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THE ULTIMATE HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS WATCH
THE ULTIMATE HIGH-PERFORMANCE
SPORTS WATCH
27 Fresh Faces of Philanthropy 2026
A new class of emerging leaders carries Nashville’s spirit of service forward
One for the History Books
The 85th running of the Iroquois Steeplechase offers a heartpounding finish 46 Not a Footnote in History
The Hermitage Spring Outing spotlights women who helped shape America 50 Convivial Cooking
Bacco chef Nicky Miscia celebrates culture, flavor and tradition with every dish
The Gordon Jewish Community Center celebrates the decades with Big Night Out
All the World’s a Stage Grand Night supports Nashville Children’s Theatre and offers a trip around the world
Oh Oscar!
The Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party sparkles on a dazzling spring evening
Show shines while raising record-breaking funds
raises a glass to the
The Cheekwood Society celebrates extraordinary philanthropy
The Friends of Warner Parks’ Spring Luncheon celebrates a return to the trails
The Nfocus Homes of Distinction Party shines at a new luxury residence
The Call of the Wild Dinner celebrates the Nashville Zoo’s conservation excellence
After 7 years sitting dormant, the Fontanel Mansion is once again open to the public
Grant, Cocoon
Hill Farm and Preserve
“The canoe is a pleasing accessory at the camp.”
Announcing the 2026 class of Fresh Faces of Philanthropy
FOR MORE THAN three decades, Nfocus has sat at the center of Nashville’s civic-minded circles. We bring readers into the rooms where change happens as the city grows. Today, we go deeper — sharing the “why” behind these important events. We profile the people who power these organizations, whether they serve on staff, lead a board or give their time as dedicated volunteers.
In 2024, we launched Fresh Faces of Philanthropy to highlight rising leaders and engage our audience in a new way. In this issue, we introduce the latest class to earn this recognition with a stunning fashion shoot at The Manning. These public-spirited individuals represent the next generation of humanitarians in Nashville — who work each day to carry forward our city’s legacy.
We also step inside newly opened Bacco — the Italian steakhouse at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville. Our team spends the afternoon at the Iroquois Steeplechase, capturing the details of a fashion-filled race day. And Carrington Fox goes behind the scenes with royal watcher and local author Caroline Hallemann to discuss her new book, The Kennedys and the Windsors: The Story of Two Dynasties, One Born, One Made.
As always, we have been on the circuit at the city’s top events, spotlighting nonprofits and their impact on the community. We take you inside the Symphony Fashion Show, the 51st annual Harding Art Show, the Cheekwood Society Dinner, and even our own Homes of Distinction Party. We also cover the 125th annual Spring Outing at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, featuring keynote speakers Norah O’Donnell and Kate Andersen Brower, among other spring events.
Recent cultural conversations about magazines and media reminded me of something I believe deeply: Stories matter because people matter. At its best, print journalism does more than document a moment. It preserves it. Magazines still hold a unique power to capture the personalities, philanthropy and defining gatherings that shape a city’s identity. Through the lens of service and community, Nfocus has become part of Nashville’s living history — a publication of record for the people and events that leave a lasting mark on our city.
Each year, as new faces bring fresh ideas and build on the foundation laid by those before them, they carry Nashville toward a brighter future — and we’re there to capture the moment.
BY JANET KURTZ
Janet moved to Nashville 27 years ago. She is an avid reader, traveler and collector of fountain pens, and she lives in downtown Nashville with her husband, Ron, and their dog, Julep. Email her at jkurtz@nfocusmagazine.com or follow her on Instagram @musiccitytraveler
Editorial
founding editor
Herbert Fox Jr.
editor-in-chief
Janet Kurtz
contributing editors
Lindsey Lanquist, Carrington Fox
associate editor
Madeleine Bradford
social correspondent
Gloria Houghland
contributors
Beth Alexander, Chris Chamberlain,
Whitney Clay, Carrington Fox, Hannah Herner, Margaret Littman, Hamilton
Matthew Masters, Nicolle Praino, D. Patrick Rodgers, Nancy Vienneau
Art
art director
Christie Passarello
senior photographer
Eric England
staff photographer
Angelina Castillo
contributing photographers/videographers
Tausha Dickinson, Kristin Drum, Michael Scott Evans, Peyton Hoge, Iris Leonardo, Hamilton Matthew Masters, Daniel Meigs
graphic designers
Sandi Harrison, Mary Louise Meadors, Tracey Starck
Advertising advertising solutions consultants
Teresa Birdsong, Kailey Idziak, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Allie Robbins, Niki Tyree,
Andrea Vasquez, Alissa Wetzel
sales operations manager
Chelon Hasty
advertising solutions associates
Audry Houle
Marketing events director
Robin Fomusa
event manager
Tristan Maryanski
Circulation
circulation manager
Gary Minnis
Business
president
Mike Smith
chief financial officer
Todd Patton
chief operating officer
Elizabeth Jones
chief revenue officer
Olivia Moye Britton
IT director
John Schaeffer
digital director
Caroline Prater
Owner
FW Publishing, LLC
With author Caroline Hallemann
AS DIGITAL DIRECTOR of Town & Country, writing about culture, society and entertainment, Caroline Hallemann often found herself chronicling the British monarchy and the Kennedy family. (We like to think she picked up some of her journalistic curiosity at Nfocus, where she interned in high school before graduating from Wake Forest University and starting her career in New York City.)
On June 2, Caroline launches her debut nonfiction book, The Kennedys and the Windsors: The Story of Two Dynasties, One Born, One Made, published by Penguin Random House. We are delighted to turn the tables on Caroline, to interview the Nashville-based journalist about her experience researching these magnetic and highly documented icons of American and British culture.
How did you arrive at this topic for your book? I had been working on a different book idea about Jackie Kennedy when Prince William announced that he was bringing the Earthshot Prize, which is his big environmental award, to Boston. He had cited the Kennedy moonshot as his inspiration to launch this project, which supports and funds efforts to combat climate change.
I thought that was interesting — mostly because the Kennedys have long had this nickname of being the closest thing America has to a royal family, which is an idea they helped to foster. And here was Prince William, effectively using the Kennedy name and iconography and mythology to brand his major global initiative, so that was a reversal of sorts.
I went on to cover that royal visit to Boston for my job at Town & Country, and the itinerary for William and Kate involved the Kennedy family and the JFK Library in a big way. Prince William met with Caroline Kennedy, he toured the museum, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about these two families and their various connections.
How did you find fresh material about families that have been so well documented? It was certainly a challenge! But I found success in a few places. Many books and projects about these families have an incredibly broad scope. So, for example, a biography of Jackie Kennedy has to cover so much that it might only include a paragraph or two about her trip to London to cover Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. I was able to dedicate a whole chapter to that trip and really dig into her writing when she was at the Washington Times-Her-
Name: Caroline Hallemann
Hometown: Nashville
ZIP code: 37215
Time in Nashville: 37 years (minus 11 years at college and working in New York)
Number of visits to Buckingham Palace: 5
ald, because I think it’s a fascinating look at what she thought about before she was one of the most famous women in the world. That’s one element.
Another was that I went to the U.K. on a research trip, and what was really fruitful there was looking at archives about the Kennedy administration, President Kennedy’s death and the planning of the U.K. memorial to JFK — all from the perspective of the British government.
Finally, looking at the ’90s and JFK Jr. and Carolyn [Bessette Kennedy] and Princess Diana, there’s more willingness to have an open conversation about them, at least in part because they’ve passed away.
What surprised you most about the connections between the Windsors and the Kennedys? Probably how sustained the connection has been, and the fact that multiple generations of these families have continued to have relationships. One piece of history I didn’t know as much about before writing this book, and I think will come to a surprise to many people, is that JFK’s sister Kathleen (“Kick”) married into British aristocracy, a wedding that was discouraged by both her family and his. Sadly, that story, like many for the Kennedys, has a tragic end, but it’s a fascinating one.
Will you share one of your favorite anecdotes from the book? In the hours after Kennedy’s assassination, there was a frenzy in the U.K. over who would
represent the country at memorial services in the U.S. Queen Elizabeth was very pregnant with her fourth child at the time, so it was pretty quickly decided that Prince Philip would go in her place, along with a larger delegation. I tell the story of the funeral from the point of view of that delegation. After the burial, Jackie had to play hostess one last time at the White House for the diplomats. And at one point, she got overwhelmed and needed a break. She stumbled upon Prince Philip playing with her son JFK Jr., who had just turned 3 years old. I just love that story because, in that moment, it wasn’t about protocol — it was about Prince Philip being a father and helping to comfort a child in a really difficult moment.
