Welcome new Executive Director, Kim James!

Welcome new Executive Director, Kim James!

We are excited to share that we have selected Kim James as our new Executive Director. She brings more than 15 years of experience to the role and has held leadership roles across the nonprofit, corporate, and higher education sectors.

Kim formerly served as the Grant Partnerships Manager at Tennessee SCORE and is a graduate of YLC Class 49. She is a thoughtful, seasoned leader whose vision and energy make her the right leader for the organization as we celebrate our 35th year and look to the future. As a graduate of the program, she is deeply familiar with our mission and knows the impact our work has across the community and beyond.

James has extensive community relations, program management, and communications experience. She is a graduate of Fisk University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in financial economics before obtaining a master’s degree in business administration from Tennessee State University in 2003.

In 2018, James received the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois’ Woman Leader of the Year Award. She is also a 2018 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School.

“After conducting an extensive search, we are pleased to welcome Kim as our new executive director,” Joshua Livingston, Young Leaders Council board chair, said in the release. “Kim is a thoughtful, seasoned leader whose vision and energy make her the right leader for our organization. As a graduate of the program, she is deeply familiar with our mission and knows the impact our work has across our community and beyond.”

The board also thanks Robinson Regen, our interim executive director, for her leadership over the past few months as we conducted a thorough search process. Robinson has kept the organization running smoothly, launched our virtual fall classes and been instrumental in preparing for next month’s Leadership Luncheon. She will also help transition Kim into her role over the coming weeks.

Please join us in welcoming Kim and kicking off this exciting new chapter for Young Leaders Council.

Welcome our New Executive Director, Lisa Shacklett

Welcome our New Executive Director, Lisa Shacklett

Young Leaders Council is thrilled to welcome Lisa Clark Shacklett as our new executive director, replacing Diane L Hayes who stepped down earlier this year after close to 24 years leading YLC through substantial growth. A native Nashvillian, Lisa was previously a senior consultant with Hayde & Co. and will continue operating The Wedding Plate, a vintage china and glassware rental boutique serving the wedding and events industry in Middle Tennessee and beyond. Lisa spent 11 years in various roles at Lipscomb University. During her tenure as assistant dean in the College of Business, she was responsible for a 420 percent graduate business enrollment increase and became an avid Young Leaders Council supporter. Active in Tennessee Wedding and Event Specialists Association, National Association of Catering Executives, Cable, and Best Buddies Tennessee, she was an inaugural board member of the National Association of Women MBA’s Tennessee chapter and recognized as a 2014 Nashville Business Journal Woman of Influence. Lisa earned a BS and MBA from Lipscomb University and is certified as a Predictive Index practitioner.