Board of Regents Vice Chair Emily J. Reynolds recognized in YWCA Academy for Women of Achievement

YWCA Co-Chair Kendra Deas, AWA Honoree Emily J. Reynolds, YWCA CEO Sharon Roberson

Emily J. Reynolds, a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents since 2010 and its vice chair since 2013, is one of seven women honored by YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee in its 32nd Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) celebration. 

The Oct. 24 event at Music City Center “recognized seven extraordinary women and one organization for their commitment to empowering women and improving Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” YWCA said in its press release.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate these outstanding leaders, whose legacies of excellence have made a lasting mark on Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” said YWCA President and CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “The Academy for Women of Achievement honors women who are passionate about achieving real change in our community. These strong women embody the spirit of the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women even further.”

Regent Reynolds has an extensive career in public service, policy and government. She was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Regents in September 2010 by Governor Phil Bredesen, reappointed to serve a second term in 2016 by Governor Bill Haslam and a third term in 2021 by Governor Bill Lee. The Board elected her its vice chair in 2013 and re-elected her annually – the longest serving vice chair in its 52-year history. The vice chair serves as  presiding officer when the governor, the Board chair, is not present.

Regent Reynolds has previously served as secretary of the United States Senate where she managed the Senate’s legislative, financial and administrative operations.  A native of Nashville, she is a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.  

In addition to Regent Reynolds, the 2024 AWA Individual honorees are: 

  • Ivanetta Davis Samuels – Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Meharry Medical College 
  • Michele Johnson – Executive Director and Co-Founder, Tennessee Justice Center 
  • Rita Johnson-Mills – Independent Director and Regional President, CINQCARE 
  • Sylvia Rapoport – Founding President of Centennial Park Conservancy, District Attorney’s Office Conviction Review Unit  
  • Amanda Weeks-Geveden – Senior Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President, 1834, a division of Old National Bank 
  • Evette White – CEO/Executive Director, Leadership Nashville 
YWCA 32nd AWA Honorees and Past Honorees

The 2024 AWA Corporate honoree is Ingram Industries.

Since its inception in 1992, the AWA has honored 198 women and 35 organizations for their exceptional contributions. This year’s theme, “It All Starts With a Seed,” emphasized the YWCA’s belief in the power of ideas to inspire transformative change, a principle that has been at the heart of the Academy for over three decades.  Major sponsors for the event included Presenting Sponsor Amazon, Dollar General, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Mary Wester Foundation, FirstBank, GSRM Law and 1834, A Division of Old National Bank. 

 

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About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee: 
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For more than 125 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Dress for Success, Family Learning Center, and Social Justice and Advocacy.

To learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of women and families, visit ywcanashville.com

The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.