What lesson or inspiration can a reader take away from these highly visible historic lives? What immediately comes to mind is that fame and money don’t buy happiness. Both of these families have enormous privilege but have also faced enormous tragedy. Unfortunately, that’s not very inspirational. But I think it also helps illustrate the idea that, yes, these are powerful figures — but they’re also just people. They have sibling rivalries and scandals and faux pas. And I think that relatability is part of why we continued to be fascinated by them.
BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ENGLAND
After 7 years sitting dormant, the Fontanel Mansion is once again open to the public
AT THE END of a mile-long winding drive just off Whites Creek Pike sits the recently reopened Fontanel Mansion, with a past almost as storied as that of its former owner, legendary country music star Barbara Mandrell. Having fallen into disrepair in recent years, a Buffalo, N.Y., developer purchased the property in 2022 vowing to restore and reimagine it.
“It’s not just a property — it’s history,” says Clinton Holcomb, who bought the Fontanel and 118 surrounding acres for just over $6 million and is currently operating it as an event space.
The 30,000-square-foot custom log home was designed by local architectural firm TuckHinton (rebranded in 2022 as Anecdote Architectural Experiences). The Fontanel is in good company. The firm’s other noteworthy projects include the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Music City Center and the Adventure Science Center.
Since Mandrell sold the property in 2002, it has changed hands a number of times. It was a tourist attraction, owned by local investors, from about 2010 to 2019. Then a Chicago investment group bought it, envisioning an artists’ community and resort. That project stalled right around the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, Clinton purchased the property at auction.
People have already held weddings, parties and corporate retreats in the mansion, which reopened in January after sitting dormant for seven years. Clinton is also open to conducting tours and organizing special events. He plans to build 135 cabins on the property, expanding the Fontanel’s reach and its possibilities. Whatever its future, Clinton says its past will always play a huge part.
“We didn’t really renovate it,” says Clinton. “What we did was restore it. And there’s a difference, right?” Many of the details unique to the house are still there, adding to its mystique. For example, in the great room, guests including Oprah, John Stamos and Chuck Norris have signed an exposed support post under a balcony. In an upstairs room designed as an ice cream parlor for Mandrell’s kids, family members’ names are listed on the wall in classic ’80s neon colors.
In addition to structural updates, Clinton has made aesthetic ones. When visitors first enter the foyer of the home, they’ll find lots of plants designed to bring the outside in. And on the back wall, they’ll see an impressionist mural by well-known artist TeliciaLee. It depicts an outdoor scene with a body of water, rolling hills and birds — as if reflecting what’s just beyond the doors of the mansion.
BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Clinton has reimagined spaces including the indoor pool area, ideal for a party or rehearsal dinner. Billowy, white ceiling drapes soften the glass pool enclosure. The pool has been covered so the room can accommodate 150 to 200 guests for a seated dinner. There’s an original custom grill that’s been restored.
“[Say] you have an event,” says Clinton. “If you want to have little skewers, you can literally have a chef here cooking skewers and pulling them right o of Barbara Mandrell’s grill. It’s just very cool.”
What was once Mandrell’s 3,000-square-foot primary suite — which included her bedroom, walk-in closet and marble bath — would now be a perfect spot for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready. White-leatherand-brass swivel stools face a built-in vanity with a trio of curved mirrors. There is no shortage of mirrors, crystal chandeliers (some original) and lounge areas. There’s even a gas fireplace. Nearly all the spaces can serve multiple purposes, depending on the occasion and the client’s vision.
There are myriad interesting rooms in the house, including a downstairs gun range, not far from the indoor pool. Upstairs, the wood paneled room originally designed as an ice cream parlor for Mandrell’s children is now a speakeasy, complete with a pool and a small stage, ideal for songwriter nights. While Clinton didn’t acquire the Inn at Fontanel (now The Grove at Whites Creek) or other surrounding businesses, there is plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, including a koi pond where he could imagine hosting one of the Bridgerton-themed tea experiences currently held at the mansion.
Creator of comfortable spaces
WALKING INTO COLOR, a home accessories and gift shop tucked away in the Paddock Place shopping center, is a little like entering the literary Secret Garden when it’s in bloom. Beautiful white and pink dogwood blossoms, hydrangeas and cherry blossoms fill the entryway. And while they’re faux flowers, the effect is no less stunning.
Owner Jason Grant says adding faux florals is an easy way to freshen up a space, as is the wide array of accessories — including throw pillows, lamps, baskets and ceramic vases — the store carries. For years, Jason has helped clients add finishing touches to their homes. Now, he will be helping them outfit those spaces from the ground up with Cocoon, his just-launched interior design business.
Jason’s penchant for design started when he was a child. “My grandmother was Japanese, and she loved fashion,” he says. “Every Sunday, she and I would watch the fashion runway shows, and she loved bright colors. … She was probably my biggest influence.”
In the East Nashville home he shares with his husband, Michael McKnight, and their two Yorkies, Matilda and Maisel, Jason’s style is eclectic and equally colorful.
“I have a lot of colors in my house right now,” he says. “I have a blue velvet sofa. … I have orange velvet chairs. I have artwork that has pink and all the colors in it. And I love it.” Yet when someone requests a neutral palette, Jason is happy to oblige. His work is all about adhering to the client’s personal taste, honoring the way they live and making their space feel comfortable — hence the name Cocoon.
“I want people to go into their family room, sit on the sofa, put a throw on their lap, and it be all cozy, no matter what time of year it is,” he says.
Jason moved around a lot as a child and even lived in Japan when he was 6. His family settled in Knoxville four years later. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in retail and consumer science, Jason moved to Nashville and got an interior design degree from Watkins College of Art (now part of Belmont University).
Along the way, he worked for an interior designer, The Bombay Company, and Ethan Allen — until that fateful day 17 years ago when he walked into Color, at the time located in Green Hills. Jason left his number in case they needed any help. A year later, the store called him back and hired him after he exhibited his talent for visual merchandising. Just over five years ago, he bought the store and relocated it to White Bridge Road.
Now that Color’s new location is established and its staff continues to grow, Jason felt it was a good time to launch Cocoon. “It’s my passion,” he says. “I went to school for it. I love it.”
One of his favorite parts of the process is space planning and placing furniture. When Jason was growing up, he’d rearrange the furniture while his mother was at work. Even now, when traveling, he’ll move around the furniture in a hotel room. “You can say ‘feng shui,’ but I just know when it doesn’t feel right,” says Jason. “People have to be comfortable in their space. If it’s not comfortable, then I change it.”
BY WHITNEY CLAY
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
A nature-first, all-inclusive resort offers high-end respite on the Tennessee River
AT MY FIRST DINNER at Wilder, the farm-totable restaurant at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, I spilled red wine on my white linen blouse. As I reached for a glass of water to blot the stain, the bartender rushed across the room, an orange Tide to Go pen in hand. Working behind the bar means the occasional spill, she said, so she keeps the laundry tool on hand. Would I like to use it?
That’s the kind of service offered at Windy Hill Farm, an all-inclusive, sustainability-focused resort along the Tennessee River in Loudon, Tenn. An attentive team is ready to shuttle you and your luggage across the property in a golf cart, light a bonfire at dusk’s first sight and avert laundry disasters. They also know that part of the appeal of Windy Hill Farm is its 650 acres of pristine rolling hills and the opportunity to commune with nature, so service is not obsequious or overbearing.
Windy Hill Farm opened in 2018, offering guided upland hunting outings, and expanded to a year-round resort in 2022. Since then, the Brewington Family of Knoxville (who purchased the property in 2014) has continued to operate it with an ecological focus, making the landscape the foundation for the retreat.
Nearly 75% of the Loudon County resort is pre-
served as native wildlife habitat. As you drive up the winding road to check in for your stay, you’ll see warmseason grasses and meadows with open views leading to wooded hiking trails. The property includes multiple hunting courses, private waterfront river access and other gateways to nature.
Former owner George W. Sampson (called “Big George” by the team) believed that “nowhere is as beautiful as East Tennessee.” And while sentiments like that are often attributed to the Smokies, his farm definitely makes the argument that you don’t need to get all the way to the mountains to experience great views and fresh air.
While the resort buildings are fairly compact, with short distances between the restaurant and accommodations, they are designed so you don’t necessarily hear your neighbors, particularly in the nine private cabins. Sit in deck chairs on your patio and take in the views, or get ready for dinner while listening to music from your in-room turntable.
The resort’s location and buildings offer views of both sunrise and sunset, making for a full day of natural wonder. But because Windy Hill Farm isn’t deep in the mountains, you’ll still have a strong cell signal should you need to connect with the outside world.
What: Windy Hill Farm and Preserve
Where: Loudon, Tenn.
