Empowered Women Empower Women: Courage Abounds at the 2023 Most Powerful Women Luncheon

Women from every professional field across the city came together to celebrate community luminaries and support each other at the 2023 Most Powerful Women luncheon, featuring Model Behavior. Launched in 2011 by our sister publication, the Nashville Post, this luncheon series convenes female leaders from all corners of Middle Tennessee’s economy to share their stories of growth and success with peers and future community leaders. Guests chatted and bid on silent auction items generously donated by Nfocus’ diverse group of Model Behavior honorees, in support of each of the nonprofits the honorees represented.

After moving into City Winery’s main space, guests enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken atop a rainbow quinoa salad while Nashville Post’s editor-in-chief Stephen Elliott welcomed everyone to the event. Janet Kurtz, editor-in-chief of Nfocus, recognized 2023’s Model Behavior honorees, and the Most Powerful Women panelists took their seats onstage, alongside moderator Vicki Yates of NewsChannel 5. This year’s class of Most Powerful Women included Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools; Deana Ivey, president and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp; Candice Lee, Vanderbilt University’s athletics director and vice chancellor of Athletics and University Affairs; and Jennifer Turner, president and CEO of Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

The four community leaders discussed what led them to their current roles, the people that helped them along the way, the qualities — whether learned or intrinsic — that a person must possess to be a good leader, and more. Though their careers and skill sets may vary, the one thing that unites them is their commitment to serving others. Everyone received a well-stocked gift bag to take with them before heading back to the office, though VIPs lingered to sip champagne and enjoy the fantastic company a while longer before departing.