The theme of this year's issue is “New Beginnings.” This is an election year and Nashville has a new mayor, but leaders rotate on this esteemed list each year. Whether you've been leading a company for decades or weeks, whether it's a high-profile company or a low-profile company, the 2023 list of people in charge calls on you to make your city the best it can be. It represents the people who should.
Diana Burton — Founder, Spokeswoman Diana Barton: The former journalist founded the company of the same name in 2021, which focuses on hospitality clients. She is also the founder of Slow Food Middle Tennessee.
greg bowling — GS&F Board Chairman and CEO: Austin Peay alumnus joined the company in 2011 and, in partnership with EVP Roland Gibbons, oversees the Cummins Station-based marketing agency founded in 1978.
Julia Bonner — Pierce PR President: Founded the company in 2015 and oversees a team focused on the financial services, technology, manufacturing, and architectural design sectors.
jennifer brantley — MP&F Managing Partner: Joined the company as an intern in 1992 and earned the role of partner in 2017. His partners, along with Kate Chinn, Knight Stivender and Mary Elizabeth Davis, lead the firm, which specializes in strategic planning and media relations.
clint brewer — Managing Partner of Imperium Public Strategies: Former Tennessee Government and Politics Editor, City Paper Editor, Beacon Center Executive Director. He will lead the company alongside co-founder Josh Helton.
Jeffrey Buntin Jr. — President and CEO, The Buntin Group: Leads a national company touted as Tennessee's largest communications agency. The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022 and is offering grants through its AdHope charity organization.
Libby Callaway — Founder and President of Callaway: Former New York Post writer and editor who currently oversees a communications agency that provides branding, event execution, marketing, and PR focused on companies in the fashion, beauty, retail, and hospitality sectors. doing.
dave cooly — Director of Public Affairs Cooley: Former lieutenant governor of Tennessee at the time. Phil Bredesen became independent from MP&F in 2009. At his office in Brentwood he manages a team of 14 people.
Beth Siegenthaler Courtney — Managing Partner of Finn Partners Southeast: The public relations veteran assumed the role previously held at DVL Siegenthaler in early 2019. He has teamed up with managing partner Ronald Roberts, a former journalist and MTSU employee, to lead a firm that supports large corporations.
Shari day — Bohan President and CEO: After assuming the top position in 2015, Bohan will become majority owner of the company, whose customers include Dollar General and the city of Pigeon Forge, in 2022. He recently launched a fresh consumables division for small projects.
jamie dunham — Founder and President of Brand Wise Collective: A longtime marketing and branding advisor whose clients include HCA and Twice Daily. Previously he worked at BOHAN and The Buntin Group, and in 2010 he founded Brand Wise. Lipstick He Economy He also produces a podcast.
robert henderson — JumpCrew CEO: Founded in 2016 and continues to grow the company for an outsourced B2B sales team after relocating the national corporate headquarters from New York to Nashville.
monciere holmes jones — MOJO Marketing + PR CEO, former Cigna executive founded MOJO in 2014 and serves clients such as Titans, MetroPCS, and HCA Healthcare. He directs the Jefferson Street Historical Society. In 2023, he helped launch the Young Talented Black Political Action Committee.
jessica howard — Senior Vice President, Integrated Communications, Dalton Agency: Area point representative for a national organization relocating from East Nashville to the Germantown facility. It merged with Bradford Group in 2020 and Anode in 2019.
Shannon Hunt — The Strategy Group Partner: Former Press Secretary Phil Bredesen specializes in corporate and crisis communications and joined the firm in 2018. He previously led the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
Katie Lentil — The Lentile Group CEO: Founded a digital marketing agency and started lobbying for Metro while working on campaigns for historic sites, fashion, design companies, and non-profits. He also serves as COO of IV Studio. Former spokesperson for John Cooper's campaign and office.
Mark McNeely and Kelly Brockman — Founder, McNeely Brockman PR : Founded in 2018, we are a father-daughter duo and boutique PR firm with a strong background in journalism. The company was spun out from MP&F, which McNeely co-founded in 1987.
thomas mcsweeney — Hispanic Media Consultants CEO: Has led the company since 2019 and helps position Spanish-language radio in the Southeast. Previously he worked at TBLC Media radio network.
rosemary proline — President and CEO of Lovell Communications: Joined the company in 2000 and joined the leading healthcare company in 2015. In 2023, the company was acquired by Michigan-based Health Management Associates.
lauren reed — Reed Public Relations President and Founder: Originally from Nashville, Reed founded the company in Wedgwood, Houston over 10 years ago. Clients include Ford, Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-BQ, The Loveless Cafe, and more.
Hannah Schneider and Lisa Field — BRND House Vice President: Former owner of a local PR and branding agency who sold to Laventure in 2023. Currently, I oversee business development, operations, and creative.
sheena seeger — FlyteVu General Manager: Joined the company in 2017 as a project manager and became the company's first general manager in 2023. Laura Hutfless founded her FlyteVu in 2015, which focuses on entertainment for her clients.
susan andrews thompson — The Andrews Agency CEO: Founder and longtime leader of a boutique public relations, event management, and advertising agency. In Nashville he helped open the Donald McDonald House and served as chairman of the board.
abby trotter — Partner at Hall Strategies: Helped start the company in 2004, specializing in economic development, issue campaigns, and technology. Operates large-scale events such as the Southern Book Festival and the Music City Hot Chicken Festival.
Deborah Ballaro — Varallo, President of Public Relations: The dynamic PR veteran is always at every high-profile local event, camera in hand. Known for its strong network of connections.
robert lawrence wilson — Founding Partner of the Culture Shift Team: Former Nissan executive specializing in diversity and equity strategy and deployment. He also co-founded the Tennessee Diversity Consortium.
The theme of this year's issue is “New Beginnings.” This is an election year and Nashville has a new mayor, but leaders rotate on this esteemed list each year. Whether you've been leading a company for decades or weeks, whether it's a high-profile company or a low-profile company, the 2023 list of people in charge calls on you to make your city the best it can be. It represents the people who should.