Distance from Nashville: 170 miles
Why it stands out: With more than 75% of the property preserved as wildlife habitat with warm-season grasses and other native plants, this all-inclusive resort offers multiple hunting courses and other opportunities for community.
Windy Hill Farm is 30 miles from Knoxville and Oak Ridge, both of which offer museums and entertainment options. The resort is just seven miles from popular retirement community Tellico Village. Because Loudon is southwest of Knoxville, it’s an easy drive from Nashville and a good option for Nashvillians who want a mountain-like getaway without the congestion of the Smokies.
A robust, all-inclusive list of activities will keep you busy. There are two miles of Tennessee River shoreline with a private dock and kayaks and paddleboards at the ready. Archery, clay shooting, hiking, mountain biking, and arts and crafts classes are options, too. Or stroll through the orchard, or walk to see an eagle’s nest, or check out the beekeeping. Some activities are seasonal — plus, there are always yard games and kite flying. Book a yoga session or cooking demonstration. For many projects, such as eco printing with blooms picked from the fields, the landscape is the inspiration. The guided upland hunting outings are still available and popular in-season, aided by two dozen hunting dogs.
Wilder serves all three meals. Choose from the small dining room or eat alfresco with a view. Executive chef Ben Warwick and his team design menus around selections from the garden, which sits just a few steps from the dining room. Menus are well-edited and do not change daily. Robust wine and spirit lists accompany the meals (nonalcoholic drinks are included in the all-inclusive dining, but wine and spirits aren’t). Mention dietary restrictions in advance.
No matter how much dessert you have at the table, a s’more by the firepits is an end-of-night tradition. Because of the resort’s small size, getting a table is not an issue. The restaurant is open to the public for lunch and dinner (with limited availability).
Choose from three different kinds of accommodations. The Farmhouse has five bedrooms and a meeting space, and it’s designed for collaborative experiences with great views. There are eight traditional lodge rooms and nine private cabins, which have porches, vaulted ceilings, optional outdoor showers, more great views and a communal firepit. Create your own ambiance with in-room record players and a stack of vinyl at check-in. Select rooms are dog-friendly (with an additional pet fee).
BY MARGARET LITTMAN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF WINDY HILL FARM AND PRESERVE
For more than three decades, Nfocus has celebrated the people who shape Nashville through generosity, vision and service. As our city grows and evolves, a new generation of civic-minded leaders is stepping forward — bringing fresh ideas, boundless energy and a deep commitment to the organizations that strengthen our community.
Three years ago, we introduced Fresh Faces of Philanthropy to spotlight board members, volunteers and advocates 45 years and younger who are making a meaningful impact across Middle Tennessee. This year, the response to our call for honorees was overwhelming, with nominations highlighting the remarkable depth of service happening throughout our city.
After much consideration, we selected 12 outstanding individuals whose leadership, compassion and dedication continue to move Nashville forward.
Allow us to introduce the 2026 class of Fresh Faces of Philanthropy.
Editor: Janet Kurtz
Associate Editor: Madeleine Bradford
Art Director: Christie Passarello
Photographer: Tausha Dickinson
Photographer Assistant: Anthony Romano
Stylist: Bruce Pittman Inc.
Stylist Assistants: Tabitha Reading, Pam Scates, Linnea Tweedy
Hair and Makeup: Jessica Vaughn, Risa Rodriguez of Nashville Luxury Bridal
Location: The Manning
Profession: Business immigration attorney, Holland & Knight
Nonprofit: YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Empathy and understanding are central to Hadeel Abouhasira’s work at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. The organization provides trauma-informed services and a safe space for women and children to heal from domestic abuse. Committed to eliminating racism and empowering women, YWCA provides essential tools for independence, safety and success — both personally and professionally.
“YWCA Nashville serves as a lifeline in our community,” she says. “The organization provides safety and hope to survivors of domestic violence when they need it most.”
Hadeel’s lived experiences connect her to the women she serves. “I was raised in a traditional Middle Eastern and Muslim household [with] strict expectations of women,” she says. “That environment shaped my early understanding of relationships and gender roles and later contributed to finding myself in an unhealthy and abusive relationship that felt familiar, rather than alarming, at the time.”
Years later, she became a business immigration attorney, helping individuals, families and employers navigate the U.S. immigration system. Seeing other family dynamics pulled Hadeel’s relationship into sharper focus, revealing to her how harmful it was. Wanting to advocate for women with similar experiences, she became involved with YWCA in Richmond, Va. Shortly after relocating to Nashville in 2023, she joined YWCA Nashville’s junior board committee. “Continuing that involvement felt necessary,” she explains.
As junior board committee president, Hadeel is responsible for bringing YWCA Nashville’s impact to life. She leads fundraising and awareness efforts, supports community engagement initiatives, and participates in key events — like Wine, Women & Shoes — that meet women where they are and share the organization’s mission with a larger audience.
Pamper Night is one of Hadeel’s favorite junior board committee events. Residents of YWCA Nashville’s domestic violence shelter are treated to childcare, dinner, hair, makeup and other services that make them feel special and cared for. One survivor told Hadeel that after getting glammed up at Pamper Night, she felt confident enough to attend a job interview the next day — and ended up landing the position. Through fundraisers, toiletry drives and handson volunteer opportunities, Hadeel forms deep relationships with the women YWCA Nashville serves — and the people volunteering alongside her. “My commitment to YWCA Nashville is rooted in empowering women and leading with empathy,” she says. “Working alongside people so clearly dedicated to this work allows me to give back in a way that feels purposeful and aligned with the legacy I hope to leave behind.”
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD
You could say Joel Abramson walked into the Adventure Science Center as a guest and never left. His involvement with the 80-year-old educational landmark began as a visit with his own kids, then evolved into a career in which Joel shares the education and joy of science with children across the community.
“Not every student connects with science in a traditional classroom, but when they can experience it in a hands-on way, it starts to resonate differently,” he says. “Seeing a child have that real ‘aha’ moment, when something clicks and you can literally see their curiosity spark, is what makes the work feel meaningful every day.”
For Joel, every day in development at ASC brings opportunity to build relationships and partnerships with donors, foundations, corporations and volunteers. “One of the things I value most about Adventure Science Center is that it is truly a place for everyone, including families and students from under-resourced communities who may not always have easy access to handson learning experiences,” he says.
During his three years on staff, Joel has already helped cut the ribbon on 10 different exhibits, with subjects ranging from dinosaurs to Tennessee pollinators. Outside ASC’s iconic pyramid on Fort Negley Boulevard, Joel supports nonprofits including the Gordon Jewish Community Center, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the American Heart Association. He’s also an avid pickleball player.
“Joel is a strategic and creative thought partner whose philanthropic leadership has been transformative for the Adventure Science Center,” says president and chief executive officer Leah Melber.
As a visitor who turned a family field trip into a career, Joel hopes ASC will spark similar long-term opportunities for guests.
“What makes Adventure Science Center so special is the way it opens doors for people,” he says. “It is a place where kids can get curious, try things out and start to see what is possible for themselves, whether that leads to a career path down the line or just a deeper interest in how the world works.”
Chief advancement officer
Adventure Science Center
BY CARRINGTON FOX
mhtay@comcast.net
For Austin Pennington, Tennessee history is not simply something to study — it is something to preserve, celebrate and carry forward. A sixth-generation Tennessean, Austin grew up hearing stories about his great-grandfather, Joy’s Flowers founder Tom Joy, and learned early the importance of philanthropy, civic pride and community stewardship. Those values eventually led him to the Tennessee State Museum, where he has spent the last decade championing the stories that have shaped both Nashville and the state.
Austin says his passion for Tennessee history and preservation first drew him to the museum, but the organization’s broader mission kept him deeply involved. Over the years, he has chaired A Tennessee Waltz — the museum’s largest annual fundraiser — while also serving on the museum’s Young Professional Council.
As Nashville continues its rapid evolution, Austin believes understanding Tennessee’s past is essential. He points to the state’s extraordinary legacy — from its role in ratifying the 19th Amendment to shaping country music and expanding America westward — as proof that Tennessee’s story deserves preservation and celebration. “This organization promotes and empowers the voice of previous and founding Tennesseans to be heard forever,” he says.
Professionally, Austin brings the same appreciation for legacy and growth to his work in real estate development. Inspired by generations of builders in his family, Austin founded Barlow Builders after graduating from Belmont University. He still leads the 20-year-old company, which he’s since expanded into a real estate and infrastructure firm. Yet despite his entrepreneurial success, Austin says nothing makes him happier than spending time on his farm or creating communities families can call home.
Austin’s greatest hope for the Tennessee State Museum centers on education — particularly creating engaging programming that inspires younger generations to connect with Tennessee history in new ways. Exhibits like The State of Sound, he says, prove history can remain both meaningful and exciting.
