About

Inspiring and Equipping Leaders

Leadership Knoxville programs help leaders across a spectrum of ages, levels and sectors deeply explore our region and discover ways to get involved. We help members build relationships and hone skills to make a positive impact.

Our Vision

Every leader – A servant leader
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About

Inspiring and Equipping Leaders

Leadership Knoxville programs help leaders across a spectrum of ages, levels and sectors deeply explore our region and discover ways to get involved. We help members build relationships and hone skills to make a positive impact.

Our Vision

Every leader – A servant leader
women standing together for leadership knoxville taking pictures

OUR MISSION

We build a stronger Knoxville by developing people and groups, leading to a greater community and region.

OUR VALUES

  • Service
  • Accountability
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Community & Belonging

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OUR VALUES

  • Service
  • Accountability
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Diversity & Inclusiveness

    • Our Team

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    Tammy White

    President & CEO

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    John Cherry

    Vice President, Community Leadership

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    Samantha Edwards Lacy

    Director, Strategic
    Partnerships & Engagement

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    Lorie Matthews

    Director of Programming, Consulting & Training
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    Bridget Greer

    Director, Communications & Youth Programs

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    Karly Baker

    Office Manager

    Board of Directors 2026–2027

    Chair

    Jan Brown (LK ’14/IK ’09)

    Vice President
    People & Culture CAO/Human Resources

    Tennessee Valley Authority

    Chair-Elect

    Frank Rothermel (LK ’99)

    President

    Denark Construction

    Secretary

    Cheryl Rice (LK ’17)

    Attorney / Shareholder

    Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis, P.C

    Treasurer

    Carol Carden (LK ’22)

    Principal

    PYA

    Past Chair

    Jerry Bodie (LK ’05)

    Executive Vice President & COO

    White Realty & Service Corporation

    Governance Chair

    Lamont Belk (LK ’23)

    Senior Manager, Employment Law

    TVA

    Development Chair

    Buddy Heins (LK ’04)

    Vice President

    Merit Construction

    Community Impact Chair

    Javiette Samuel (LK ’21)

    Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Community Engagement and Outreach

    UT Knoxville

    Alumni Chair

    Nancy Barger (LK ’18/IK ’15)

    Owner, Barger Concepts LLC, Co-Host, Joey & Nancy, WIVK-FM

    Selection Chair

    Hallerin Hilton Hill (LK ’96)

    CEO & Founder

    Anything is Possible, LLC

    Ad Hoc – 40th Anniversary Committee Chair

    Susan Dakak (LK ’16/IK ’13)

    President

    Smart Views LLC

    At-Large

    David Brace (LK ’15)

    Mayor’s Chief of Staff

    City of Knoxville

    Brian Dickens (LK ’23)

    Chief Human Resource Officer

    UT System

    Cynthia Gibson (LK ’13)

    General Counsel

    Bush Brothers Company

    Santi Sanabria (YLK ’17/IK ’21)

    Sales Executive

    ExpoQuip

    LIFETIME HONORARY MEMBERS

    Donna M. Cobble (LK ’85)

    Community Volunteer

    Bill E. Arant (LK ’85) *1936-2021*

    Retired Bank Executive

    James A. Haslam II (LK ’85)

    Founder and Chairman Emeritus

    Pilot Company

    Dale A. Keasling (LK ’85)

    Retired President & CEO

    Home Federal Bank

    Bill B. Sansom (LK ’85)

    Chairman and CEO

    H.T. Hackney

    Chair

    Liz Stowers (LK2014/IK2024)

    Immediate Past Chair

    Frank Rothermel (LK1999)

    Chair-Elect

    Ernest Brothers (LK2014/IK2010)

    Treasurer

    Susan Beavers (LK2024/IK2016)

    Secretary

    Bert Robinson (LK2017)

    Alumni Chair

    Aneisa Rolen (LK2018)

    Community Impact Chair

    Lynn Metler (LK2026)

    Development Chair

    Harry Gross (LK2010)

    Governance Chair

    Brewton Brownlow Couch (LK2023/IK2019)

    Selection Chair

    Kelly Drummond (LK2011)

    At-Large

    Christi Branscom (LK2009)

    At-Large

    Paul Sponcia (LK2023)

    At-Large

    Meg Counts (LK2020)

    At-Large

    John Thurman (LK2018/IK2009)

    LIFETIME HONORARY MEMBERS

    Donna M. Cobble (LK ’85)

    Community Volunteer

    Bill E. Arant (LK ’85) *1936-2021*

    Retired Bank Executive

    James A. Haslam II (LK ’85)

    Founder and Chairman Emeritus

    Pilot Company

    Dale A. Keasling (LK ’85)

    Retired President & CEO

    Home Federal Bank

    Bill B. Sansom (LK ’85)

    Chairman and CEO

    H.T. Hackney