Shannon Fontaine
Tina Tuggle | Director of Community Relations, Tennessee Titans
Being a businesswoman in a male-dominated industry doesn’t pose a problem for Tina Tuggle, the Tennessee Titans' director of community relations.
Tuggle’s ongoing challenge, rather, is avoiding complacency in a field she knows others are eager to claim.
"Sports administration is actually quite an alluring profession," she explains. "Regardless of how well things appear in that moment, I never want to become so comfortable that I’m not growing in the process."
For Tuggle, success is synonymous with purpose. Given her career of 20-plus years with the Titans, it’s safe to say she’s found her purpose—and experienced success along the way.
To those just starting out, Tuggle advises, “Learn to understand and appreciate the significance of rejection. While it’s hard to understand any meaning in the midst of letdowns, frustrations, or regrets, identifying the lesson and growing from it can only add value as you continue on your own journey to success."
Shannon Fontaine
Laura Smith | Vice President and General Counsel, Nashville Electric Service
When Laura Smith joined Nashville Electric Service (NES) 24 years ago, she didn’t intend to stay for long.
"There have been several junctures at which I wanted to do something different to grow and develop, and, each time, I was presented with an opportunity to grow and develop within NES, instead," she recalls.
More than two decades later, Smith now serves as the vice president and general counsel for the utility service company, alongside a host of other women in her field.
"Women today are well-represented within the legal community," she says. "And, in my organization, half of our leadership team is comprised of women, too."
While Smith’s job changes day-to-day, what remains constant is the tangible impact her work has on the community.
"I love that my job and my company give me the opportunity to be involved in meaningful endeavors in the community," she shares, "and I wouldn’t want to live or practice law in any other city."
Shannon Fontaine
Tiffany Wilmot | President, Wilmot Inc.
Tiffany Wilmot is leading the charge to make Nashville a greener, more sustainable city. Her company, Wilmot Inc., consults with corporations on the productivity—and profitability—of implementing eco-friendly business practices.
"We're often able to take the savings that we’ve garnered from one project and roll them into the next," Wilmot shares. "This allows our clients to see the cost benefits of their sustainability, and it also encourages them to keep doing the right thing environmentally."
'Going green' is a passion of Wilmot’s outside of work, too. She co-founded Tennessee Women in Green (TWIG), a nonprofit organization that empowers, inspires, and connects women in the sustainability industry.
"We started out with 10 members, and we now have over 300," Wilmot adds.
And, when she’s not working or volunteering, you can likely find Wilmot enjoying one of the city’s green spaces, like Percy Warner, which she calls "the crown jewel of Nashville."
Shannon Fontaine
April Eaton | National Media Team Manager, Allstate Insurance Company; Television Show Host, NewsChannel 5 Network
Proving that change can be a positive force, April Eaton, who now manages the national media team for Allstate Insurance Company, began her career on a much different trajectory.
Before her time at Allstate, Eaton was a reporter for NewsChannel 5, covering everything from education to an emu’s dramatic escape. Six years and three television Emmy Award nominations later, the savvy journalist traded her time in front of the camera for a career in corporate communications. Eaton’s passion for storytelling didn’t stop there, though. In a serendipitous turn of events, shortly after her career change, she received an opportunity to return to television—this time, as the host of her own show, Urban Outlook: A Forum for African American Issues, which is now in its 17th season.
And, although she still works in insurance, Eaton’s advice is, ironically, to take more risks. "There’s more than one way to accomplish your dreams," she says.
Shannon Fontaine
Christine Karbowiak | Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Executive Vice President, Bridgestone Americas
A seasoned lawyer and business executive, Christine Karbowiak brings her corporate savvy to Bridgestone Americas on both a local and global scale. Locally, Karbowiak credits the Nashville community for being hospitable, while still holding executives accountable for their contribution.
"Nashville expects its business leaders to be part of the community," she explains.
