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FROM THE EDITORS Thank you for joining the Nashville Post’s Most Powerful Women luncheon. This is truly one of our favorite events of the year as we celebrate women in our community who have achieved so much in their careers, often while managing family, philanthropy and other additional commitments. These are the women of Nashville who work hard to create a brighter future for our city. As the first female editor of the Post, I’m proud to continue our recognition of the ladies leading our city today. For over two decades, Nfocus — founded by local visionary Herbert Fox — has lifted the veil on the social set and spotlighted those in the community who support local non-profit organizations. In our newest issue, you will find conversations with women dedicated to the type of volunteer work on which Nashville’s philanthropic scene is built. We are grateful to all those here today who have shared their time with us. We thank each one of you in the room today for your dedication to making Music City a better place. Pick up the latest copy of Nfocus today and Nashville Post’s Leaders issue, honoring more local trailblazers. To learn more about these women, check out their stories in this program and on our websites, and enjoy the conversation on stage. Nicolle S. Praino Editor-in-chief, Nashville Post Janet Kurtz Editor-in-chief, Nfocus

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LINDSEY COX LaunchTN CEO values connections, mentorship while leading innovation and economic growth across the state BY JULIANNE AKERS

s a child, LaunchTN CEO Lindsey Cox never thought she’d be leading one of Tennessee’s biggest hubs for innovation. Cox grew up in rural Livingston, Tenn., often frequenting Dale Hollow Lake after spending her days carhopping at the local Sonic Drive-In. She then attended Tennessee Tech University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration degree. Cox initially planned to apply for Ph.D. programs to become a college accounting professor, but decided to get a job as a way to make money in the meantime. This led her to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, where she worked as a legislative accountant and managed various boards — a position that gave her insight into the world of public sector work. “Government has this kind of huge way that it plays a role that maybe I didn’t fully appreciate as a 23-year-old up until that point,” Cox says. “[It] can direct funding, and it can support projects, and it can help these communities that really need something [to] grow and change.” She found her way to LaunchTN, where she worked for more than six years in several manager and director roles. It was there that she received advice from her longtime mentor and former LaunchTN CEO Charlie Brock that if she wanted to eventually sit in the CEO position, she would have to leave. Cox did just that, and headed to Washington, D.C., to work in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She later

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returned to Tennessee to serve as CEO of The Company Lab in Chattanooga before eventually coming back to LaunchTN in 2022, where she currently serves as the head of the nonprofit, public-private partnership. Her work is encouraging economic growth by sparking connections between companies, investors, researchers and government. Throughout the winding path that led her to LaunchTN, Cox says she’s learned that power and leadership are not always the same. “I think you can have power without being a leader, or you can have power and kind of inadvertently find yourself in leadership,” Cox says. “And then I do think there are some people that just really want to lead. It sometimes feels a little self-involved, but I love being in charge, truly. I like making decisions. I trust my gut to a really high degree. When I feel confident about something, I’m a believer in it, and I will stand by it.” “When you’re knowledgeable and confident and willing to stand by your decisions, then I think that’s what makes a great leader,” she adds. While she is based in Nashville, Cox says managing an organization that serves the whole state can be challenging, as there are endless opportunities for growth and innovation across East, Middle and West Tennessee. “There’s so much happening in Nashville, but then [it’s a balance] also wanting to be really present and involved across the state as well, and feeling like I have a

