Abby Malchow is the Manager of Small Business Partnerships & Education at Amazon, where she develops and manages partnerships that drive success for entrepreneurs and small businesses by delivering education, programs, and investments that support their continued growth. Abby joined Amazon in December 2018 and has since remained focused on enabling the success of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and underserved businesses through various roles, programs, and initiatives.

She played a key role in creating the Military Entrepreneurship Program and supported the launch of Amazon’s Supplier Diversity Program. Prior to joining Amazon, Abby worked at Intel Corporation and is a retired U.S. Navy Chief and combat veteran, having served more than 20 years in the military.

Alan D. Hall Alan Hall has a diverse practice of business, commercial and employment law along with a complementary complex litigation and mediation practice in middle Tennessee. While obtaining his degree from the Nashville School of Law he was a Vice President and Compliance Officer for a middle Tennessee community bank. Upon graduation and licensure in 1996 he joined the law firm of Miller and Martin. In 2003, Alan began a career in state government service where he served as Director of Investigation and became the first Inspector General for the TN Dept. of Human Services. He spent a year as the Director of Performance Quality Improvement at the TN Dept. of Children’s Services before opening his own firm in 2013.

He has been married to Vickie for 25 + years and has 2 children, Anna (graduate of the University of Mississippi) and Charlie (a rising junior, most recently at University of TN at Chattanooga), and a goldendoodle named Albus.

He has been rated as a preeminent lawyer by his peers and has received the Attorney for Justice award for the Administrative Office of the Courts each year since 2015. In 2022, Alan was named the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the Legal Aid Society of Middle TN and the Cumberlands. He chairs the Board of Harpeth Hills Church Daycare, is an active Room at the Inn volunteer, and is a Board Member for the Miracle League of Music City. He has also taught legal week for Corner to Corner’s Entrepreneurship Academy for the last two years.

He enjoys running, biking, backpacking, reading and watching sports.

Anna-Vija McClain is an expert in small business efficiency and growth. She is the Founder and CEO of Piccolo Solutions, a development firm that provides businesses with numerous ways to scale, from lead generation to workflow solutions, and is now celebrating their 10th year in business.

Anna-Vija is active in the Nashville community through numerous charities, Boards, and volunteer efforts, including servicing as the President of the Nashville Emerging Leader Board. As a long-time Mentor with SCORE Nashville, she is honored to have been selected as the host of the SCORE Connect television show on News Channel 5+, connecting business leaders and resources. She has been named to Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Most Admired CEOs, and Best in Business Lists and was selected for the 2022 Forbes Top 1000 List!

And just recently, Anna-Vija was named Nashville Business Journal's 2024 Woman of Influence. She and her team have helped hundreds of business owners grow their personal and professional brands!

Armon Means Armon Means received his BFA in Photography from The Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, and an MFA in Photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Currently a lecturer of Photography and Visual Arts at Belmont University in Nashville TN, he has previously taught at Watkins College of Art, Coastal Carolina University, and Kansas State University. An exhibiting fine art photographer and educator since 2003, he is represented in multiple collections across the country and has exhibited in group exhibitions in Thailand, France, Hungary, and numerous Southern, Eastern, and Midwestern states, where he has been active as a visiting artist at multiple venues. He is also an accomplished commercial photographer with an extensive background in studio photography and digital editing techniques.

Donzaleigh Powell, is a Nashville native that loves life! She is the Owner of Donzaleigh INC., a product and service-based company providing entertainment, events, and products. She also runs a quickly emerging media production company, Donzaleigh’s Photography, offering photography, videography, and creative directing services. She is a graduate of Cumberland University with a bachelor’s in business administration and master’s degree in public service management.

Her experience as the former Director of Business Diversity Development for the Metropolitan Airport Authority has bolstered her ability to effectively work on multiple projects simultaneously, train and develop small businesses and provide outreach activities for the community. Donzaleigh has been leading workshops such as Leadership, Time Management, Vision, Goal Planning, Mindset Development for over eight years and is passionate about helping young adults gain the life and leadership skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Enoch Yang, is the founder of That Management, a service providing fractional operational management for startups and solopreneurs. The company's mission is to offload operational tasks, allowing business owners to concentrate on growth and revenue without increasing their operational burden. After a dynamic career in music production, of which Yang assisted Mark Eckert (Future, Lil Baby, Joji, DaBaby, August 08, Offset, Rvssian, JuiceWRLD) on various works, Yang was brought on as director of operations at That Pitch in 2020, running operations for a series of publishing companies and music tech companies, under Eckert’s holding company, That Nineties Kid. Utilizing his experience in operating a series of portfolio companies from various enterprises, Yang began offering his and his teams’ service to a variety of companies around the world, including Giggs and Courage Music Marketing - companies that serve artists, composers, and the touring industry, in addition to a variety of solopreneurs outside of the music industry. That Management fully manages their operations, enabling their founders to focus on growth and scale. That Management’s approach combines a background in the creative industry with strategic operational management, providing a valuable service that supports business development and efficiency. To date, That Management has saved its clients millions of dollars in labor costs annually.