For her part, Karbowiak served as the local organizing committee chair for last year’s NHL All-Star Game, resulting in positive financial and reputational gains for the city.On the global stage, Karbowiak supports Bridgestone in its Worldwide Olympic Partnership and globalization efforts of the company’s public relations, government affairs, and environmental affairs departments, among other initiatives.
“The global part of my role allows me to work on and lead projects that have tremendous impact on the organization," she adds.
With a world of wisdom and experience under her belt, Karbowiak offers some advice.
"Don’t take yourself too seriously, " she recommends. "It’s important to keep perspective, and it’s okay to make mistakes—as long as you learn from them."
Shannon Fontaine
Kathy Anderson — Owner and Principal Interior Designer, Anderson Design Studio
With an interior-design career spanning 29-plus years, Kathy Anderson has seen Nashville through its highs and lows—including the flood of 2010, which devastated a number of local landmarks. Anderson, an avid music lover, had a hand in restoring the Grand Ole Opry House, a project she still counts among her most memorable.
To those who wish to follow in her footsteps, Anderson’s advice for pursuing interior design is simple: “Teach yourself; don’t expect to be told everything you need to know," she says. “Observe, read, take photographs, and study. It’s important to always be a student of your craft."
These days, Anderson is taking her own advice, expanding her craft to encompass furniture design, as well. The creative maven recently announced she’s collaborating with Eightmood on a home furnishings collection, called "Country Mood," debuting at the Anderson Design Studio showroom and in department stores nationwide later this year.
Shannon Fontaine
Beth Torres | President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee
There’s no such thing as work-life balance for Beth Torres, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes for children who face life-threatening medical conditions.
"Instead of balance, I seek to be fully present where I am at any point," she explains. "Once you meet these kids, you realize it’s more than a career; it’s a mission to make the world better, one wish at a time—and it’s the hardest, most rewarding work I’ve ever done."
With Torres at the helm, Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee is granting more wishes in 2017 than any year prior, a success she attributes to both her talented team—a selfless staff, committed board members, volunteers, and donors—and the willingness of Nashvillians who want to lend a hand.
"There’s this shared responsibility we all feel to infuse the Nashville spirit into everything we do, to connect people and support each other," Torres says. "I’m grateful to be part of such a collaborative community."
Shannon Fontaine
Lori Badgett | Senior Vice President, City National Bank
For Nashville native Lori Badgett, cultivating relationships is the key to success.
"Throughout my career, it hasn’t been specific achievements or goals met that presented turning points—it’s always people," she explains. "People have made all the difference in my career, and I’m blessed to have crossed paths with so many great leaders."
Those leaders include mentors like the late Brian Williams, of SunTrust Bank, who encouraged Badgett to explore banking in the entertainment industry, and Martha Henderson, of City National Bank, whose creative vision inspired Badgett to join the company. Here, she currently serves as senior vice president.
Badgett pays it forward, too, using her wealth of banking and business acumen to help others.
"It’s particularly rewarding to serve so many artists and creative people who use their talents to enrich the world and people’s lives through their art," she adds.
Shannon Fontaine
Karen Springer | Tennessee Ministry Market Executive, President, and CEO, Saint Thomas Health; Senior Vice President, Ascension Health
From the early stages of her career, gaining clinical experience as a nurse, to her current role as president and CEO of Saint Thomas Health, Karen Springer has seen the healthcare industry from all sides.
"Healthcare, in general, is a challenge for this country—we need reform, transformation, and change in multiple places, from payment structure to policy regulations," Springer says.
But she remains optimistic, adding, "We have a strong opportunity for female leaders in healthcare to have a voice in how we shape this change."
While healthcare reform remains a long-term goal, Springer revels in the simple, everyday success of serving others.
"All of that work and experience positioned me to be here in Nashville, at the right time, to do the right work, for the right people we’re called to serve," she shares. "I never would have dreamt, at this stage of my career, that I’d find my true calling, and I’m so proud that it’s happened in Nashville."