really good working knowledge of what’s going on in those communities,” she says. “It does feel like there’s something new all the time, whether that’s a new industry or a new federal opportunity or new leadership within the state or whatever that may be. We’re needing to kind of orient around ensuring that we can talk about the value of LaunchTN and that translates across all of these audiences and all of these opportunities.” She credits much of her career growth and success to a variety of local mentors, one of them Abby Trotter, partner at Hall Strategies and executive director at the Life Science Tennessee Foundation, whom she first connected with by asking Trotter to get a coffee about 10 years ago. “That’s just been such a meaningful relationship for me, and then also just some of the women on our board. Julia Polk has served on our board for a long time, and she’s certainly a pillar of the Nashville community, and always has been a really good sounding board for me, and really I feel so thoughtful with her advice and feedback, and I appreciate it,” she says. “I appreciate it all. Give me all the advice, feedback, wisdom. I will distill what I need from it.” Cox also shared more about her career journey in the public sector, and how she learned to lead by taking a chance on something new in an episode of the Nashville Post Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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NATALIE DICKSON Tennessee Oncology CEO stays true to roots in ever-evolving world of medicine BY HANNAH HERNER

atalie Dickson knew from the age of 4 that she wanted to be part of the medical field. She sat in front of her family’s shared television and watched the 1970s series Marcus Welby, M.D. on the only available channel. She was inspired by the fictional Welby, a family doctor known for his kindly bedside manner. Dickson, now a physician, has worked for more than 25 years at Tennessee Oncology, starting as a medical oncologist and hematologist, and later serving as chief medical officer and chief strategy officer before being named president and CEO in 2024. Her transition came at a key time for the company, as it opened a new flagship facility in Midtown in 2025. Even in the organization’s top spot, Dickson still sees patients one day per week. “It just keeps me grounded, and it really reminds me every time why we make the decisions that we make,” Dickson says. “It keeps me focused on the patient, and ultimately everything we do is for that patient.” Dickson says physicians are de facto leaders for their patients, but notes that she had a lot to learn to transition to administrative roles — operational skills and how to lead a team among them. She attended Vanderbilt University and earned a degree in healthcare administration to hone her leadership skills, but she maintains her naturally reserved and compassionate nature. “I hope that young women will see that you don’t necessarily have to change yourself to be a leader, to be a successful leader,” she tells the Post. “You need to hold on to your values. You need to remain empathetic, and you need to help create opportunities for others.”

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The rise of artificial intelligence has caused anxiety among staff members, but Dickson constantly reminds them: AI can never replace compassion and care. It’s one part optimism and one part experience in the ever-changing field. Doing something out of fear usually backfires, she says. For example, fewer young people went into the field of radiology in the past several years for fear that AI would eliminate the job. Today, the medical field is experiencing a shortage of radiologists. “I try to think that maybe AI won’t necessarily eliminate jobs in healthcare,” she says. “It will probably help remove administrative burdens so that clinicians can actually spend more time caring for people. If you don’t have someone doing a lot of mundane, meaningless tasks because that has been removed by AI, then they’re actually spending more time face to face with patients.” Perhaps especially in the medical field, executives need to be willing to evolve as technology changes around them. Dickson says she believes that perseverance through challenges is more important than raw talent, anyway, and more likely to lead to lasting success. “You need to remain curious, and you need to learn just constantly,” she says. “I don’t think anyone will ever reach their peak knowledge or their peak performance, because things are always changing.” You won’t catch Dickson living by that antiquated saying, “You can have it

all.” She reminds young women to have grace for themselves as the lines between work and home success oscillate. Dickson, who has three children, notes that caretaking of the children and family will default to women without clear guidelines. She advises younger women early in their careers and partnerships to be clear about who is responsible for each task. “We have to recognize that women cannot be truly successful if they’re expected to succeed on the job and be the lead at home, right?” she says. “We have to recognize that in partnerships, it should be a partnership, and that each person in that relationship should take responsibility for portions of everything that you’re doing together.” She continues, “You also have to be kind to yourself and recognize that you can’t do everything. When you are really doing your amazing work at home, your job is going to have to take a little bit of a step back. And when you’re really cranking out at work, then your home is going to have to. Don’t beat yourself up for not excelling at both at any one time.” Dickson also shared more about her childhood in Jamaica, and how she learned to keep her cool in high-pressure medical scenarios in an episode of the Nashville Post Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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KIM JAMES Rotary Club of Nashville executive director embraces personal and professional success BY MADELEINE BRADFORD