Jerius Oliver Sr. was born in Champaign, IL and moved to Nashville TN at the age of 13. He graduated McGavock High School in May of 1997 and began working at Nations Bank (now Bank of America) in December of that same year. Jerius has worked in Operations, Retail Banking, Management, and most recently Business Banking over the span of his 22+ years in the banking industry. 

Currently Jerius works at First Citizens Bank where his official title is Vice President/Business Banker I. He works direct and exclusively with business clients on general banking, treasury management, and lending products to help them reach the short- and long-term goals for their business. 

First Citizens provides more than basic business services. We also work hard to provide you the financial advice and guidance to help your company reach your growth expectations. We provide the resources, expertise, and services of a big bank while giving you the one-on-one experience you’d expect from a smaller bank. We have been delivering on our promise to our clients since our doors opened back in 1898 in Raleigh NC. 

Jerius received his bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Finance from The University of Phoenix in 2014. In 2021 married his “soul-mate”, Shanna and together they have 7 children and one 6-year-old grand-daughter. The children (6 boys and 1 girl) ages range from 11 to 26. 

“My moto is if you do right by people and sincerely attempt to help them, not sell them, then both parties will establish the basis of any relationship. TRUST! My goal is to assist my clients in every aspect of their business banking needs, to be honest and upfront with them, and to earn the right to be called their banker.” – Jerius Oliver

Joel Robert Kaiser is a seasoned creative and entrepreneur with deep roots in the music industry. Beginning his journey as a singer-songwriter at the young age of six, he went on to form a band called Glass Oaks in college in Lynchburg, VA with his friends who co-wrote and landed a sync with HBO’s “Shameless”. He also has over fifteen years of experience in graphic design with a specialization in branding. Joel co-founded and expanded a prominent music and arts festival with Glass Oaks, drawing over 6,000 attendees with acts like Dr. Dog, Dawes, and COIN by 2018.

Initially, Joel launched into the world of tech with SpokeTek here in Nashville, aiming to revolutionize telemedicine with Digital Twinterpreters™ for real-time translation between doctors and patients after a lightbulb went off as he was writing poetry about his maternal New Mexican and indigenous grandmother’s American journey and the loss of her cultural identity as she assimilated to American society while simultaneously working on facial animations and character viseme rigs with his ongoing virtual band music project PLSR. Shameless plug: check out PLSR’s animated music video for their single ‘Heat’ on YouTube). However, recognizing the need to leverage his extensive network and expertise in the music industry, he pivoted to First Rule. This new venture with his co-founders Rob Baker (Co-Founder & Co-CEO) and Dave S. Thomas (Co- Founder & CTO) aligns more closely with his creative strengths, focusing on the intersection of technology and the arts. Learn more about how First Rule is harmonizing AI with the Music Industry at www.firstrule.ai

Join Joel at Nashville Entrepreneur Week’s “Pivot Panel”, where he will discuss playing to your strengths as a founder by adapting business strategies to one’s corecompetencies and market dynamics.

Jono Scarlet

After cutting his teeth in the music industry as a tour manager and artist manager starting in 2001, Jono brought his gift for logistics and operations to the CPG and e-commerce world. As COO of First Honey LLC for the past 7 years, Jono has developed processes to make the company more efficient in key areas like shipping, receiving, pay-per-click advertising, and inventory management.

Julie Lilliston is the Founder & President of Julie Lilliston Communications, an award-winning nationally certified woman-owned public relations firm based in Nashville. Her firm specializes in helping businesses enhance their reputation, build their brand, and grow market share, with a focus on executive visibility programs for women and minority-owned businesses.

