Thursday, December 12, 2024 – Thirty local business professionals graduated from the Greater Jackson Chamber’s 46th Leadership Jackson class on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Carl Grant Events Center at Union University.  

Leadership Jackson, the chamber’s adult leadership development program, gives business professionals employed with companies that are chamber members the opportunity to better understand the community, the opportunities, and the challenges it faces. Class members visited community landmarks, met with area leaders, and participated in weekly sessions about topics impacting Jackson-Madison County, including education, healthcare, and government.

“The 46th Leadership Jackson class’s commitment to growth and leadership has been remarkable, as they’ve built strong connections, deepened their understanding of our community, and developed innovative solutions for local challenges,” says Kris Kelley, Leadership Jackson 2024 chair. “Our community now has thirty individuals that are empowered to make Jackson better for years to come. Being able to see their success and learn from it has been uplifting to me. I’m thankful to have worked with this year’s class alongside Mike Bryant.”

During the graduation ceremony, class members were recognized for their achievements and received their Leadership Jackson graduate certificate of completion. The class chose Henry Kilpatrick, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer with Jackson State Community College, to be its spokesperson and share their reflections of going through the three-month program and how it will influence their lives. The class also selected Grace Beasley, Ronald McDonald House Charities, as the class social chair.

Mari Hakim, with TBDN was selected to be vice chair of Leadership Jackson in 2025. She will serve with Mike Bryant, who will assume the chairmanship.

Five class members were recognized for their commitment and personal growth. Darian Brown, Love and Truth Church, received the highest honor – the Diamond Award – for surpassing all requirements in Leadership Jackson. Jewel award recipients were Ashlee Allison, The Scarlet Rope Project; Britany Cornelius, RIFA; Brandon Gray, Allen Samuels of Jackson and Katie Mott, West Tennessee Bank.

Leadership Jackson alumni who were recognized are Johnathon Chung, Guiding Star Insurance, class of 2022, the Emerging Leader Award; Shelby Matthis, 9Round, class of 2018, the Community Observance of Personal Excellence (COPE) Award; Joseph Ross, Bank of Jackson, class of 2014, the Harbert Alexander Award for Servant Leadership.

“It has been an honor to witness the 2024 class embrace ‘servant leadership’ the past 13 weeks,” said Lauren Saliba, Vice President of Education and Leadership Development, Greater Jackson Chamber. “The more they learn about Jackson-Madison County, the more they invest for the greater good of our community. It will be exciting to see their continued impact in serving others.”

The Leadership Jackson Class graduates include:

Ashlee Allison, Scarlet Rope Project

De’Shawn Barnes, Lane College

Grace Beasley, Ronald McDonald House Charities

Alex Bowens, Sonoco Products Company

Darian Brown, Love and Truth Church

Anita Cannedy, University of Tennessee at Martin, Jackson Campus

Kristen Carey, Cowart Reese Sargent, CPAs

Britany Cornelius, RIFA

Kevin Cozine, Martin Supply

Brandon David, Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority

Marlin Dotson, West Tennessee Healthcare

Brandon Gray, Allen Samuels of Jackson

Mari Hakim, TBDN Tennessee Company

Amber Haynes, WBBJ/Bahakel Digital

Madelyn Hefner, The Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse

Jordan Howerton, The United Way of West Tennessee

Henry Kilpatrick, Jackson State Community College

Meghan Larson, Union University

Julia Lester, Jackson Energy Authority

Lori Lott, Madison County Election Commission

Rishiraj Manerikar, Gerdau

Logan McCoy, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce

Katie Mott, West Tennessee Bank

Anita Parker, 1st Step Fitness

Gary Rothstein, City Lumber Company

Claire Schulz, Clarity Skin Studio

Jenna Smith, The Carlstar Group

Kendria Smith, The Dream Center

Britney Ward, TCAT – Jackson

Charles Woodside, GenPac / A-1 Chemical

Share Page: