One of the mainstays of theNashville Postmagazine is our In Charge list. Each year, we highlight the people that make our city work. Be them newly minted or seasoned veterans, we have trimmed this year’s list to the best of the best.
Adrienne Battle — Director, Metro Nashville Public Schools: Head of city’s public school system since 2019. Led through pandemic and funding challenges. Has spent more than 20 years with system.
Dan Boone — President, Trevecca Nazarene University: Leads Church of Nazarene-affiliated institution as it earns grants to support initiatives ranging from environmental efforts to support for preachers in school of theology. Has led university for nearly 20 years.
Christiane Buggs — CEO, PENCIL: Took over head role at education nonprofit in 2024 after founder Angie Adams announced her retirement. Former Metro Nashville Public Schools teacher and board member, first elected in 2016.
Kimberly Clay — Founder and CEO, Play Like a Girl: Head of organization that supports girls in sports who have STEM interests. Former public health expert and professor.
Agenia Clark — President, Fisk University: Former CEO of Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee took over as 18th leader of HBCU in November 2023. Also previously worked for Tennessee Education Lottery and Vanderbilt.
Katie Cour — President and CEO, Nashville Public Education Foundation: More than 20-year veteran of education, political and nonprofit industries now head of group that aims to support Nashville public schools. Former MNPS official and consultant.
Daniel Diermeier — Chancellor, Vanderbilt University: Leading multibillion-dollar fundraising initiative as part of school’s sesquicentennial celebration. Former University of Chicago administrator and Guggenheim fellow took over on West End in 2020.
Rachael Anne Elrod — Chair, Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education: Reelected to board and chosen as chair in 2022, former teacher has spoken out against legislation for a statewide school voucher program. Has called funding among her top priorities, along with teacher recruitment and retention.
Jason Golden — Superintendent, Williamson County Schools: Head of top-ranking school district was elevated to current leadership role in 2019. Contract runs through 2026. Has been with WCS since 2006.
Shanna Jackson — President, Nashville State Community College: Began at NSCC in 2018 after associate vice president role at Columbia State’s Williamson campus. Oversaw opening of community college’s Madison campus in 2022. Opened new building for school of health sciences in 2024.
Greg Jones — President, Belmont University: Leads growing school, which plans to welcome students to new medical school in fall. Replaced Bob Fisher in 2021.
Watechia Lawless Mitchell — Director of Children and Youth Initiatives, Office of the Mayor: Former executive principal at Napier Elementary who moved to take community superintendent job for Hamilton County Schools. Returned to Metro at invitation of Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Candice McQueen — President, Lipscomb University: Took the helm of Church of Christ-affiliated university in 2021. Previous CEO of National Institute for Excellence in Teach-ing. Former state education commissioner under Gov. Bill Haslam and dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education.
Sidney McPhee — President, Middle Tennessee State University: Head of one of state’s most important educational institutions for more than 20 years. Has overseen expansion of online course options. Led openings of health sciences and construction management buildings along with groundbreaking for future student-athlete performance center.
Lizzette Reynolds — Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Education: Sworn in June 2023. Previous vice president of policy for ExcelinEd. Served as deputy legislative director under then-Gov. George W. Bush and was chief deputy commissioner at Texas Education Agency.