“Austin has been an ardent advocate for the museum for years,” says Nancy Russell, resource development coordinator for the museum. “His passion for Tennessee history and commitment to preserving it for future generations have made a tremendous impact.”
BY JANET KURTZ
Shop: Gus Mayer
Dress: Oscar de la Renta
Earrings: Patricia Marie Fine Jewelry
Bracelet: Patricia Marie Fine Jewelry
Bangles: Model’s own
Necklaces: Model’s own
In a city that knows both heartbreak and hope, Katy Dieckhaus is helping shape what comes next.
On any given day, you might find her gathered around a table with community leaders, standing in a church fellowship hall or listening — really listening — to someone whose perspective differs from her own. As community engagement coordinator for Voices for a Safer Tennessee, Katy’s work isn’t defined by volume or visibility. It’s defined by intention, presence and the quiet, steady belief that meaningful change begins with connection.
Katy’s path to this work is deeply personal. On March 27, 2023, her family lost their sweet daughter Evelyn in the Covenant School tragedy, a moment that forever changed the trajectory of her life.
In the face of unimaginable grief, Katy made a choice. Instead of retreating, she leaned in — to her community, to conversations, and to the difficult, necessary work of ensuring other families might be spared that same loss.
Just weeks later, Katy and her husband stood among thousands at Linking Arms for Change, a peaceful gathering calling for thoughtful, productive solutions around firearm safety. In that crowd, she found something grounding: a shared commitment to do better, together.
What began as involvement quickly became purpose. Katy joined the board of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, and over time, she felt a pull she couldn’t ignore. After 17 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, a career rooted in care, patience and advocacy, she stepped into this work more fully, joining the staff in 2025.
It’s a natural evolution. Katy’s clinical background informs how she navigates complex, often emotional conversations, while her lived experience fuels her commitment to creating safer communities.
Colleagues describe her as a bridge-builder and someone who seeks common ground, even in the most difficult spaces. And that’s where Katy’s impact is most felt.
Voices for a Safer Tennessee has grown to reach tens of thousands across all 95 counties, grounded in a nonpartisan approach that prioritizes face-to-face dialogue over noise. Katy and her colleagues are at the heart of that effort, helping shift conversations from division to shared responsibility.
Profession: Community engagement coordinator
Nonprofit: Voices for a Safer Tennessee
Shoes: Model’s own
Guided by the words her daughter Evelyn once shared, that we should “love one another like birds making a nest,” and by the wisdom of her oldest daughter, Eleanor, who reminds her that “hope is a shining light that shines brighter in the darkness,” Katy carries grief, love and grace into every room she enters.
It’s that hope that fuels her work and her belief that, together, we can protect our loved ones from firearm accidents and tragedies. And in doing so, she is helping Nashville move forward with purpose, compassion and determination to protect what matters most.
BY GLORIA HOUGHLAND
Profession: Deputy director of strategy and advancement
Nonprofit: National Museum of African American Music
Shop: Levy’s Jacket: Castangia Shirt: Robert Talbott Pants: Levy’s Pocket square: Levy’s
Model’s own
Dexter D. Evans has always been surrounded by song. “I grew up in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, a small, predominantly Black city where music was everywhere,” he says. “Church choirs on Sunday. Motown on the radio. Marching band on Friday nights. Music shaped how I understood community, resilience and joy.”
Now, he harnesses his passion for music on a global stage, serving as the National Museum of African American Music’s deputy director of strategy and advancement. In 2022, Dexter launched fundraising efforts for the museum, which highlights gospel music, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues (R&B), and hip-hop. “I don’t do this for recognition,” he says. “I do it because I believe NMAAM is one of the most important cultural institutions in America, and I’m honored to help build it.”
Dexter’s passion for the arts, bridge-building skills and deep care for Nashville have helped him secure over $9 million in gift commitments and manage relationships with major corporate partners. Working directly with artists, Dexter welcomes more than 50 nationally recognized musicians into NMAAM, many of whom have donated artifacts to the museum’s collection.
“Dexter is one of the most talented fundraisers and communicators I’ve worked with in my career,” says William Jeffries, executive director of NMAAM. “He doesn’t just raise money. He builds believers.”
NMAAM narrates how Nashville would not be called “Music City” without Black music. In 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers performed spirituals for Queen Victoria in hopes of saving their university from bankruptcy. The power and vitality of their voices inspired the queen to dub Nashville “a great American city of music.” NMAAM emphasizes that this is where the city’s reputation came from. “Not Broadway,” says Dexter. “Not the honky-tonks. Nine Black students singing spirituals in front of a queen.”
Dexter’s time at the museum has taught him that preservation is an act of love. “Every artifact we collect, every story we tell [and] every student who walks through our doors is a statement that this history matters, that Black creativity matters and that the music people listen to every day has roots they deserve to understand,” he says.
His favorite aspect of NMAAM? “The artist moments,” he says. “When 50 Cent walks through our galleries. When Jon Batiste sits down at a piano in our lobby. When Bootsy Collins donates a piece of his history to our collection. Those moments remind me why we exist.”
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD
For Amos Glass, theater has never been just a profession — it’s a way of life. Now serving as interim executive director of Nashville Repertory Theatre, he brings nearly a decade of dedication, growth and heartfelt leadership to one of the city’s most cherished cultural institutions.
Amos joined Nashville Rep 10 years ago as an intern, never imagining the organization would become his long-term home. “I moved to Nashville thinking it would be a stepping stone to New York City,” he says. “But I fell in love with this city and its artistic community.” Early on, he recognized Nashville Rep as the city’s flagship theater and knew it was where he wanted to build his career.
Over the years, Amos has worked across nearly every facet of the organization, from development to marketing, rising steadily into leadership. Today, he is guiding the theater through a period of growth and momentum. For the past decade, Amos has also led Broadway Brunch, growing it into one of Nashville’s signature arts fundraising events and a vital source of support for the organization’s mission. He also recently helped launch The 1985 Society, a donor initiative focused on building long-term sustainability. “Building community and creating lasting support is what excites me most,” he says.
Raised in Bedford, Pa., Amos grew up immersed in theater. With a mother who acted and a father who directed, he spent much of his childhood backstage, surrounded by storytelling and creativity. He later studied theater along with economics and entrepreneurship, a combination that now shapes both his artistic vision and strategic leadership.
Amos credits Nashville Rep with shaping him both personally and professionally. “It taught me resilience, leadership and the importance of relationships,” he says. “Great organizations are built on people who believe in something bigger than themselves.”
Amos’s leadership reflects those values, as he brings people together, with clarity and purpose, to benefit the organization and the city. Board president Mark Peabody notes, he is “a true uniter, and everyone’s voice is heard.”
Looking ahead, Amos hopes to expand Nashville Rep’s reach across the Southeast and beyond, while continuing to champion inclusivity and representation. “I want everyone to see themselves reflected onstage, backstage and in our audience,” he says. “It’s not just about theater, it’s about connection, community and creating something bigger than ourselves.”
Profession: Interim executive director
Nonprofit: Nashville Repertory Theatre
BY GLORIA HOUGHLAND
Lifelong learner and bibliophile Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea gravitated to the Nashville Public Library immediately upon moving to Nashville in 2015 to be with his wife, Meghan. In 2020, he joined the board of the Nashville Public Library Foundation, which supports the work of the library system.
“I have always been passionate about the magic of books,” says Alvaro, a lawyer and educator who grew up in Lima, Peru, then earned a master’s degree from Vanderbilt Law School to transfer his legal education to the United States. “Books have been essential in my life, whether I was learning a new language, learning more about the law throughout my legal career, or exploring other cultures and realities.”
As chair of the foundation’s program committee, Alvaro supports board member engagement with the library’s programs and lends corporate legal experience to reviewing bylaws and regulations. He also supports NPL and the foundation by attending Metro Council budget meetings to underscore the importance of library programming for the community.
“I hope that we continue doing a stellar job supporting the Nashville Public Library, making sure more members of our community are able to connect with the programs and resources that are available,” says Alvaro, who enjoys sharing the library with his 5-year-old son. “I hope we grow more programs and initiatives and continue to keep up with the city’s growth and needs, so that libraries are seen as places to find answers, community and opportunities.”
Alvaro, who speaks English, Spanish and German, has volunteered with nonprofits Conexión Américas, Siloam Health, Family Reconciliation Center and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, among others. Whether he is teaching English as a second language, translating documents or using his legal skills, Alvaro is always eager to help and support the community. At Vanderbilt Law School, he directs the student-staffed immigration clinic and teaches immigration law and policy.
