Speakers and More

Speaker Friday, November 7, 2025 Green Hills stands at a crossroads—surrounded by growth, yet rich in legacy. Do we simply respond to change, or do we take charge of it? The Alliance for Green Hills, under the leadership of Norah Buikstra, is reimagining how our neighborhood can evolve with intention. This is more than planning; it is an invitation to become active stewards of…

Speaker Friday, October 24, 2025 Do you know the difference between what Social Security promises and what it actually delivers? Questions around benefit timing, eligibility, and strategy are among the most common concerns raised during retirement planning. As financial realities shift, understanding how to plan wisely around Social Security has become not just smart—but essential. This presentation will explore the most frequently asked questions…

Speaker Friday, September 26, 2025 A healthy smile is more than just an aesthetic asset—it is a foundation for confidence, communication, nutrition, and dignity. But what if you could not afford one? What if dental pain kept you from working, or your child from learning? Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi invites us to look beyond toothbrushes and toothpaste, and ask: what does it mean to create…

Speaker Friday, September 19, 2025 rom tech startups to mission-driven ventures, Nashville is brimming with entrepreneurial energy. But how do promising ideas become sustainable enterprises? The Nashville Entrepreneur Center is answering that question every day—equipping aspiring founders with the tools, mentorship, and connections they need to lead with purpose and confidence. Join the Green Hills Rotary Club on September 19, 2023, at 7:15 a.m….

Speaker Friday, September 5, 2025 What happens when a Rabbi and a doctor walk into a Rotary meeting? You get a conversation that challenges assumptions, deepens understanding, and explores life’s most meaningful questions. In their new book, A Rabbi and a Doctor Walk into a Bar, Frank Boehm and Mark Schiftan ask whether science and religion can truly share the same table—and whether questions…

Speaker Friday, August 29, 2025 From Fortune 500 relocations to a booming tourism sector, Nashville has transformed into one of the most dynamic cities in America. But what comes next? As growth pressures mount, the region faces urgent questions about infrastructure, affordability, and opportunity. Jeff Hite has been a key figure in this transformation, and now he offers an inside look at how Nashville…

Speaker Friday, August 15, 2025 Nutrition is a crucial, yet often overlooked, component of cancer care—not only for the patient, but also for the family whose world is upended by caregiving responsibilities. While medicine fights the disease, food supports the body, calms the mind, and strengthens the spirit for everyone involved. The Heimerdinger Foundation embraces this holistic view through its Meals 4 Health and…

Speaker Friday, August 8, 2025 Progress sometimes looks different depending on who is measuring it. This week, we will hear how the Urban League of Middle Tennessee assesses progress in our region through its inaugural State of Black Middle Tennessee report. Using an Equality Index to examine economics, education, health, social justice, and civic engagement, the report provides a unique lens on our community’s…

Speaker Friday, August 1, 2025 What if your child were diagnosed with an ultra-rare autoimmune disease—one that, without proper treatment, could severely limit their strength, growth, or even survival? What if doctors had no definitive answers, only ongoing treatments designed to manage symptoms rather than cure them? For families facing juvenile dermatomyositis, these questions are not hypothetical. Because the condition is so rare, research…

Speaker Friday, July 18, 2025 From boots on the ground to code behind the screen, America’s military strength depends not only on those who serve, but on those who support. Few realize that right here in Nashville, software engineers and program managers are developing critical defense solutions that protect lives across the globe. From military-grade software to strategic innovation, the work being done locally…

Speaker Friday, July 11, 2025 If you want to give, how do you know where your gift will do the most good? Who can you trust to manage it wisely and connect it with the people and places that need it most? The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee was built to answer those questions. Under Hal Cato’s leadership, CFMT helps generous individuals become confident…

Speaker Friday, June 27, 2025 Imagine meeting individuals from every continent who share your values, your commitment to service, and your desire to make a meaningful impact. At the Rotary International Convention, those conversations come to life—participants return inspired by the accomplishments of others and the collective power of Rotary’s global membership. The best way to experience that energy is to attend in person….

