful conversations, bridged differences, and demonstrated that respectful dialogue can lead to stronger relationships and better outcomes for Tennessee. Congratulations to: • Miles Burdine (SP Class V), Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce • Arch Trimble (LT NEXT Class VII), Arch About TN • Shannon Haynes (SP Class XII), Ayers Foundation Trust Their commitment to listening, engaging diverse perspectives, and leading with respect exemplifies what Leadership Tennessee stands for. Thank you for helping create a stronger Tennessee through purposeful dialogue. #LeadershipTennessee #PurposefulDialoguePillarAward #CivicLeadership #Leadership #Tennessee
Congratulations to our 2026 Leadership Tennessee Civic Understanding Pillar Award recipients! This award recognizes alumni and organizations that have advanced informed civic engagement, increased public understanding, and fostered meaningful dialogue on the issues that matter most to Tennessee. Congratulations to: • Bill Lyons (SP Class V), Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville • The Sycamore Institute, represented by President Brian Straessle (SP Class X) • ThinkTennessee, led by President Erin Hafkenschiel (SP Class XI) Their work equips Tennesseans with the knowledge and perspective needed to strengthen our communities and our democracy. Thank you for your continued leadership and service. #LeadershipTennessee #CivicUnderstandingPillarAward #CivicLeadership #Leadership #Tennessee
Congratulations to our 2026 Leadership Tennessee Activated Network Pillar Award recipients! This award recognizes alumni who have strengthened Tennessee by building meaningful relationships, fostering collaboration, and activating networks that create lasting impact across our state. Congratulations to: • Jacky Akbari (SP Class VIII), Worthington Advisory • Evann Freeman (LTN Class III & SP Class XI), EPB • Charlie Koon (SP Class VI), Legends Bank Thank you for demonstrating that leadership is not just about who you know - it is about how you bring people together to solve problems, build partnerships, and strengthen Tennessee. #LeadershipTennessee #ActivatedNetworkPillarAwards #LeadersLeading
The Inaugural Civic Leadership Award celebration would not be possible without the partners who support our mission, vision and values. Thanking our Volunteer State Presenting Sponsor, Home Caregivers, for standing behind this inaugural award and All Class Member Reunion from day one. Recognizing our Rocky Top Sponsors — Pinnacle Financial Partners, Ayers Foundation Trust, and the HASLAM FAMILY FOUNDATION INC — for their generosity and long-standing investment in Tennessee's future. Celebrating our Civic Impact Sponsors — the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, The Boyd Foundation, East Tennessee State University, EPB, Partners Development, Scarlett Family Foundation, Stones River Group, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) , and WestStar/University of Tennessee at Martin — for championing leadership development across the state. Thanking Tennessee Valley Authority, our Leadership Tennessee Presenting Corporate Sponsor, and our In-Kind Sponsors — Athens Distributing Company of Tennessee, AllianceBernstein, and Ajax Beverage Distributing — for helping bring this celebration to life. Thanks to your partnership, our inaugural Civic Leadership Award celebration is officially SOLD OUT. Building the Civic Leadership Award together — thank you for investing in Tennessee's future leaders. #LeadershipTennessee #InauguralCivicLeadershipAwards #CivicUnderstanding #PurposefulDialogue #ActivatedNetwork
This week Leadership Tennessee will present the Inaugural Civic Leadership Award to a leader whose commitment to our state runs deep. A member of Leadership Tennessee’s Signature Program (Class I), Randy Boyd went on to serve as President of the University of Tennessee System — leading one of Tennessee’s most vital institutions with vision and dedication. From the earliest days of Leadership Tennessee to the highest levels of higher education leadership, Randy Boyd’s journey reflects exactly what this award was created to celebrate. Join us in congratulating Randy Boyd — the 2026 inaugural recipient of the Civic Leadership Award. 🎉 #CivicLeadershipAward #LeadershipTennessee #SignatureProgram #ClassONE
Congratulations to our President & CEO, Alfred Degrafinreid II, EdD, JD, MPA, on 4 years leading Leadership Tennessee! A Signature Program Class VII graduate himself, Dr. Degrafinreid has spent the last four years championing statewide civic leadership, deepening our impact, and building bridges across Tennessee’s communities and institutions. Grateful for his vision and leadership — here’s to many more years ahead! #LeadershipTennessee #LeadersLeading #PurposefulDialogue #ActivatedNetwork #CivicUnderstanding
“Oh, the places you'll go." Four years ago today, I had the privilege of becoming President & CEO of Leadership Tennessee — an organization that first shaped me as a proud Signature Program Class VII graduate. Those words have proven more literal — and more meaningful — than I ever could have imagined. From Memphis to Mountain City. From the Cumberland Plateau to the Tennessee River Valley. From boardrooms to community centers, campuses to the Tennessee State Capitol — these four years have taken me to every corner of this great state, alongside some of the most remarkable leaders Tennessee has to offer. As I reflect on this milestone, I find myself thinking less about what we have accomplished and more about what we have been entrusted to build. These four years have reinforced that leadership is ultimately stewardship. It is creating opportunities for others to lead, strengthening relationships across differences, and building institutions that will continue to serve long after our own chapter has ended. Some of the most meaningful work is often the least visible. Listening before speaking. Convening people who may not otherwise sit at the same table. Navigating challenges with purpose rather than panic. Investing in systems, culture, and people so the organization is stronger tomorrow than it is today. I am especially grateful to our Board of Directors, my incredible colleagues, alumni, sponsors, partners, and nearly 1,000 leaders across Tennessee who continue to believe our state is stronger when we invest in one another. Every Signature Program session, LT NEXT cohort, TENN Talk, alumni gathering, and conversation reminds me that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and action. Leadership Tennessee exists to foster civic understanding, purposeful dialogue, and an activated network of leaders committed to leaving Tennessee better than we found it. Being entrusted to help steward that mission has been one of the greatest honors of my career. The work continues, and I could not be more optimistic about what lies ahead. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here is to the next chapter — and all the places we will go together. #LeadershipTennessee #LeadershipMatters #CivicLeadership #Tennessee
Leadership Tennessee is proud to announce the members of our Signature Program Class XIII (2026-2027). From Anderson County to Shelby County, from healthcare to higher education, from business to government, from entrepreneurship to nonprofit leadership, this remarkable group reflects the very best of our state. Fifty-two leaders representing every Grand Division of Tennessee have accepted the challenge to learn, lead, and serve together. At Leadership Tennessee, we believe that our state is strongest when people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together for meaningful dialogue and a shared commitment to Tennessee's future. Class XIII embodies that belief. Over the next ten months, these leaders will travel the state, engage with complex issues, build lasting relationships, and strengthen an activated network dedicated to making Tennessee an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. We are continually reminded that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about being willing to listen, learn, and collaborate in pursuit of the common good. Congratulations to the outstanding members of Leadership Tennessee's Signature Program Class XIII. We cannot wait to see what this class will accomplish together. Welcome to the Leadership Tennessee family! #LeadershipTennessee #ClassXIII #LeadersLeading #LeadershipMatters #ActivatedNetwork #PurposefulDialogue #CivicUnderstanding