Dec 17, 2021 | All Alumni, YLC News
Jonny Woo is a 2020 graduate of the Young Leaders Council Belmont – Massey Cohort and currently serves as a Human Resources Business Partner for Change Healthcare here in Nashville. Jonny currently serves on the Board of Directors for Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center and is the President of the Associate Board for The Nashville Ronald McDonald House. Recently, YLC caught up with Jonny to see what he’s up to and to talk about how his educational journey at Belmont and training from YLC helped to shape his success as a nonprofit board leader.
How did the YLC program help you leverage your learning experience at Belmont to make you a more effective nonprofit leader?
One of the biggest takeaways from my time at Belmont was the power of effective & genuine networking. Networking is one of those terms that is constantly thrown around (which is good) but the key is to have a purpose behind that networking. YLC allowed me to practice that skill by providing plenty of outlets through the different instructors and opportunities to network with alumni. I specifically remember the topic of Fundraising being taught by Kim Carpenter Drake and all of the new strategies I learned about effective ways to align your networking and fundraising skills. This, for me, was a wonderful example of how YLC helps individuals build specific board leadership skills on top of the educational foundation I received at Belmont. Both experiences helped me to become a more effective nonprofit leader.
What did you enjoy most about your YLC experience?
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the participants within my specific Belmont – Massey Cohort. It was fun to be around such incredible leaders who not only had the shared experience of graduating from Belmont’s Jack C. Massey College of Business but also have a passion for serving the many nonprofits around Nashville. Additionally, I enjoyed the specific content that was taught by the instructors in each class, which focused on the specific guidelines on how nonprofit boards should operate. Two classes that stood out to me were “Nonprofit Financials” with Becky Harrell and “Legal Responsibilities of Board Members” with Trace Blankenship. I remember diving deep into some P&L statements and documents, which is an important thing for a nonprofit board member to understand.
What advice would you share with other young professionals who would like to become nonprofit board leaders? How can YLC help them make that step?
The best advice I can give is to lean into what you are passionate about and utilize your network. Long story short I had no idea that Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (MWCHC), the nonprofit organization on which I served as a board intern and was eventually voted in as a full member of the board, existed prior to my YLC experience. I was able to leverage the mentor relationships that I have in the Nashville Healthcare industry to connect with MWCHC as a YLC intern and support a mission that aligned with my professional passion of improving healthcare for everyone. YLC provides invaluable networking opportunities and helps match participants with organizations where they can help build awareness and make a lasting impact.
Nov 30, 2021 | YLC News
Christopher Haigler is a graduate of the Young Leaders Council Nashville Class 77 Cohort and serves as Trust Officer at Southeastern Trust Company. As a recent graduate of the program, Christopher shared his experience with the program this semester and how the training he received has prepared him to make a lasting contribution as a nonprofit board leader.
As a Trust Officer with the Southeastern Trust Company, what do you enjoy most about your work?
As a Trust Officer, I manage and administer Trust accounts, Investment Management accounts and qualified retirement accounts for our clients in a multi-family office setting. I truly enjoy coming to work each day as each trust account, client and matter is unique and presents an entirely different challenge from the day before. I take great pride in knowing my career revolves around assisting our clients to foster and deliver their family’s legacy.
What inspired you to want to participate in the Young Leaders Council training program?
I was referred to YLC from a friend and after researching the mission of the organization, I knew participating in YLC would be the foundation I was seeking to contribute to the nonprofit community in Middle Tennessee. YLC provides an exceptional curriculum to mold an individual with passion for giving back into a confident contribution to the nonprofit community. I am looking forward to supporting YLC in different capacities in the future.
As a new YLC grad, what have you enjoyed most this semester? Did you have a favorite session or topic?
I absolutely enjoyed each presentation this semester. Each topic provided an experience tailored to a specific objective to better prepare me for nonprofit board experience. I am most appreciative of the presenters and facilitators of the sessions as real-world scenarios were discussed to shape our learning experiences to be relatable and provide the highest impact. My favorite session was, Planning for Sustainable Impact. Each session throughout the semester has prepared me to tackle individual matters, and I feel the Planning for Sustainable Impact material concentrated on leveraging techniques mentioned in previous sessions and transforming the ideas into measurable and effective contributions to the organization.
As you prepare to transition into your board internship, do you feel more prepared and empowered to be successful as a nonprofit board leader?
The YLC curriculum has done a terrific job preparing me to confidently contribute as a nonprofit board member. I am a true believer in the saying, “confidence is key”. The YLC training program detailed the key subjects to lay the foundation for nonprofit board participation and provided me the confidence needed to take the next step and contribute to the community. Each YLC graduate knows they have a storied network of resources to depend on as they begin their journey and that is invaluable.
