Community Leaders Share Advice at the Most Powerful Women luncheon

It was a stunning summer day when guests arrived at City Winery for the Nashville Post’s Most Powerful Women luncheon presented by PNC Bank. The annual event also featured the  most recent class of Nfocus Model Behavior honorees. As friends visited in the lobby before the luncheon, they admired a series of Nfocus covers featuring the honorees, and many of the honorees took selfies or posed beside their cover. A balloon-festooned selfie studio offered the perfect backdrop for fun group photos, adding to the already high energy of the day.

When the doors opened, guests streamed into the main venue for lunch and an incredibly engaging panel discussion. Gift bags decorated each chair, greeting guests as they sat down to enjoy a delicious meal of grilled chicken on a bed of quinoa and kale. 

After welcome remarks and thank-yous to sponsors, I recognized this year’s Model Behavior honorees and introduced panel moderator Janet Miller, CEO of Colliers International Nashville. Joining her onstage were the Nashville Post’s 2024 Most Powerful Women honorees: Danielle Barnes, CEO and president of Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee; Katina Beard, CEO of Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center; Michelle Kennedy, president and alternate governor of the Nashville Predators; and Candice McQueen, president of Lipscomb University.

Janet masterfully guided the conversation, prompting the leaders to reflect on their career paths, advice they’ve been given and other heartfelt sentiments — like how they use humor to lead more effectively. Danielle talked about how a card from her daughter inspired her to change career paths. Michelle noted that great leaders often put others first — a trait all of 2024’s Most Powerful Women embody. “I don’t think you can be a good leader without thinking of other people,” she said.