Fresh Faces of Philanthropy 2026: McKenzie Mullins

Profession: Wealth management adviser, Northern Trust Wealth Management

Nonprofit: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

For McKenzie Mullins, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens has always felt like home. Long before he became a cofounder of the Council of Contemporaries or co-chaired the Summer Soirée, he wandered the historic estate as a child — captivated by its art, architecture and gardens. Today, that childhood connection has transformed into a deep commitment to preserving one of Nashville’s most treasured cultural institutions.

As vice president at Northern Trust Wealth Management, McKenzie spends his professional life helping families think long-term — balancing growth, legacy and stewardship. He sees a similar philosophy reflected in Cheekwood’s mission. “Like planting a garden, serving families with complex needs requires expert multigenerational planning with a long-term holistic approach,” he says.

That perspective helped inspire his work with Cheekwood’s Council of Contemporaries, a young professionals group founded in 2023 that has quickly grown from 11 founding members to more than 100 members. The organization connects emerging leaders and creatives with the museum and gardens while cultivating the next generation of supporters, volunteers and board leaders. 

“McKenzie has been instrumental in shaping Cheekwood’s Council of Contemporaries from the very beginning, continuing to lead with energy, creativity and a genuine commitment to building the next generation of support,” says Jane MacLeod, president and CEO of Cheekwood. “His active involvement has strengthened our community and expanded the ways young professionals connect with Cheekwood’s mission.”

McKenzie credits Cheekwood not only with enriching Nashville’s cultural landscape but also offering a place of reflection and renewal. During the pandemic, he found himself reconnecting with nature while walking the grounds and observing the changing seasons. He often returns to a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience.”

In a city experiencing rapid growth and transformation, McKenzie believes preserving historic places like Cheekwood matters more than ever. He sees the institution as both a reminder of Nashville’s history and a symbol of the city’s evolving cultural identity. He also believes organizations like Cheekwood help connect natives and newcomers through shared experiences rooted in art, nature and community.

Born in Nashville and raised just across the Tennessee border in South Central Kentucky, McKenzie says returning to Nashville has always felt like coming home. Watching the city grow throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s shaped his appreciation for the arts and civic life that continue to define Nashville today.

“I am proud of Nashville,” McKenzie says. “I want people to walk away knowing this is a world-class city.”