Knoxville Resident Selected To Collaborate With Professionals Statewide To Address Tennessee’s Most Serious Issues
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 12, 2026) – Leadership Tennessee, a collective with a mission to foster non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, has named Ozlem Kilic to its 2026–2027 Signature Program Class XIII.
In Leadership Tennessee’s 13th Signature Program, 12 different Tennessee counties are represented with diverse professional experience in the business, government, education and nonprofit sectors.
Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will visit all corners of the state, analyzing challenges that Tennessee faces, and will work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities. The statewide study will result in concrete plans to continue dialogue and actions addressing the most serious issues uncovered.
“I am proud to bring my perspective on future workforce, higher education and emerging technologies to issues facing the state of Tennessee,” said [Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Founding Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Class XIII member. “I am looking forward to the talented professionals also named to this year’s class, and I am certain that, working with this diverse group, we’ll be able to make a transformative impact for the betterment of our state.”
The group was selected by an anonymous selection committee based on the following criteria: leadership experience, a history of addressing statewide issues in both a personal and professional capacity, and a strong understanding of what challenges Tennessee faces today.
“We take great pride in challenging our cohorts to think deeply, lead courageously and engage meaningfully in shaping Tennessee’s future,” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “The 2026 class represents an exceptional group of leaders, chosen not only for their demonstrated accomplishments, but also for their capacity to inspire progress and create lasting impact across our state. Through this program, they will gain valuable insights, meaningful relationships and a broader perspective on Tennessee’s opportunities and challenges. We are excited to see how this class will leverage those experiences to strengthen their communities and help shape the next chapter of leadership in Tennessee.”
Previous classes have facilitated numerous community engagement sessions across the state. Since Leadership Tennessee’s founding, more than 900 Tennessee residents have become class members of the Signature Program and Leadership Tennessee NEXT, which is dedicated to emerging leaders.
The cohort’s work will begin in August and run through June 2027.
ABOUT LEADERSHIP TENNESSEE
Leadership Tennessee was founded in 2013 as an initiative of the College of Leadership and Public Service at Lipscomb University, and in 2021, it launched as an independent 501(c)(3). The program fosters collaborative, non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, connecting a network of diverse leaders and engaged citizens. Citizens with demonstrated community and professional leadership from every region of the state bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to an in-depth exploration of the complex issues facing Tennessee, with a focus on how leaders can collaborate to effectively address those issues.
# # #
CONTACT:
Leadership Tennessee
Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II
[email protected]
615-999-1082
College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Sarah Wyland
[email protected]
865-974-7570