Lipscomb alumna Stephanie Coleman appointed CEO of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Kim Chaudoin  |  05/19/2025

When Stephanie Coleman stepped into the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce nearly two decades ago, she couldn’t have predicted the skyline-shaping transformation that awaited the city—or her own career trajectory. Now, after 17 years of service in nearly every department of the Chamber, Coleman has been named president and CEO of one of the largest regional business advocacy organizations in the country.

Coleman, who graduated from Lipscomb with her MBA in 2015, officially began her new role in February 2025, succeeding longtime CEO Ralph Schulz, who was recently named an executive-in-residence at the university. She becomes one of the most influential leaders in Nashville at a time of rapid growth and complex challenges — and she brings to the role a deep sense of purpose, strong regional relationships and a passion for public service.

“I’ve had a front-row seat to Nashville’s transformation,” said Coleman. “I love the energy, the creativity and the spirit of collaboration that define this city. It’s a place where people care deeply about their neighbors and the future of their community — and they get involved to shape that future.”

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Coleman earned her undergraduate degree in economics and French from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in international economic development and diplomacy from the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce before moving to Washington, D.C. She returned to Nashville in 2008 to begin work at the Chamber, and during her early years on staff, she enrolled in Lipscomb’s MBA program to sharpen her leadership and management skills.

“I had moved into a leadership position and felt it was time to invest in myself so I could be a more effective leader,” she said. “I was drawn to Lipscomb’s values-based approach to leadership and its reputation as a strong community builder. The servant leadership model that’s embedded in the MBA program really resonated with me and helped shape how I lead today.”

Coleman completed her MBA at Lipscomb while working full-time at the Chamber, an experience she said allowed her to directly apply classroom insights to real-world challenges.

“Lipscomb’s program helped me become a better leader, and its emphasis on faith, ethics and community engagement was something that aligned with my personal values,” she said.

Over the years, Coleman rose through the ranks at the Chamber, serving in roles including chief growth officer and chief talent development officer before being appointed CEO. She said her varied experiences, from public relations and policy to member engagement and talent development, have uniquely prepared her to lead the organization during a time of exponential regional growth.

“In each of those roles, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with our members, community leaders and internal teams,” Coleman said. “That experience helps me understand the challenges our staff face every day, and it equips me to lead in a way that empowers them to succeed — because when our team succeeds, our organization succeeds and our region thrives.”

Coleman will build on the Chamber’s long-term strategic blueprint, Partnership 2030, but she also brings a fresh perspective focused on innovation, bold action and inclusive growth. Her priorities include embracing emerging technologies, driving solutions to key regional challenges and expanding the Chamber’s reach to include a broader and more diverse group of business leaders.

“This is about continuing to push forward,” said Coleman. “We want to foster innovation within our organization, initiate bold ideas that solve problems and strategically grow our network so we reflect the full spectrum of Middle Tennessee’s business community.”

Under Coleman’s leadership, the Chamber remains a key player in shaping Nashville’s economic landscape. Through its regional public-private partnerships, the Chamber has helped attract 1,000 company relocations and supported the creation of more than 550,000 jobs over the past 35 years. That progress, she said, is rooted in a culture of collaboration that makes Nashville stand out.

“Our Music City brand speaks to our creativity and teamwork. The health care sector here, much like our music industry, is built on the idea that we’re stronger together. That culture of connection is what makes this city special — and it’s what continues to attract businesses and talent from around the world.”

For Coleman, Nashville’s growth is exciting not just because of what it brings economically, but because of what it makes possible for its people.

“Nashville is a place where opportunity is abundant,” she said. “It’s a city where individuals can thrive and build a life and where businesses don’t just locate, they invest and engage.”

She encourages others, especially those with Lipscomb ties, to embrace Nashville’s relationship-driven culture.

“I think about Nashville as a relationship town, and relationships are our currency here,” said Coleman. “One of the great things about Lipscomb is that it itself is a network. People who have been part of the Lipscomb community have this spirit of wanting to help each other out. And if you're looking for opportunities, simply reaching out can open doors. This is a place where people say yes to a meeting, and that’s how we get things done.”