Recognized as one of the "Top 15 Public Relations Agencies in Nashville" by Up City, Julie is a member of PRSA's Counselors Academy and has served on the board of NAWBO Nashville Chapter as Past President. She has received numerous accolades, including the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Awards, ATHENA Award nominee, and Enterprising Women of the Year Champions Award in 2022.

Julie is actively involved in supporting women's entrepreneurship and empowerment. She serves on the Women’s Enterprise Forum with WBENC as 1st Vice Chair of the Marketing Team and is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Additionally, she sits on the board of directors of Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, the nation’s oldest continuously operating African American owned bank.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The College of Wooster in Ohio and continues to be a prominent figure in the Nashville business community, advocating for diversity, inclusion, and women's leadership.

Kristen O'Meally

Co-Founder of Kids for Culture and Founder of Playground Abode

Kristen O'Meally, an experienced early childhood educator, transitioned into entrepreneurship as Co-Founder of Kids for Culture®️ and Founder of Playground Abode. With a background in teaching and directing preschool programs, Kristen is dedicated to promoting inclusivity in children's literature, toys, and games through Kids for Culture. With over a decade of experience, her mission is to enrich young lives and inspire positive change in early childhood development worldwide.

Lamia Haley

Co-Founder of Kids for Culture

Lamia Haley, Co-Founder of Kids for Culture, is not just a business leader but also a dedicated toddler mom. As the driving force behind the business operations, she brings a wealth of experience in logistics, operations, and customer service to the table. Lamia's journey as a mother enriches her understanding of what children need, ensuring that Kids for Culture crafts products that resonate with kids of all ages. Her passion for creating meaningful experiences for young ones fuels the company's growth and innovation.

Monchiere’ Holmes Jones has 21+ years industry experience with a blend of agency and in-house corporate brands in major industries like tourism, historical, automotive, gaming, healthcare, wireless, higher education, tech, quick service restaurants.

National award-winning creative known for amplifying brands that amplify culture and communities that they impact. I founded MOJO Marketing + PR in 2014, helping to merge business innovation, creativity, and servant leadership. MOJO thrives on market takeover media exposure, energetic integrated marketing campaigns and ideating memorable experiential events for our clients.

Her current claims to fame includes curating brand campaigns through experiences for Tennessee Titans, NIH CEAL, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), Cares ACT campaign with The Equity Alliance, Tennessee State Parks, New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network, The Cupcake Collection, MetroPCS, United States Postal Service, HCA Healthcare, Hiller Plumbing Heating Cooling & Electrical, Mr. Roof and many more.

Monchiere' is a trusted entrepreneurial advisor and speaks around the U.S. energizing panels and conferences about her journey to be seen creatively as a black woman in the agency world and her passion to revitalize Black-owned business districts and brands that the world needs.

Nicole Anderson helps put the "personal" in personal branding with on brand and on purpose content for bada** entrepreneurs

From the enchantment of a high school darkroom to unearthing a treasure trove of family photos, a passion was ignited 16 years ago. Today, as a mom boss, ENTP and Leo Manifestor, this visual storytelling virtuoso has spent 13 years curating exceptional, on-brand content for kick-ass  entrepreneurs.

More than a career, it's a calling! Now, dedicated to empowering others, Nicole teaches product based business owners to up level their own product photos using the art of visual storytelling and flat lay, lifestyle, and ecommerce imagery that will increase sales.  Nicole is a mom of 2, the wife of an Englishman and a hype woman for anyone and everyone! 

Paige A. Jack's journey is characterized by a fervent dedication to uplifting local arts initiatives and advocating for artists, both locally and globally. Raised in Washington, D.C., and now deeply ingrained in Nashville's vibrant community, Paige has honed a multifaceted approach to creativity and storytelling. Her diverse skill set spans art and design, enabling her to orchestrate compelling narratives through various mediums, from artist showcases to digital design and branding strategy.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Paige is deeply committed to fostering symbiotic relationships within Nashville's creative communities. As the Owner & Chief Creative Officer of Aviary Concepts and Co-Founder of Immersive Events and the Black Bar Crawl Nashville, she pioneers innovative strategies for artist-owned businesses, driving forward-thinking design solutions and creating platforms for diverse voices to be heard.

Paige's tireless dedication to the arts extends beyond the realm of business. She actively participates in community-building initiatives and collaborative projects, seeking to enrich the cultural fabric of Nashville and beyond. Through her leadership and advocacy, Paige continues to inspire and empower artists to share their stories, creating a lasting impact on the creative landscape of the city and beyond.