Speaker Friday, June 20, 2025 Nearly 250 years ago, the Founding Fathers signed a document whose ideals continue to challenge our sense of civic duty and shape the American spirit. The Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical artifact—it remains a living call to reflect, engage, and uphold the principles upon which the nation was built. Recognized as the most important philosophical-political statement…

Speaker Friday, June 13, 2025 As debates over public education intensify, some schools are quietly achieving extraordinary outcomes. Hillsboro High School stands among them—an International Baccalaureate World School fostering academic achievement through innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and strong community support. Dr. Danielle Holdren will share what it takes to guide students as they learn to be adults in a fast-changing world, from building university partnerships…

Speaker Friday, June 6, 2025 Immigration enforcement is no longer a distant policy discussion—it is unfolding in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. While some applaud the efforts as necessary for restoring order, others raise concerns about due process and fear-based tactics. In this nuanced moment, Allen King from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) offers a grounded, legal perspective on how Tennessee…

Speaker Friday, May 30, 2025 Aging has become big business. Every week brings a new promise—reverse your biological clock, unlock the secret to living past 100, or outsmart time itself. From brain-boosting supplements to age-rewinding protocols, the wellness industry has turned longevity into a market of seductive claims. But how much of it is real? What are the practical implications for those of us…

Speaker Friday, May 23, 2025 Every successful entrepreneur has a story—but few understand what happens behind the scenes of those early make-or-break moments. Angela Crane-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC), offers a front-row seat into how startups grow, where they stumble, and what really fuels long-term impact. Her perspective is rooted in years of walking alongside founders as they…

Speaker Friday, May 16, 2025 Award-winning author Andrew Maraniss has mastered the art of telling untold stories that matter. From civil rights pioneers to Olympic athletes, his work illuminates the moments when individuals stand up against injustice, often at great personal risk. What began as a student research project at Vanderbilt University grew into a national bestseller, reshaping how Americans view the intersection of…

Speaker Friday, May 9, 2025 Tennessee’s safety net is only as strong as the strategies behind it—and the leaders who implement them. Patrick Sheehan, Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, will share what happens behind the scenes when disaster strikes and how state agencies, local responders, and everyday citizens come together under pressure. This talk offers a rare glimpse into how government works…

Speaker Friday, April 11, 2025 From behind-the-scenes negotiations in the National Football League to civic engagement here in Nashville, Adolpho Birch III’s journey reflects the changing face of leadership in sports and society. His unique perspective—shaped by years in league policy and rooted in a legacy of public service—offers insights into how sports organizations manage complex challenges, influence communities, and evolve with the times….

Speaker Friday, April 4, 2025 At the Army-Navy game, the winners sing second—a tradition that symbolizes the quiet strength of service before self. For Dean Wegner, this moment captures the essence of a life shaped by duty, honor, and perseverance. A graduate of West Point, Flight School, and Ranger School, Wegner has carried those values into every aspect of his journey, from military service…

Speaker Friday, March 27, 2025 Investing in Nashville’s AirBNB Real Estate Market How can you own an investment property as an Airbnb, and does it make sense financially? What does the market look like today, and how can you participate? Come and listen to Darbi Bolton as she unpacks the world of Short Term Rentals (STRs) in Middle Tennessee, including the laws specific to…

Speaker Friday, March 14, 2025 Beyond the Pews: The True Impact of Catholic Charities Many believe Catholic Charities is a small, church-funded volunteer group, but the reality is far different. As Middle Tennessee’s largest social services agency, Catholic Charities serves 25,000 individuals annually through a network of eight locations. With only 5% of its funding from the diocese, the organization relies on partnerships with…

Speaker Friday, February 27, 2025 From smartphone apps to renewable energy, STEM innovations shape our daily lives—yet America faces a critical shortage of skilled STEM professionals. What happens when a physicist takes an unconventional journey from laboratory research to the front lines of education reform? The Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO) is transforming how we inspire the next generation of scientists…