What advice would you give to any young professional looking to engage more in the work of our Middle Tennessee nonprofit community?
In short, follow your passion. Determine what mission in the community is your passion and then become involved with the organization that you believe provides, or has the potential to provide, the most impact toward your selected mission. Be ready to listen, roll your sleeves up and contribute to the organization in whatever way is needed. Remember that the day you wake up and no longer have passion for your mission is the day you are no longer providing the drive and conviction the organization requires to thrive. There is nothing wrong with realizing this as everyone evolves, just ensure that you are still in the right place and don’t be hesitant to make a change when you feel the need.
Nov 26, 2021 | YLC News
As published by tnledger.com
Young Leaders Council has named Maria Amado as its 2021 Young Leader of the Year Award recipient for her commitment to making a difference in the nonprofit community.
The award is presented annually to one YLC alumnus who has used the skills developed through the program to positively impact the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community while staying engaged with YLC.
Amado serves as a partner at A&G Financial Management and as board president of the Community Resource Center. She is a graduate of Nashville Class 37.
YLC also recognized Joshua Livingston, relationship executive, Healthcare Services at J.P. Morgan, with the Legacy of Leadership Award, given to an outstanding alumnus for demonstrated excellence and commitment, leadership and excellence to Young Leader Council and the nonprofit community.
It also recognizes his commitment to the long-term success of the organization.
He is a graduate of YLC class 60 and the organization’s immediate past board chair. Livingston serves as board chair for the governing board of Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee and on the board and executive committee of Leadership Health Care.
Sep 17, 2021 | All Alumni, News
Young Leaders Council is proud to announce the fall participants in the Nashville Class 77 and Williamson County Cohorts, two of five cohorts hosted this year. YLC also facilitates board leadership training in the spring through the Nashville, Junior League of Nashville, and the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University Cohorts. Seventy-nine young professionals from diverse professional and ethnic backgrounds are represented in the program this fall, which kicked-off officially on September 8 with a celebratory opening session and inspirational keynote address from Derek Young, YLC alumnus and president/CEO of Young Motivation Group.
Meet The
2021 Fall Cohorts
Aug 19, 2021 | All Alumni, Williamson Chamber Alumni
Young Leaders Council is honored to have trained over 2700 dynamic community leaders since 1985. Our remarkable alumni have taken the knowledge gained through the program and used their skills to make a lasting impact for the Middle Tennessee community. This month we are spotlighting Abby Bass, graduate of the YLC 2016 Williamson County Cohort. We recently caught up with Abby and asked her to share what she’s currently up to and reflect on her YLC experience.
What is your current role with Williamson, Inc. and what do you enjoy most about your work?
As Vice President of Events and Communications, I love creating meaningful events for the business community and finding business professionals with incredible leadership lessons to share. I am most energized when I get to create and collaborate on brand-new events like developing Williamson Forward, Leadership YP, Outlook Williamson and coming soon Leadership DEI to name a few.
As a 2016 graduate of the YLC Williamson County Cohort, how have you used the knowledge and connections gained through that experience to further your community leadership goals?
I understand and appreciate the important role that non-profits and volunteerism has in the community. I continue to serve Williamson County, outside of work, through Friends of Franklin Parks, 100 Women Who Care, Center Stage Society of TPAC, and PTO at Winstead Elementary.
What did you enjoy most about your time in the YLC program?
I thoroughly enjoyed my internship on the board of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). As a board intern, I was able to see the inner workings of a large operation non-profit that serves the entire region through the visual arts. The experience was priceless! TPAC is a community asset that will have my continued support for all they do for middle Tennessee. Also, I attended the TPAC Gala 2018 as their silent auction chair, and that event is 10 out of 10 if you ever have a chance to attend. I highly recommend it!
What advice would you share with young professionals interested in participating in the YLC training program?
Be sure to select a non-profit that you are passionate about. That passion will allow you to leave board meetings energized. Also, get to know your classmates. Several of my classmates and I stay connected even now – five years later! It is an experience you won’t regret.
YLC and Williamson, Inc. have partnered since 2013 to host the Williamson County Cohort. Through this partnership, YLC has effectively trained over 180 young professionals that reside or work in the Williamson County area since its inception. Matt Largen (President & CEO) and Cortni Beardsley (Communications & Events Manager) of Williamson, Inc. are also YLC alumni. Click here to learn more about the YLC training program or to apply for the Fall Williamson County Cohort.