n her multifaceted career, nonprofit veteran Kim James has honed a vital skill — harnessing her power from within. “Power, from my standpoint, is about owning who you are and being fully confident in any space that you’re in,” she says. This self-assurance helps her uplift others as newly minted executive director of the Rotary Club of Nashville. Founded in 1914, the organization provides service and networking opportunities for more than 500 business and civic leaders. With more than 18 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, program management, donor relations and communications, James brings a refined vision for Rotary’s operations — one that is equitable, effectively supports partners and creates ample opportunities. “I was not a Rotarian and didn’t have access to Rotary from a membership perspective prior,” she says. “Because I have fresh eyes coming into that space, I see things in a more creative and innovative way.” In supporting a range of personalities and needs, James helps members strengthen their leadership skills, leverage their connections and deepen their understanding of Nashville’s community. “Any time I speak with anyone at Rotary, I am amazed at the fact that they have chosen to give their time, talents and treasure into a place of service, and that every week, they come in fellowship with each other and try to find ways to make Nashville better,” she says. Before joining the Rotary team, James served as CEO of Young Leaders Council, where she helped program participants, graduates and alumni identify their

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passions — a drive that guides her work to this day. While seeking to inspire others, James herself finds inspiration in Rotary members’ distinct perspectives. “I think a lot of people have a very old view of what the Rotary Club, in general, is about,” says James. “But Rotary Club of Nashville is a very diverse group of individuals who represent every industry [and] business entity in Nashville.” James’ propensity for leadership dates back to high school, where she was voted president of her freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes — titles she didn’t actively campaign for. But her peers saw something in her that she hadn’t yet identified. “When I was not trying to be a leader, people believed in me, and they propelled me into a leadership position,” she says. Over time, James has assumed guiding roles both professionally and personally. As program manager for the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, she managed scholarships, volunteers, grant processes and IT requests — all while raising three small children. This delicate balance required her to think on her feet, adapt to new territory and accept that not every day is perfect. “It was a bit of a struggle bus in terms of being a working mom,” she says. “But even though my task was huge and my home life was very busy, I thrived in that space and found ways to do things that my predecessor had not done.” Through this process, James learned to identify and focus on her priorities.

“I do not know balance,” she jokes. “We have not found each other. But what I do try to do is prioritize the things that are important. … Sometimes, you do have to step back.” While James believes people can grow into leaders, she attests that some are born to take charge — a joyful truth she discovered through having children. “My daughter was born nine minutes after we got to the hospital, and she came into this world with a mohawk,” she says. “I knew in that moment that this was a little boss lady, and she has not disappointed.” James’ own leadership style is guided by empathy, no matter what room she’s in. “I come into any conversation, whether it’s the CEO of Caterpillar or it’s with the head of the maintenance staff, in a place of kindness and genuine care and concern,” she says. The most rewarding part of her work? Creating a more connected Nashville through researching what’s happening in the community and nonprofit space. “My hope for Rotary is that we continue to grow, that we continue to become more and more diverse, that we become a place where people can understand that there is a place for you to lean in,” she says. James also shared more about what Rotary is like today, and how she learned to take a chance on herself in an episode of the Nashville Post Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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RYAN WOOD Colliers market leader leads in a new industry with detail-oriented mindset, zest for community BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

yan Wood says she surprised herself by her career transition to commercial real estate from finance. Wood, now executive managing director for Colliers’ Nashville market, previously served 17 years in the financial services sector, most recently with UBS. In mid-2025, she decided to leave her finance career without knowing what would follow. But as the Colliers opportunity presented itself, Wood’s decision mirrored one she made earlier in her career when she pivoted from working in a corporate setting in New York to looking for a job in a smaller market in South Carolina. “What I realized in that moment is I didn’t have to leave, but I could use all the skill sets and actually turn them into something different,” Wood says. “The financial advisors, they didn’t need me to build an investment portfolio. They didn’t need me to run a financial plan. They could do that. What they needed was someone who could connect them to the firm and deliver resources to clients, be an ambassador in the community, help them build their teams, help them think about clients with a different perspective. And so really, in reality, it was a perfect fit.” And now, the transition from one industry to another presents the same circumstances. “I am working with expert brokers. They don’t need me to help redline a lease. What they need help with is being connected to the firm and having me out in the community, building relationships, helping them think about