“Immigration law allows me not only to meet amazing people from everywhere, but also to support them, often at very difficult moments in their lives,” he says. “I believe my passion for cultures, learning and helping others has led me to be a strong representative of the Nashville Public Library Foundation.”
BY CARRINGTON FOX
Profession: Wealth management adviser, Northern Trust Wealth Management
Nonprofit: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Shop: Levy’s
Jacket: Jack Victor
Shirt: Eton
Pants: Giles & Jasper
Pocket square: Model’s own Belt: Model’s own
For McKenzie Mullins, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens has always felt like home. Long before he became a cofounder of the Council of Contemporaries or co-chaired the Summer Soirée, he wandered the historic estate as a child — captivated by its art, architecture and gardens. Today, that childhood connection has transformed into a deep commitment to preserving one of Nashville’s most treasured cultural institutions.
As vice president at Northern Trust Wealth Management, McKenzie spends his professional life helping families think long-term — balancing growth, legacy and stewardship. He sees a similar philosophy reflected in Cheekwood’s mission.
“Like planting a garden, serving families with complex needs requires expert multigenerational planning with a long-term holistic approach,” he says.
That perspective helped inspire his work with Cheekwood’s Council of Contemporaries, a young professionals group founded in 2023 that has quickly grown from 11 founding members to more than 100 members. The organization connects emerging leaders and creatives with the museum and gardens while cultivating the next generation of supporters, volunteers and board leaders.
“McKenzie has been instrumental in shaping Cheekwood’s Council of Contemporaries from the very beginning, continuing to lead with energy, creativity and a genuine commitment to building the next generation of support,” says Jane MacLeod, president and CEO of Cheekwood.
“His active involvement has strengthened our community and expanded the ways young professionals connect with Cheekwood’s mission.”
McKenzie credits Cheekwood not only with enriching Nashville’s cultural landscape but also offering a place of reflection and renewal. During the pandemic, he found himself reconnecting with nature while walking the grounds and observing the changing seasons. He often returns to a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience.”
In a city experiencing rapid growth and transformation, McKenzie believes preserving historic places like Cheekwood matters more than ever. He sees the institution as both a reminder of Nashville’s history and a symbol of the city’s evolving cultural identity. He also believes organizations like Cheekwood help connect natives and newcomers through shared experiences rooted in art, nature and community.
Born in Nashville and raised just across the Tennessee border in South Central Kentucky, McKenzie says returning to Nashville has always felt like coming home. Watching the city grow throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s shaped his appreciation for the arts and civic life that continue to define Nashville today.
“I am proud of Nashville,” McKenzie says. “I want people to walk away knowing this is a worldclass city.”
BY JANET KURTZ
Program director
Nonprofit: Jonathan’s Path
For Juleesia Santiago-Karim, supporting young people through life’s most difficult moments is not simply a career — it is deeply personal. Raised in the Bronx by a single mother alongside her two older sisters, Juleesia experienced instability firsthand when her family lost housing just as she prepared to graduate high school. That experience shaped her understanding of hardship and her commitment to ensuring young people never have to navigate those challenges alone.
Today, as program director for Jonathan’s Path, Juleesia provides critical support for youth aging out of foster care and navigating complex systems without traditional family safety nets. She oversees programming initiatives, volunteer engagement and community partnerships while helping lead fundraising efforts like the Bright Soles Bash, which raised more than $200,000 to support the organization’s Path Line program.
Juleesia says she felt drawn to Jonathan’s Path because of its willingness to think differently about child welfare. Rather than focusing solely on placement, the organization works to create long-term stability through housing support, transportation assistance, emergency financial help and relationship-centered care.
“This work has deepened my understanding that while systems often operate in black and white, the needs of young people exist in the gray,” she says.
That perspective has guided Juleesia throughout her career. While attending Buffalo State College, she worked multiple jobs to support herself while mentoring young people from backgrounds similar to her own. She later served with City Year in the South Bronx and worked with organizations including buildOn and iMentor, helping students with civic engagement, service learning and college readiness — and even leading a group abroad to build a school in Nicaragua. After relocating to Nashville, Juleesia completed her undergraduate degree at Belmont University and now pursues a Master of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
What inspires her most, however, is the resilience of the young people she serves each day.
“At its core,” Juleesia says, “this work is about showing up — consistently and compassionately — so that no young person has to navigate life’s hardest moments alone.”
BY JANET KURTZ
co-listed with Steve Fridrich
TRULY EXCEPTIONAL 93-ACRE ESTATE 3 MILES SOUTH OF LEIPERS FORK VILLAGE 5476 Leipers Creek Rd, Franklin
co-listed with Steve Fridrich
Profession: Philanthropy manager
Nonprofit: Friends Life Community
When Caroline Swenson moved to Nashville five years ago, she struggled to find her people. But her search quickly came to an end after getting involved with Friends Life Community. The Friends — adults with disabilities who participate in social, community and art programs — made her feel seen, valued and welcomed into the organization, where she now serves as philanthropy manager.
FLC’s key initiatives — life skills instruction, service learning and employment courses, and advocacy through the arts — help the Friends develop socially, find community and flourish. To increase accessibility, nearly 60% of care costs are subsidized. This tangible impact initially drew in Caroline, who has several family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Friends remain at the heart of all Caroline does, whether it’s planning fundraisers, hosting community events, highlighting FLC’s mission on social media or fostering genuine relationships among participants, staff and supporters. “The Friends and their families often describe FLC as their utopia — a place where they feel safe, seen and valued,” she says. “That sense of belonging shines through in everything we do.”
Philanthropy has always been integral to Caroline’s life. Her great-grandfather was the last living member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His legacy, carried forward by her grandparents and parents, inspired her to give back at an early age and organize St. Jude fundraisers from childhood through high school. While attending the University of Mississippi, she strengthened her commitment to fundraising when the work became even more personal. After her boyfriend passed away from brain cancer, she organized a campus 5K in his honor alongside his best friend, bringing together hundreds of students and raising $25,000 for pediatric brain cancer research.
In her time with Friends Life, Caroline has created out-of-the-box outreach programs and led record-breaking fundraisers, like last year’s Backyard BBQ and Bluegrass Bash, which exceeded its goal by 123%. “Her work doesn’t just support the mission — it makes people feel it and understand it,” says Lauren Zook, FLC’s vice president of philanthropy. “Simply put, Caroline embodies the very best of what philanthropy can be.”
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD
The 85th running of the Iroquois Steeplechase offers a heart-pounding finish
What began as a dream among a group of fox-hunting enthusiasts, on a racecourse built by the Works Progress Administration, has evolved into an annual tradition that spans generations. Now in its 85th year, the Iroquois Steeplechase enjoys a reputation in the horse racing world for superior track conditions and a commitment to philanthropy.
On May 10, 1941 — seven months before the United States entered World War II — organizers ran the first Iroquois Steeplechase. That inaugural race, won by a horse named Rockmayne, cemented the event in Nashville culture. Every second Saturday in May, Nashvillians descend on Percy Warner Park carrying baskets of picnic delights and dressed in spring finery — complete with stylish chapeaus — to take in the sights and cheer on their favorite horses. Now, more than eight decades later, horses, trainers and jockeys travel from around the world to compete in the prestigious race where destinies and dynasties take shape.
For the 85th running, the weather could not have been more pristine. Blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds provided moments of welcome shade throughout the day. Multiple generations of families arrived, as one racegoer described it, “suited and booted” for the big race with even bigger stakes. Guests visited the Nfocus Portrait Studio, presented by Oak Hall, for a chance to enter the Nfocus Steeplechase Style Contest. Competition ran high as judges selected the winners: Keyna Rankin as the Most Stylish Female, Jeff Garner as the Most Stylish Male, Memorie White and her son Donovan as the Best-Dressed Duo, Amber Gilock with the Most Fun Look, and Julie Schneider with the Best Hat.
As beautiful as the pageantry is, the day is also about philanthropy. Since 1981, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has been Steeplchase’s primary beneficiary, with other beneficiaries including Warner Parks and The Foundation for the Horse.
Per tradition, Mel’s Fox Hounds paraded down the track — some baying as they trotted beside the horses — while young Steeplechasers joined the fun during the annual stick horse race. This year, organizers added a new twist with a music stage featuring singer-songwriter Filmore.
