Young Leaders Council

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Young Leaders Council

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YLC’s programming consists of a series of eleven interactive training sessions, which address fundamental board skills.

Young Leaders Council (YLC) provides board leadership training to prepare young professionals (typically between the ages of 25-40) to successfully serve on nonprofit boards. Young Leaders Council (YLC) was founded in 1985 by the Council of Community Services, in partnership with the Frist Foundation (formerly the HCA Foundation) and the United Way, to address an emerging and immediate need to broaden and strengthen Nashville’s volunteer leadership base. Each session is facilitated by an industry expert and reflects on success indicators such as collaboration, diversity and the role of catalyst deemed crucial for today’s nonprofit leadership roles. The training is followed by the completion of a one-year internship with a nonprofit community organization. During the internship, the YLC participant will serve as a non-voting member of the organization’s working board. Participants are typically between 25 and 40 years of age and represent a broad range of corporate, civic, and volunteer backgrounds. Participants may be nominated by YLC alumni, their company’s management or may be self-nominated with management’s recommendation.

10/30/2026

Week 8 of YLC focused on Strategic Planning with our instructor, Paige Bigham!

Our Young Leaders explored how nonprofit boards can think strategically, set meaningful goals, and help guide their organizations toward long-term impact. Strategic planning is an essential part of effective board leadership and our cohorts gained practical tools they can take with them into their future board service.

Thank you, Paige, for sharing your expertise and helping our Young Leaders strengthen their leadership skills!

Special thanks to our hosts this week: Williamson Inc and Junior League of Nashville!

10/15/2026

Join us for YLC’s 2026 Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, November 12, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Music City Center!

Each year, this special event brings together YLC alumni, corporate partners, nonprofit leaders, and community supporters to celebrate leadership, service, and the impact of the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

We’re thrilled to welcome Buddy Teaster, President & CEO of Soles4Souls, as this year’s keynote speaker. Buddy’s leadership has helped turn generosity into lasting impact, with Soles4Souls distributing more than 112 million shoes and pieces of clothing across 139 countries.

We’ll also celebrate an outstanding YLC alum with our Young Leader of the Year Award, and nominations are open through October 23!

Get your tickets for the luncheon and learn more about table sponsorships here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/youngleaderscouncil/event/2026leadershipluncheon/

We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring celebration of leaders making a difference in Middle Tennessee!

09/30/2026

Week 5 of training is in the books! 🎉

This week, our cohorts learned from Joyce Searcy on Cultural Competency and the importance of understanding different perspectives, recognizing our own biases, and fostering inclusive environments in nonprofit boardrooms and beyond.

Effective board leadership starts with listening, learning, and ensuring that diverse voices are valued in the decisions that shape our communities. We’re grateful to Joyce for sharing her insight and helping our participants grow as thoughtful leaders!

09/25/2026

YLC Week 4 🎉

This week, our cohorts focused on Effective Meetings & Communications with Lauren Collier, exploring how strong communication and intentional meetings can help nonprofit boards work more effectively together.

From navigating different communication styles to creating productive, purposeful meetings, our participants gained practical tools they can take with them into their future board service and beyond.

We’re grateful to Lauren for sharing her expertise and helping our participants build the skills they need to become engaged, effective nonprofit leaders!

Thanks to our nonprofit hosts and spotlights this week:
⭐️Williamson Inc
⭐️Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN
⭐️Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville

Onward to week 5!

09/16/2026

YLC Week 3: Nonprofit Financials✅

This week, YLC participants covered the financial side of nonprofit leadership with Josh Ireland and Drew Echternach, gaining a deeper understanding of nonprofit board financials and the role board members play in stewarding an organization’s resources.

A big thank you to Josh and Drew for sharing their expertise and equipping the next generation of community leaders with practical tools for nonprofit board service!

Thanks to our nonprofit hosts & spotlights!
⭐️Williamson Inc
⭐️YMCA of Green Hills
⭐️Williamson County CASA

09/16/2026

Young Leaders Council is now accepting applications for the Spring 2027 training program. Celebrating over 40 years of service to the Nashville community, YLC continues to provide high-level training designed to broaden and strengthen the local volunteer leadership base.

Apply Here: https://www.youngleaderscouncil.org/applicants/apply/

With more than 3,500 alumni, YLC is the premier organization for training diverse, talented, and community-focused young professionals to effectively serve on nonprofit boards. YLC hosts five cohorts annually and will offer the following opportunities for Spring 2027:

Belmont-Massey Cohort – Wednesdays, 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Nashville Spring Cohort – Tuesdays / Wednesdays, 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Junior League of Nashville Cohort – Thursdays, 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Applications are open now and close at midnight on December 1, 2026. To learn more and apply, visit www.YoungLeadersCouncil.org or email YLC Program Manager Rachel Reyes at [email protected].

09/14/2026

Join Young Leaders Council for our Fall 2026 Impact Series on Thursday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Junior League of Nashville!

Get to know Ellen Peterson, YLC’s new Chief Executive Officer, in an engaging conversation moderated by Julia Bonner-Zade, President of Pierce Public Relations.

Together, they’ll explore Ellen’s leadership journey, her vision for YLC, nonprofit board service, community engagement, and how emerging leaders can make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Lunch is included with your $25 ticket. Register today and join us for a conversation about leadership, service, and making an impact!

Register Here: https://zurl.co/RHSm2

08/17/2026

Come meet YLC’s new CEO, Ellen Peterson, at our Fall 2026 Impact Series on Thursday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Junior League of Nashville!

Enjoy an engaging keynote conversation with Ellen, moderated by Julia Bonner-Zade, President of Pierce Public Relations.

Ellen brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience and will share her leadership journey, vision for YLC, and perspectives on leadership, nonprofit board service and community engagement. Come get to know Ellen and hear what’s ahead for YLC!

Early Bird: Register by September 1 and save $5
Standard tickets: $25
Tickets include admission and lunch.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/young-leaders-council-fall-impact-series-2026

Questions? Contact Rachel Reyes at [email protected].

08/04/2026

YLC is seeking passionate, community-minded leaders to serve on our board and shape the future of our organization.

Serving on the YLC Board of Directors is an opportunity to advance our mission of developing and connecting the next generation of nonprofit and community leaders while making a meaningful impact across Middle Tennessee.

If you're ready to help guide YLC's vision and support the growth of civic leadership in our community, we encourage you to apply.

Apply here: https://zurl.co/SkwUr

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2026.

08/03/2026

Young Leaders Council is pleased to welcome Ellen Peterson as our new Chief Executive Officer!

With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, Ellen has dedicated her career to strengthening nonprofit organizations through strategic leadership, fundraising, organizational development and community engagement.

As CEO, Ellen will lead YLC's mission of developing and connecting Nashville's next generation of nonprofit and community leaders. Her leadership will focus on expanding YLC's impact, strengthening community partnerships and preparing diverse professionals to serve effectively on nonprofit boards.

Please join us in welcoming Ellen Peterson! We look forward to the leadership and vision she will bring as we continue building stronger nonprofit board leadership across Middle Tennessee.

Address

2200 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN
37212

Website

http://www.youngleaderscouncil.org/

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