In Williamson County, the professional and personal development of young professionals have become top priority for organizations. On our Young Professionals Resource Page you will see the many organizations that foster the growth of young professionals.
Please make use of the tabs to the left to learn more about these organizations and how you can become involved!
If you have any questions feel free to contact Griffin Wilcoxon at griffin@williamsonchamber.com.
To provide a significant financial contribution to a nonprofit organization whose service benefits the community at large, without prejudice as to race, color, creed, national origin, or religious affiliation. All funds contributed to the non-profit organization are designated for programs to support the well-being of women and children of need in Williamson County.
Contact A Vintage Affair:
Allison Porter – allison.porter@franklinsynergy.com
Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee provides hope to anyone touched by cancer. Hope is a strange word to associate with cancer, but those who walk in our door say they “have a good like with cancer because of Gilda’s.” Today, three of every four Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. In Tennessee alone, there will be an estimated 37,080 new cases of cancer in 2017. And many more are affected than those diagnosed. As the only cancer support agency in Middle Tennessee also benefiting friends and families, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee’s mission is to ensure those impacted by cancer (all genders, ages, backgrounds and cancer types) are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. To learn more about our cancer support program, please visit: www.gildasclubmiddletn.org.
Inspired by their personal connections to cancer, Gilda’s Club’s Associate Board formed in March 2016, and is made up of young professionals in their twenties and thirties. As one Associate Board Member put it, they are all at an age where their parents are dealing with cancer. The group aims to get the word out about Gilda’s Club, especially among peers; volunteer to help those impacted by cancer; and fundraise for Gilda’s Club’s mission.
Contact Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee:
Hayley Levy – hayley@gildasclubmiddletn.org – 615-329-1124
The Leadership Young Professionals program is open to individuals who have completed the Young Leaders Council program. The Leadership YP program consists of daylong seminars, group discussions, field trips and retreats that address different issues in Williamson County. The sessions create a forum to exchange ideas and discuss areas of interest. Each participant will be involved in a small group project outside of the program schedule to leave a legacy for the community.
The daylong programs include a focus on history, education, business, economic development, media/entertainment, government and quality of life. Participants are also given the opportunity to network and develop relationships with other class members and community leaders.
Contact Leadership YP:
Abby Bass – abby@williamsonchamber.com – 615-938-7479
United Way’s Emerging Leaders United (ELU), is a leadership development program for professionals with the goal of enhancing leadership skills through the unique community investment lens of the United Way. Developed to augment a professional’s career path, the sessions provide insight to the skills necessary for serving on nonprofit boards and exposure to local programs assisting area residents and strengthening the community. Participants are presented with opportunities to engage and network with other members, community stakeholders, session speakers, and nonprofit leaders.
Contact United ELU
Joy Lehmann – jlehmann@uwwc.org – 615-771-2312
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Ambassadors formed in 2009 as a group of young professionals with a shared passion for fighting cancer and a shared commitment to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. We seek an opportunity to make a difference, to raise financial support for innovative, groundbreaking cancer research and to have a hand in selecting with projects we fund.
By raising money for the Victory Over Cancer Fund and awarding discovery grants to promising investigators, we are sparking the development of research initiatives to improve outcomes for patients. We are proud of our history of providing seed capital for high-risk, high-reward cancer research. Over the past 10 years, we have awarded more than $1 million in discovery grants, helping our researchers secure more than $31 million in follow-up funding.
Through our personal and professional networks, we’re also spreading the word about Vanderbilt-Ingram’s leadership in cancer research and treatment.
Contact VICC
MacKenzie Fischer – mackenzie.fischer@vumc.org
Within WCAR, YPN is a core group if individuals whose careers are young in the profession of real estate (roughly within the last five years). We encourage networking and community involvement through fun philanthropic and educational events. Our mission statement below highlights the values and goals of YPN.
Mission Statement:
YPN helps new real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in four core areas:
View the WCAR, YPN calendar of events here.
Contact WCAR, YPN:
Carlee Greene – carlee@wcartn.org – 615-771-6845
Williamson, Inc. Young Professionals has partnered with Deviate to implement a quarterly leadership series engineered to help our emerging leaders grow. Deviate partners with influential leaders and brands to help them develop healthy leaders worth following and this program has been developed to guide Young Professionals to build their leadership foundation – one that will serve them for a lifetime.
Informal “connect” events round out the Williamson, Inc. Young Professionals offerings by providing unique opportunities for YPs to connect and engage. The quarterly networking events are a great place to build deeper roots in Williamson County or connect with other business professionals in the community. Your won’t want to miss these opportunities to connect.
Contact Williamson, Inc. YP:
Griffin Wilcoxon – griffin@williamsonchamber.com – 615-550-8497
The Young Leaders Council’s mission is to train diverse, committed individuals to effectively participate on the boards of nonprofit organizations and make a difference in the community by replenishing the volunteer leadership base. Since 1985, the YLC has trained over 2,5000 participants to serve on 175+ Middle Tennessee nonprofit boards.
In partnership with Williamson Chamber, YLC offers a class for young professionals that live and/or work in Williamson County. Classes are offered on Thursday mornings, 8:00-10:30 am, September – November.
To learn more about YLC:
Contact YLC:
Lisa Shacklett – lisa@youngleaderscouncil.org – 615-386-0060
The Young Leaders Network (YLN) is an extension of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. Established in September 2016, the YLN offers a distinct platform for developing leadership skills in young professionals’ age 21 – 45 years old. The annual membership fee is $50 for individuals who reside, work or volunteer in Williamson County and directly supports the preservation of the Harvey McLemore House Museum. Our activities provide networking, volunteerism and education on Franklin’s diverse culture and history.
Contact YLN
Stacey Colden – aahsvolunteer1TN@gmail.com
Sonya Johnson – aahsvolunteer1TN@gmail.com – 615-224-3140