While fashion remained on full display, races kept the energy high throughout the day. Race Five, the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes, delivered a heart-pounding finish worthy of the history books. Race favorite Swore, owned by Patrick Lewis of Upland Flats Racing , jumped out to an early lead and held strong through the first lap. During the second lap, Swore maintained his advantage as onlookers cheered him on. He cleared the final jump at Heartbreak Hill and appeared poised for victory before Zabeel Champion surged ahead by inches at the finish line in a thrilling conclusion. While this was not his year, Swore has certainly become a hometown hero who will likely return next year to this tradition that continues to captivate generation after generation.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND, MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS, HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
The Hermitage Spring Outing spotlights women who helped shape America
In 1889, two women driven by purpose — Amy Jackson and Mary Dorris — gathered Nashville’s ladies to save Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. The Ladies Hermitage Association fought to preserve the home and ensure it would remain a space for education and important conversations. In 1901, the LHA hosted the first Spring Outing to raise funds for preservation efforts.
Over a century later, donors and supporters arrived at the Hermitage for the 125th Spring Outing. To reach the luncheon tent, floral-bedecked guests walked the Path of Glory, a temporary installation of 1,776 American flags honoring the 250th birthday of the United States. As guests arrived, co-chairs Suzanne Smothers, Jennifer Stadler and Robi Warner circulated the crowd, building excitement about this year’s excellent keynote — a discussion between two esteemed women driven by purpose, Norah O’Donnell and Kate Andersen Brower, coauthors of We the Women
The book honors unsung female historical figures who helped shape the nation. O’Donnell, senior correspondent for CBS News, summarized the theme of the book by reminding the rapt audience: “Women are not a footnote in history.”
The pair told the story of Mary Katherine Goddard, the first female postmaster general who was appointed by Benjamin Franklin and also ran a print shop. The framers of the Declaration of Independence turned to Goddard to print copies of the cornerstone document to distribute to the states. The authors also discussed Phillis Wheatley, the first Black woman in America to publish a book of poetry. And they remembered the legacy of Rachel Jackson, former first lady and resident of the Hermitage, whom they identified as the first real “victim” of presidential politics.
The afternoon continued with story after story of women whose contributions have remained largely hidden from the history books. But O’Donnell closed with an uplifting message: “I’m hopeful about a whole new generation of leaders in America that don’t see boundaries — that don’t see limitations on what they can do.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Bacco chef Nicky Miscia celebrates culture, flavor and tradition with every dish
FOR CHEF NICKY MISCIA, the most memorable dining experiences inspire conviviality — a celebration of culinary artistry and the company you’re with. This is precisely what he aims to evoke with Bacco, a brand-new Italian steakhouse inside the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville.
Named after Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, Bacco honors the warmth and abundance of Italian tradition. Everything from its bountiful menu to its Spaghetti-Western-inspired décor is rooted in Miscia’s Tuscan heritage, which he skillfully translates for his Tennessean clientèle.
“Italy is not just a country,” he says. “It’s a bunch of regions that come together with different identities.”
Miscia and his team offer distinct Tuscan flavors in ways that somehow feel traditional, fresh and authentically Nashville all at once.
Take Bacco’s brunch menu, for example, which Miscia created because he knows how important brunch is to Nashvillians. Offerings include ricotta pancakes with candied lemon rind, steak and eggs with Italian salsa verde and charred tomato, and a frittata with potatoes, onions, braised lamb, arugula and fontina cheese.
“Bacco is offering something quite unique, because it brings together Italian hospitality and Southern hospitality,” he says. “Tuscan tradition grounded in Tennessee and Nashville reality.”
WHILE LUXE AND elegant, Bacco’s atmosphere conjures the feeling of stepping into a friend’s house. Textured materials, warm tones, custom furnishings by design firm AvroKO, and a newly opened allseasons terrazza encourage you to relax and let your server (aptly called your “captain”) steer your experience.
When guests approach the host stand, they’re greeted with complimentary Crodinos — legendary Italian bitter aperitifs — to prime the palate. “Since the ’60s, everybody from kids to senior citizens in Italy drinks it as a moment of relaxation,” says Miscia.
Bacco’s team focuses on creating a comfortable experience while still offering elements of surprise. Out-of-the-box presentations set even a simple bread service apart. Fluffy pizetta bianca is meant to be torn and paired with an olive oil topping that’s shaped like tiny olives and spreadable like butter (“a secret recipe,” says Miscia). And only at Bacco will your crispy artichokes arrive in a vase, intricately carved like flowers and adorned with citrus-coriander aioli and fried rosemary.
“As much as we want to be true to ourselves [and] keep our feet in Italian tradition, it’s nice to have fun,” says Miscia. “Why not play a little bit with our experience?”
BACCO OFFERS PREMIUM steak and seafood options, like coriander-cured tuna loin, served with heirloom tomato hearts and lime. But Miscia’s favorite dishes to serve (and eat) are Bacco’s housemade pastas. Think spicy gnocchetti sardi and squash-blossom-and-basil-adorned conchiglie al pesto. “[There’s] nothing better than sharing some great pasta,” he says.
Everything, from antipasti to main entrées, is served familystyle, mirroring Miscia’s upbringing, where he and his family would pass plates around the dinner table. “What we are trying is all about sharing,” he says. “Life is better when you share it with somebody else.”
His culinary process begins with considering what’s in season. He then collaborates with fellow chefs, such as Four Seasons Hotel Nashville executive chef Derek Simcik, to “make the ingredients sing” by bringing out their natural flavors with minimal modification. With a passion for supporting local meat and produce purveyors, Miscia seeks to honor both his Tuscan origins and current Nashville home on every plate.
“If you’re trying a Fiorentina steak from Florence, I can guarantee you most likely are going to know the name of the farmer making it,” he says. “And that’s the idea behind our meat program — being able to give back to the community, which gives us so much.”
MANY OF BACCO’S dishes evoke “food memories” for Miscia. Take his bombolini, for example — a brioche dough delicacy coated in caster sugar and filled with pastry cream that he used to eat as a kid. “Whenever I get that first bite after working on the dish, my mind [goes] back to 1997, when we were summer vacationing in the Fiat Uno of my father without air conditioning,” he says.
Italian Bonelle gelée candies spark another such food memory, and Bacco diners receive them in glass dishes at the end of their meal. Miscia attests that the tender fruit-flavored gummies remind him of his Tuscan childhood — and are highly addictive. “Be careful,” he playfully advises.
When he’s in the kitchen, Miscia thinks back to the joyful reaction he got from his mom and sister when he first cooked for them. Providing that same joy to Nashville’s community motivates him to think on his feet and discover new ways to bring Tuscan tradition to an American audience.
“The sky’s the limit,” says Miscia. “[I] cannot wait for what is coming up for Bacco and for this great, amazing city.”
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND AND COURTESY OF BACCO
The Glitz & Glamour Gala supports the Tennessee Kidney Foundation in style
t the Glitz & Glamour Gala, guests donned sparkly ensembles and entered an Art Deco escape to support a worthy cause — the fight against kidney disease, which impacts 1 in 7 adults in the United States.
Since 1972, the Tennessee Kidney Foundation has raised awareness and provided critical access to life-sustaining care and preventative disease education. But the organization isn’t just focused on the disease. Rather, it takes a holistic approach, considering the many factors that contribute to kidney conditions. Nutrition is one such factor, and TKF’s meal delivery program ensures patients receive seven dietitian-curated, kidney-friendly meals per week at no cost.
The organization also makes transportation more accessible for patients who need help getting to their appointments — as just one missed treatment can lead to hospitalization or an emergency room visit. TKF’s transportation assistance program relieves this burden, offering AccessRide tickets, bus passes, fuel cards and private door-to-door transportation.
At this year’s gala, guests pulled out their finest attire for an evening brimming with Old Hollywood glamour. Multiple generations filled the ballroom at Omni Hotel Nashville — adorned with red and gold décor for the event — all equally eager to raise awareness for the cause.
Lively emcees Bree Smith and Hunter Hoagland, both of WSMV 4, welcomed the crowd, thanking supporters. Co-chairs Tammy Gilbert Cardona and Amy Peterson highlighted that, thanks to generous donations, dozens of patients in need have been taken off the waitlist for treatment and food security programs. Support from the gala also helps fund TKF’s prevention programming and free kidney disease screenings. Through advocacy, accessibility and education, TKF empowers Middle Tennesseans across 46 counties, equipping them to live healthier, fuller lives.
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEYTON HOGE
The Gordon Jewish Community Center celebrates the decades with Big Night Out
In 1902, 20 young men gathered at the Gay Street synagogue for the first meeting of what eventually became the Gordon Jewish Community Center. Then known as the Young Men’s Hebrew Association, the group secured a meeting space on Cherry Street that offered a library and reading rooms, a recreation parlor “with all sorts of harmless games,” a gymnasium, a swimming pool, public lectures and a literary and debate club. The marketing brochure also promised an advantage to membership: “a club life of the cleaner and better sort.”
