Ralph Schulz	Stephanie Coleman

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Stephanie Coleman MA MBA to be its next president and CEO.

She is to succeed 18-year incumbent Ralph Schulz in the role on Feb. 3.

Coleman is a 17-year veteran of the Chamber and now serves as its chief talent development officer.

Schulz became CEO of the Chamber in 2006 and served during the terms of six successive Metro Nashville mayors and three Tennessee governors.

In 2009, the Chamber was named Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

In the Chamber's Jan. 6 press release, Schulz said, "The Chamber's purpose is to 'create economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership'. That's what we've done for more than 175 years, and I am proud to pass the torch to someone who knows this work and has a clear vision of where this organization should be headed. Stephanie has a different perspective than I do, but we share a common purpose -- to help enhance the prosperity of everyone in Middle Tennessee."

It was on Schulz's watch in 2024 that Chamber support contributed to passage of Metro Nashville's roughly $3.1BN transit-funding proposal.

C. Wright Pinson MD MBA, who is chairman of both the Chamber Board and its eight-member search committee, said in the Chamber press release, in part, "Stephanie Coleman has received the enthusiastic support of the Chamber Board as the new leader of our organization, and I want to congratulate her on emerging as the top choice in what was a very competitive selection process." Pinson is currently deputy CEO and chief health system officer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The Chamber's Partnership 2030 alliance is now developing its next five-year economic development strategy, which is meant to benefit the 10-county Greater Nashville region.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Coleman she served as a congressional staff member in Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University, a master's in international economic development and diplomacy from the University of Kentucky, and an MBA from Lipscomb University.

In yesterday's full press release (PDF), the CEO-designate expressed gratitude for the Chamber's vote of confidence, adding, "I've spent much of my career at the Chamber, which has given me a deep understanding of how our community works and the vital role the business community plays in driving economic prosperity for the region. I am honored and humbled to step into this role, standing on the shoulders of the visionary leaders who have come before me. My goal is to broaden the organization's base and build on its strengths to make the Chamber even more effective in helping our community prosper. Together, we will strengthen partnerships, champion innovation, and build a future where businesses, families, and individuals thrive for decades to come."

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has more than 1,800 members, making it the largest business organization in the region. The Chamber's progenitor was formed in 1847. ###

. last edited 1501 7 January 2025