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