Nashville, Tenn. (July 23, 2024) – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville recently announced the 2024 winners for the Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELA). NELA recognizes Middle Tennessee’s young professionals under the age of 40 for significant accomplishments in their chosen career field, as well as their commitment and contribution to the community.
NELA recognizes up to four finalists and one winner in 17 industry categories: Architecture, Engineering and Construction; Arts, Entertainment and Music Business; Entrepreneurship; Community Service and Nonprofit; Education; Environment and Sustainability; Finance; Government and Public Affairs; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Resources; Legal Services; Medical and Healthcare Services; Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing; Real Estate Services; Wellness; and Technology.
Judges of each industry category are leaders in their respective field who review applications and select the finalists and winner based on each applicant’s answers to essay questions, level of professional achievement, demonstrated leadership and community impact.
YP Nashville is presented by the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University. The awards are supported by the Nashville Post.
View the program, finalists, and winners HERE.
2024 NELAs Winners
Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
Taniesha Westbrook- Shop Black Fest
Arts, Entertainment and Music Business
Gina Sicilia- Self Employed
Community Service and Nonprofit
Virginia Ezell Briley- Belmont University
Entrepreneurship
Danielle McGee- Black Business Boom
Financial Services
Jessica Barrett- LBMC
Hospitality and Tourism
Taylor Guardino Engle- Nashville Wine Auction
Legal Services
Jianne McDonald-Callaway – K&L Gates LLP
Real Estate Services
Joshua Haston- LDG Development
Wellness
Rosa Castano- Workplace Stress Solutions
Architecture, Engineering and Construction
Margret Anne Byerly- Enterprise Solutions
Business Services
Celisa Webster- Luminary
Education
Colin Hunt- Lockeland Design Center
Environment and Sustainability
Nick Cunningham- Tennessee Valley Authority
Government and Public Affairs
Antonio Carroll- Nashville Electric Service
Human Resources
Natalie Thibault- Amazon
Medical and Healthcare Services
Charles Avent- Parallon/ HCA Healthcare
Technology
Elliot Johnson- Instacart