Where Science Meets Community: A Look Inside Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory

Speaker Friday, January 16, 2025

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is more than a historic site—it is a living, breathing part of Nashville’s cultural identity. With deep roots in tradition and a growing role in the community’s future, Cheekwood’s story offers insight into how institutions can honor the past while creating immersive cultural experiences. From large-scale art installations to seasonal events that enchant visitors of all ages, Cheekwood continues to find imaginative ways to bring art to life within the beauty of its gardens.

Join the Green Hills Rotary on January 16, 2026, at 7:15 a.m. at the Boy Scout Service Center on Hillsboro Road for a special presentation by Jane MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. MacLeod will share Cheekwood’s journey through time—its history, its evolving role in Nashville’s cultural landscape, and how the organization continues to inspire, educate, and delight a growing and diverse community.

Jane MacLeod brings over 35 years of experience in marketing, museums, and public gardens to her role. Since joining Cheekwood in 2010, she has transformed the institution into one of the Southeast’s top destinations for art and horticulture. Her leadership has ushered in record-breaking admissions, nationally recognized exhibitions, and signature seasonal programs such as Cheekwood in Bloom, Cheekwood Harvest, and Holiday LIGHTS.

Recognized by USA Today, Fodor’s, and HGTV for excellence, Cheekwood has hosted major exhibitions under MacLeod’s direction, including Bruce Munro’s LIGHT and Chihuly at Cheekwood. Prior to her time in Nashville, she held senior roles at the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Arboretum. MacLeod holds degrees in journalism and business, and has been honored by Nashville Business Journal, Nashville Post, and Leadership Nashville for her impact in the community.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn how one of Nashville’s most beloved institutions continues to thrive by creating moments of wonder where art and nature meet.

For more information, see their website

Recent and Future Speakers

4/10/26Steve Bland, CEO WEGO Public Transit
4/17/26William Jeffries, Executive Director, African American Music Museum
4/24/26Eric, Editor in Chief, Nashville Business Journal
5/1/26Jim Easter, Healthcare trends in 2026
5/8/26Yuri Cunza, CEO Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
5/15/26Christiane Buggs, Bob Kucher, of PENCIL CEO
5/22/26District Governor, John Christopher Williams
5/29/26Laurel Creech and Casey Davis, The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee
6/5/26Nashville Opera, Keri Alkema, Chief Strategy & Ops Officer

Scroll to Top