Today, one of the most lively, community-focused nights of the year is the same organization’s Big Night Out. Each year, members come together to raise funds for the center, and a signature theme sets the tone for the evening. This year, co-chairs Rachel Bernstein, Leslye Lapidus and Tara Mittelberg chose Jukebox Journey: Dancing Through the Decades — and guests embraced it. As attendees arrived and checked seating assignments displayed on a wall of records, many wore looks inspired by the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Glitter and gold lamé abounded as guests chatted excitedly about the fun of the evening.
During the reception, guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres by Goldie Shepard while browsing a wide array of silent auction items. Goldie’s famous meatballs ranked among the most popular dishes of the evening. Auction lots included a signature Hydrafacial and premium skincare products from Gold Skin Care Center, diamond studs from Genesis Diamonds, two nights at the Wynn Las Vegas and — one of the most sought-after items — an exclusive annual Gordon JCC parking spot.
Guests laughed, dined and bid throughout the night. Organizers also created a Spotify playlist as a parting gift, ensuring the fun continued even after the evening ended.
BY JANET KURTZ
Grand Night supports the Nashville Children’s Theatre and offers a trip around the world
f you’ve never been to a Nashville Children’s Theatre fundraiser before, keep this in mind — they aren’t your typical soirées.
Yes, there are cocktails, auction items and evening gowns. But instead of following traditional programming, the annual Grand Night fundraiser is immersive and interactive, fostering wonder in its guests and exploring a new theme each year. For NCT, 2026 is the year of international voyages.
This year’s theme, All the World’s a Stage, presented the opportunity to not only support local art but also learn about other cultures. Guests excitedly filed into NCT, donning their Saturday night best. After enjoying a cocktail reception and silent auction, revelers traveled to a backstage room, which had been transformed into a dining room for the evening. Laughter and conversation filled the air as guests anticipated the coming activities.
Before long, guests received their “boarding passes” — tickets to their VIP excursions. Cultural experiences included a Sips Around the World beverage tasting, a coffee tasting workshop from The Well Coffeehouse, a hands-on bingata textiles class, and a lively salsa lesson that had guests twirling and laughing from start to finish. Offering a little of everything, the evening posed a prime opportunity to try something new and meet like-minded people.
The funds raised at this year’s Grand Night will help NCT continue to lead the charge as the country’s oldest youth-centered professional theater company. Holding fast to the belief that the arts are for everyone, NCT offers scholarships or financial aid to onethird of its youth participants, ensuring that every child has a seat.
While it’s always intriguing to see Grand Night’s theme come to life, perhaps the most exciting thing about the event is how it embodies NCT’s mission — immersing guests in the same sense of magic and wonder that theater fosters in its audience.
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRISTEN DRUM
The Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party sparkles on a dazzling spring evening
ven the threat of April showers couldn’t dampen the spirits of hearty revelers attending the Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party at Kelly Crockett’s beautiful home. The runway show, now in its 21st year, has become the most anticipated fashion event on the social calendar, with savvy guests planning their looks months in advance.
Co-chairs Marci Houff and Laura Kimbrell and new executive chair Ashley Rosen — her first year in the role — excitedly visited with guests. The secret was out that the fashion show had not only sold out, but raised over $1 million for the Nashville Symphony. Alex Bolen, Oscar de la Renta CEO, and his wife Eliza Bolen, executive vice president of the label and de la Renta’s stepdaughter, charmed guests as they represented the show’s headline designer. A jazz band kept the mood lively as guests perused a dazzling display of sparkling gems by Diamond Cellar, the Symphony Fashion Show’s official jeweler.
Nashville Symphony president and CEO Alan Valentine, who is retiring at the end of June, expressed his thanks to all who were there — but especially to the event’s chairs. “I know I say this every year, [but] every one of us stands on the shoulders of everyone who came before us,” he said. “It’s been amazing to have a front row seat for 28 years in Nashville, and for the last 21 to watch what has happened to this extraordinary event.”
Just as a little gust kicked up, Marci joked about the weather. “You know how we always worry about rain in Tennessee?” she said. “I came up with something: April showers bring Oscar flowers.” She then thanked the event’s myriad supporters, including Gus Mayer — in its 16th year of supporting the show — and cohosts Amy and Kenneth Adams, Vicki and Rick Horne, Shaun and Gordon Inman, Nancy and Mark Peacock, and Sheila Shields.
Laura highlighted that through their generous giving, the evening’s guests were helping the Nashville Symphony provide musical education to students in underserved areas through the Accelerando program. “And who knows?” she said. “Maybe the next Rachmaninoff is within our orbit, and it’ll be the symphony and the Accelerando program that finds them.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Frédéric Rouzaud President & CEO
Maison Louis Roederer
de Pez • Diamond Creek Vineyards •
The Symphony Fashion Show shines while raising record-breaking funds
t the Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party, co-chair Marci Houff quipped, “April showers bring Oscar flowers.” And that is exactly what happened at the Symphony Fashion Show, fashion’s biggest night in Nashville. While steelgray skies loomed overhead, the city’s fashion elite arrived in an array of floral looks by headliner Oscar de la Renta — many from show partner Gus Mayer.
Marci and co-chair Laura Kimbrell welcomed guests alongside executive chair Ashley Rosen. The trio joined event planner Bruce Pittman and the Oscar de la Renta team to create a spectacular setting for the evening. Drawing inspiration from a blue floral gown in the designer’s fall 2026 collection, they transformed the courtyard into a tropical oasis complete with blue-and-green parakeets. Alex Bolen, chief executive officer of Oscar de la Renta, and his wife Eliza, executive vice president of the label and stepdaughter of the late designer, greeted guests.
When attendees took their seats, storms hovered overhead, threatening to end emcee Danielle Breezy’s opening speech early. Thankfully, the weather held. Lainey Wilson, Grammywinning entertainer and reigning Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, delivered one of the evening’s most anticipated moments, leaving the room in captivated silence as she performed “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Each year, the fashion show raises funds for the Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando program, which gives students from diverse backgrounds opportunities to pursue music. Angel, an Accelerando member, brought the event’s mission home, discussing his experience in the program and the doors it’s opened for him.
When the runway presentation began, models showcased looks from Oscar de la Renta’s fall collection — which paired botanical-inspired details with modern silhouettes. Standout pieces included a gown covered with sculptural peonies, a pink skirt suit with a high neckline and several dresses featuring an eye-catching maple leaf motif.
After the show, patrons gathered for a buffet dinner and discussed their favorite looks from the collection. By evening’s end, the Symphony Fashion Show once again proved that in Nashville, style and philanthropy make a striking pair.
BY JANET KURTZ
The 51st Harding Art Show inspires hope and joy
Decade by decade, the Harding Art Show continues to solidify itself as one of the Southeast’s most popular and profitable art exhibitions, attracting artists from across the country and supporting the school’s arts education programs since 1975.
Now entering its sixth decade, the 51st annual event drew thousands of visitors to campus to peruse booths by over 100 artists. The weekend offered a little something for everyone, showcasing an array of media — paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs and jewelry galore. While a feast for the eyes, the gathering was also prime time for socializing. Co-chairs Julie Marshall and Kate Schneider mingled with attendees, chatting about which pieces they’d been eyeing. And many guests struck up meaningful conversations with the artists, who shared key insights into their processes and inspiration.
Featured artist Blaire Wheeler drew crowds — and many buyers — to her booth of gleaming gold-leaf pieces. Ranging from small canvases to floor-to-ceiling showstoppers, the Nashville-based artist’s gilded work represented what Harding Academy leaders consider the golden age of the Harding Art Show. Wheeler’s signature hummingbirds and butterflies symbolize hope and joy — precisely what the co-chairs wanted this year’s show to inspire.
While opening night couldn’t have been more celebratory, the weekend provided plenty more opportunities to support Harding Academy and appreciate art. On Friday, school supporters and alumni connected over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. And Saturday focused on families, offering hands-on activities for all ages, live music and plenty of food. With excitement for next year already rising, this year’s Harding Art Show closed on the highest note possible.
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD
The Tiffany Circle Spring Gathering raises a glass to the American Red Cross
On a picturesque May evening, philanthropists and health advocates gathered at Anita and Larry Cash’s Tuscan home for the annual Tiffany Circle Spring Gathering. Hors d’oeuvres circulated, libations flowed and spirits soared as the women of the Tiffany Circle united to celebrate the work of the American Red Cross with their significant others.
The Spring Gathering is the one time of year when Tiffany Circle members can invite their spouses to learn more about the organization’s mission and raise a toast to their hard work. Members invest their time, talent and treasure in supporting essential American Red Cross services, like disaster relief, veteran support and blood donation.
