NASHVILLE, TN, July 1, 2021 — The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing multiple staff promotions and new hires.
Emily Boylan serves as VP of administration. In this role, she oversees the organization’s finance, human resources, facilities, IT, operations and board functions. She joined the Chamber in 2008 as special assistant to the president.
Jeffrey Burris joined the Chamber in January as coordinator of applied research. Previously, he served as a research and analytics intern at the Greater Nashville Regional Council.
Stephanie Coleman is chief talent development officer, where she serves as a member of the Chamber’s executive leadership team responsible for the overall financial health, strategic management and day-to-day operations of the organization. As chief talent development officer, she leads collaborative efforts to develop talent supply solutions for the region. Coleman has served in a variety of roles at the Chamber, most recently as chief growth officer. She joined the Chamber in 2008.
Kimmi Hayes joined the Chamber in April as senior director of accounting where she oversees the organization’s day-to-day accounting functions. She previously served as controller for Davidson Academy and The Crichton Group in Nashville.
Haley Hatchell serves as director of small business and growth initiatives where she leads the organization’s programs tailored toward small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as industry-specific programming. Previously, she served as manager of small business programs. She joined the Chamber in 2019 as manager of events.
Denise Hoolhorst is director of member relations where she oversees the Chamber’s membership database, provides support for retention and new member acquisition, and assists in managing the membership and growth revenue budgets and forecasts. Previously, she served as manager of member relations. She joined the Chamber’s member relations team in 2015.
Melia Leedy moved from her previous role as VP of economic development to VP of member and investor relations. In this role, she is responsible for revenue generation and engagement of the Chamber’s 2,000 members and 250 partnership investors. She began her career at the Chamber as an intern in 2008 and joined the economic development team as a project manager in 2009.
Landon Matney is art director for the Chamber where he leads all visual concept development, branding and visual execution of integrated advertising and marketing campaigns. Previously, he was graphic designer and brand manager. Matney has worked at the Chamber since 2016.
Rita McDonald is chief growth officer, where she serves as a member of the Chamber’s executive leadership team responsible for the overall financial health, strategic management and day-to-day operations of the organization. As chief growth officer, she leads the Chamber’s member relations, investor relations and member value teams. Rita has been with the Chamber for more than 30 years, most recently as VP of member and investor relations.
Lori Odom is SVP of economic development. In this role she is responsible for oversight of the Chamber’s business marketing, recruitment, retention and expansion initiatives. She previously served as vice president of international business since 2014.
Victoria Payne is VP of metro policy where she leads and implements the Chamber’s efforts in relationship-building, initiatives, programs and lobbying in Metro Nashville/Davidson County to serve the organization’s strategic objectives. Previously, she served as policy manager. She began her career at the Chamber as an intern in 2014 and joined the policy team as a coordinator in 2015.
Ben Simpson joined the Chamber as VP of state policy in February where he leads and implements the Chamber’s efforts in relationship-building, initiatives, programs and lobbying at the Tennessee state legislature. He previously served as assistant director of government relations and attorney with the Tennessee Medical Association, and prior to that served as the legislative liaison and attorney with the Tennessee Department of Health.
Carlie Vowell is manager of economic development where she provides project management support for the economic development team. She joined the Chamber in 2019 as economic development coordinator.
Laura Ward serves as SVP of talent development where she oversees and implements talent and education strategies and systems change across p-20 into employment. She has worked at the Chamber since 2016. Previously, she held nonprofit leadership positions in advocacy, career development, human resources, volunteer management and public relations.
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About Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing more than 2,000 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2030 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work and do business. Partnership 2030 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2030 investors and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Bass, Berry & Sims, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Community Health Systems, Gresham Smith and Regions. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.