Peter Swan is a seasoned developer and CEO of Gustly, with a passion for helping founders transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses. Swan holds a degree in Computer Science from Boston University and has worked for several esteemed organizations throughout his career, including Gust and Indaba Music, where he held senior positions.

His expertise lies in product development, programming, and software engineering, which has helped him excel as a CEO. Swan takes pride in his ability to build excellent products and teams that deliver nothing but the best. He believes in fostering an open-door policy and encourages founders to reach out to him for help.

Shanna Cooper-Johnson is a seasoned Assistant Vice President with a proven track record in the financial services industry. With expertise in risk management, customer service, and business development, Shanna brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to client satisfaction have earned her a reputation as a trusted leader in the industry.

Shanna holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Organizational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University, further enhancing her strategic leadership capabilities. With a strong foundation in management and a passion for driving results, Shanna is poised to make a significant impact in her field.

Taniesha Westbrook, also affectionately known as "Tee," is a pioneering authority in experiential marketing and personal branding. Her innovative approach has reshaped the landscape of marketing agencies, with Shop Black Fest standing as a testament to her visionary leadership.

By strategically positioning Shop Black Fest as a revolutionary marketing company, Taniesha challenges conventional notions of event management. Utilizing live events and strategic partnerships, Shop Black Fest empowers Black-owned businesses to thrive in the digital age, having promoted over 4000 businesses in 13 cities to date.

Taniesha's expertise has earned her nominations for the prestigious 2023 international Athena Awards and a board position at nonprofit Nashville Cable. She champions women creators, Black-owned businesses, and underserved communities, sharing their stories through her multifaceted platform, Cool Girls Create. Serving as both a community and a platform, Cool Girls Create cultivates young creative professional women, connecting them with seasoned professionals for mentorship and support. Additionally, it exposes young women to job opportunities in creative fields, fostering growth and empowerment.

Taniesha's mission is clear: to amplify marginalized voices and drive meaningful change. Through her newest endeavor, the Authority Content School, Taniesha continues to shake up the marketing agency approach, empowering entrepreneurs to create impactful content and thrive in the digital realm. With her unwavering dedication and innovative spirit, Taniesha Westbrook solidifies her position as a trailblazer in the entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Tegan Mingo is a dynamic professional who has made significant strides in the news industry since graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in May 2020. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Tegan embarked on her journey in the industry as an assistant news producer in East Texas.

Quickly demonstrating their talent and dedication, Tegan Mingo was swiftly promoted to the role of news producer, where she spearheaded her own morning show for the Fox-affiliate in Tyler, Texas, KFXK. Her ability to deliver compelling content and engage audiences led to rapid success.

Currently serving as a daytime news producer at WSMV, Tegan continues to make an indelible mark on the industry, driven by her passion for storytelling and dedication to serving her audience. With a bright future ahead, Tegan remains committed to shaping the future of news broadcasting and making a positive impact wherever they go.

Tonisha Brown serves as the marketing and communication manager at The Cupcake Collection. With more than a decade of industry experience, Tonisha values the impact of genuine storytelling to engage with audiences.

Her efforts have resulted in clients securing features in prestigious publications such as Southern Living Magazine and Forbes.com, as well as partnerships with renowned brands like Meta, Yelp, and Visa, among others. Tonisha is a graduate of Tennessee State University and in her spare time enjoys brunch with friends, shopping and going to concerts.

Mikki Brown

Offering more than three decades of banking experience, Mikki Brown is enthusiastic about serving the Small Business community. Her unique multidisciplinary background comprises banking and finance, sales, and non-profit work. With her broad experience, Lavonda is a deeply extol professional team member known for making key connections, building relationships, leading dynamic teams, and leveraging her work ethics to connect people with opportunities.

Sought out for her strategic business acumen, training and development, and sales leadership, Mikki has served as CFO, Sales manager, and Relationship Manager with TTCOGIC and US Bank.

In every role, Mikki has balanced her keenness for achievement with ethics in meeting the needs of others first. An expert in banking and finance, for example, LaVonda drove TTCOGIC annual receipts up by 15% during COVID while other alike organizations were experiencing 35% or greater reduction in annual receipts.

Often defined as enthusiastic, altruistic yet pithy, Mikki credits her 35 years of banking success to her relationship with God. She believes that everyone has a purpose and that the value of the purpose is connect to a benefit for someone else.