After a lively cocktail hour, Anita welcomed guests and acknowledged Nashville Tiffany Circle chapter founding member Barbara Bovender, who recently received the Clara Barton Award for her excellence in leadership. Joanne Sowell, chair of Nashville’s Tiffany Circle chapter, highlighted the history of the American Red Cross and Tiffany Circle’s role in preventing and aiding in times of crisis.
She then introduced keynote speaker Jarrett Barrios, senior vice president for Service to Armed Forces and International Services at the American Red Cross. Jarrett discussed Barton’s reputation as the angel of the battlefield — and how her legacy continues to inform the Red Cross’ mission.
“When she came to Prussia to operate the Red Cross health response, she wasn’t new to battle, but she was new to doing it in this way — taking care of soldiers on both sides,” he said. “It didn’t matter your nationality. What mattered was that you were human and that you needed to be cared for.”
After Jarrett mentioned that Barton was the first woman to have a non-secretarial job in the U.S. government, Tiffany Circle member Katie Crumbo spoke five resonant words: “We should applaud for that.” From start to end, the evening flowed with appreciation and pride for how the American Red Cross began — and more importantly, where it’s going.
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
J UNE 16 TO J ULY 31 PRESENTED BY
The Cheekwood Society celebrates extraordinary philanthropy
Members of the Cheekwood Society gathered on the Swan Lawn for the 31st annual Cheekwood Society Dinner, for which event designer Amos Gott created a beautiful and subtle nod to America’s 250th birthday. Champagne and wine circulated on silver trays, in a setting where willow basket centerpieces played against rattan shades on dinner tent chandeliers.
As guests took their seats, wine stewards arrived with glasses of Champagne — signaling exciting news to come. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens CEO Jane MacLeod shared the journey the organization had been on to renew its parking arrangement through Metro Parks and emphasized the urgent need for a parking structure by the end of 2027.
“But here at Cheekwood, we take lessons from the trees and the flowers that bloom each year despite late freezes, ice storms, drought conditions and wind storms,” she said. “And like our gardens, if we’re anything, we are resilient.”
Then, with a dramatic pause, Jane asked everyone to raise their glasses as she announced that donors had already quietly made more than 1,000 gifts in support of a new parking pavilion, totaling $22 million toward Cheekwood’s goal of $26 million. The room erupted in applause.
After dinner, it was time for annual awards, with three honors going to stalwart supporters of Cheekwood. The Jane and Guilford Dudley Award for Excellence in Philanthropy went to Neil Krugman. The Cheekwood Corporate Award for Excellence in Philanthropy went to Genesco. And the James A. Webb III Award for Extraordinary Service to Cheekwood went to Deby Pitts, a passionate gardener and the outgoing president of the Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee.
“I see Cheekwood not only as a historic estate, but as a place that nourishes my soul with its beauty and its pure nature,” Deby shared. “As I watched my children — and today, watch my grandchildren — explore the mansion and the gardens and enjoy the magic of Cheekwood, it makes me understand that the reason that we’re all here tonight is that we are creating the future for the next generation.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
The Friends of Warner Parks’ Spring Luncheon celebrates a return to the trails
Sun shone on the fifth annual Friends of Warner Parks Spring Luncheon, as co-chairs Cathy Grier, Jodie Lawton, Aleigh Sanchez and Caroline Tompkins welcomed guests back to the Nature Center, like so many wildflowers returning to the surrounding woods and meadows of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks.
The perennial event supports the preservation, stewardship and protection of the nearly 3,200 acres of fields and forests in the Warner Parks system, a natural asset dear to this group.
During the reception, guests mingled while browsing raffle items, including coveted prizes like a suite of Yeti products and a luxury shelter dinner in the park . As always on a beautiful spring afternoon, convincing attendees to leave the sunny setting and make their way into the luncheon tent proved difficult. Friends of Warner Parks president Jenny Hannon handled the task with her usual grace and warmth.
Once guests settled into their seats, Jenny reminded them that during last year’s luncheon, she asked everyone to close their eyes and imagine life without the parks. “Sadly, this year we learned we didn’t have to close our eyes,” she said.
Jenny shared that the organization had received overwhelming support when winter storm Fern destroyed more than 5,000 trees — some 2,000 of which fell across roads and trails — forcing the parks to close for two months.
She then recounted a conversation she’d had the weekend before the luncheon, when she’d encountered a fellow hiker happy to be back on the park’s trails. Pointing to the nature surrounding them, he told Jenny, “You can’t buy this.”
“And he is exactly right,” Jenny told the group. “That is why I think this is such a special place for all of us. It’s truly a gift.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
The Nfocus Homes of Distinction Party shines at a new luxury residence
On a crisp May evening, guests gathered at The Manning for the annual Nfocus Homes of Distinction party, presented by Myers Flooring of Nashville. The event celebrated the latest edition of our wildly popular homes issue — giving readers an inside look at one of the featured properties.
The event unfolded as a progressive dinner, starting with passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations throughout the property from G Catering . Revelers enjoyed poolside cocktails from Laelia Tequila and Vital Premium Hard Seltzer while visiting installations by Tiba Boutique Spa and Top Shelf Organizing. Many also popped inside the Nfocus Portrait Studio to grab a quick photo from the evening.
As the sun began to set, the atmosphere shifted into an elegant spring soirée with conversation echoing through the indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests lingered beside the pool, catching up with friends and discussing favorite design details featured throughout the issue. The evening also offered a chance for readers, designers and homeowners to connect while celebrating Nashville’s evolving luxury market and the creativity shaping residential design across the city.
Guests explored The Manning at their leisure, perusing the building’s library, boardroom and wine locker — which already boasted several stored bottles behind its gleaming glass walls. Many also made their way to the spacious penthouse, where sweeping views of Nashville and an invitingly open layout seemed to stretch on for days.
Several guests continued to unit 302 — a featured Home of Distinction — where interior designer Robin Rains had masterfully blended antiques with contemporary furnishings. Unit 402 was also open for self-guided tours, and many attendees compared notes between the two residences.
Residents of The Manning joined the festivities and shared their favorite aspects of the building, including their preferred views, the state-of-the-art gym and the professionalism and kindness of the staff.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
PRESENTED BY
THANK YOU to all of our wonderful sponsors!
The Call of the Wild Dinner celebrates the Nashville Zoo’s conservation excellence
This year’s Call of the Wild Dinner for the Nashville Zoo rolled out the red carpet for stars with scales, fur, feathers and shells. Guests couldn’t help but “ooh” and “ahh” when spending time with several beloved animal ambassadors — a charming pair of tortoises, Gully the sloth (boyfriend to Fern the sloth), Sasha the Burmese python, Alexander Hamilton the (juvenile) African serval, and Wednesday the vulture.
As with every Nashville Zoo event, this evening was all about the animals — and celebrating the organization’s excellence in protecting species and helping them thrive. Many revelers sported their best animal-print looks while sipping cocktails, visiting with friends and enjoying the sounds of Bobby Frank’s handpan, which created a rhythmic tropical soundscape. Alexander Hamilton peeked his adorable face out of the bushes, captivating guests, and many brave animal lovers stood inches away from Sasha during her highly supervised meet-and-greet.
As the sun set, the evening grew brisk, and guests retreated inside a warm, cozy tent on the Jungle Terrace. Nashville Zoo president and CEO Rick Schwartz highlighted the zoo’s growing conservation program. “We’re getting ready to work on the largest project in our kitchen,” he said, referring to the Nashville Zoo’s upcoming orangutan exhibit, which will be the largest in the country.
Rick then introduced his wife, Heather (“the most beautiful veterinarian in the world”), who talked about species survival plans (SSPs). Nashville Zoo has over 50 SSPs in its repertoire, ranging from programs for small reptiles and amphibians to ones protecting larger key species, like Amur leopards. “It takes a village to manage these species within zoos and ensure them for the best future we can have,” Heather said.
She also made an exciting announcement: There are only 67 clouded leopards in the world, and the Nashville Zoo is proudly home to 18 of them. Rapturous applause filled the tent — a fitting sound of celebration for the organization’s triumphant achievements in conservation and animal welfare.
BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Join us as we celebrate up-and-coming Nashville philanthropists with our Fresh Faces of Philanthropy reception!
JUNE 10
5:30 TO 8:00 PM NELSON’S GREEN BRIER DISTILLERY
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
THAT’S THE CAPTION typed on the back of this sylvan summer scene, which likely ran in the Nashville Banner almost a century ago.
But which camp? Who’s canoeing? We have a lot of questions. Who knows this camp? Who knows these paddlers?
BY CARRINGTON FOX
If you know these happy campers — or have historic photos of your own to share — contributing historian Carrington Fox wants to hear from you (editor@nfocusmagazine.com).
Exclusively at