Nashville Chamber picks Stephanie Coleman as new CEO
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The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce picked internal candidate Stephanie Coleman to be its new leader, replacing longtime CEO Ralph Schulz, who retired last year.
Why it matters: Coleman will lead the region's top business trade organization with tremendous influence in economic development, politics and workforce development.
Between the lines: There's a sense in Metro circles that the chamber's political influence has waned in recent years.
- Just a few years ago, the chamber received an annual $375,000 grant from the city for economic development, such as recruiting new companies to Nashville.
- That grant was reduced over several budget cycles before it was completely eliminated two years ago.
The big picture: Coleman will be faced with the task of improving the chamber's relationships with the city's mostly progressive Metro Council.
- In addition to mending fences with some council leaders, Coleman must collaborate with Republican leaders in state government.
Zoom in: Coleman has worked at the chamber for 16 years and was the preferred candidate of outgoing CEO Schulz.
- Before being picked as CEO, her most recent title was chief talent development officer.
- That's a major role, since Nashville's focus in recent years has shifted from luring big companies like Amazon and AllianceBernstein to growing the local pipeline of workers in big industries like tech and hospitality.
The intrigue: Coleman beat out Matt Wiltshire, the affordable housing executive, who previously oversaw economic development for Metro and ran for mayor in 2023.
- Wiltshire would have represented a new direction for the chamber. But in the end the board tapped its top internal candidate.
What she's saying: "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," Coleman said in a statement.