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clients in a different way. So I feel like I do bring that new perspective, and something that seemed completely impossible has become possible and it’s been a lot of fun,” Wood says. While the switch to commercial real estate after a background in finance might seem odd from an outsider’s perspective, Wood says her managing director position for a real estate company is about leadership and growing a team to reach goals — skills she has honed in her previous roles and throughout her life. “I’ve always wanted to bring people together ever since I was a child,” Wood says. “My mom told me I was a snowball, like you roll it down the hill and you pick up more snow. She was like, ‘That’s what you do with people. You never let them go from any stage of your life.’” Wood has always been a detail-oriented planner, tracking the minute-by-minute of each plan from prom night logistics to managing the office of Nashville brokers. When planning for a full team strategy, she says it’s a balance of the larger vision and minutiae. “If you don’t really understand the details, some of that big picture stuff might just seem insurmountable,” Wood says. “So I remind myself of that too. See the big picture, but make sure it’s possible and that people can do it.” Outside the office, Wood is an adventurer with a list of travel destinations in mind, a philanthropist with her hand in

many local organizations, and a mother with two little girls at home. “One of the things I’m not good at is saying no to things,” Wood says. “I’m more of a ‘yes girl,’ but being more intentional about what I’m saying yes to because time does go fast and [my children are] only going to be 2 and 4 for so long. So how do you really embrace those special moments or bring them in to some of the other things that I’m working on, but really be present at home.” Wood says women are expected to bear a lot more of the mental load these days than men, even as more females are climbing the ladder. But having a supportive partner and opening up to assistance where it can be found is important. “I do think society’s changing. There’s so many more women in the workforce,” she says. “You can actually see yourself now in some of these roles that you couldn’t see yourself before. I think what a lot of those women will say too is, you just have to ask for help. It’s OK to have a network of people who help you.” And her meticulous nature keeps things in order — “there’s no problem with the checklist.” Wood also shared more about the commercial real estate industry and how she learned to run toward what excites her in an episode of the Nashville Post Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

M E E T T H E M O D E R AT O R

DEANA IVEY Deana Ivey is President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., where she has helped transform Nashville into one of the world’s leading leisure and convention destinations. During her more than two decades with the organization, she has played a key role in building the Music City brand, creating Nashville’s signature July 4 and New Year’s Eve celebrations, and helping secure Super Bowl LXVI for Nashville in 2030. Under her leadership, Nashville now welcomes 17.4 million annual visitors who generate $11.6 billion in direct visitor spending.

A strong community doesn’t happen by chance. It is shaped by people who choose to participate — those who lend their time, expertise, resources and voices to the organizations and causes that make Nashville a better place to live. This year’s Model Behavior honorees understand that civic responsibility extends far beyond professional success. They serve on boards, raise critical funds, champion causes, open doors and bring others to the table. Their efforts touch nearly every corner of our community. To learn more about these women and the organizations they represent, pick up the September issue of Nfocus or visit nfocusmagazine.com. PH OTOS BY TAUS HA DICK INS O N

Julia Baker The Women’s Fund

Christiane Buggs

Caroline Cook

Carrie Kitko

PENCIL

The Next Door Recovery

Nashville Wine Auction

Renee Bates

Jennifer Biefel

LaDonna Boyd

The Chestnut Group

Nashville PBS

The R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund

Trish Munro

Alice Hudson Pell

Ciona Rouse

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

TennGreen Land Conservancy

OZ Arts Nashville

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