The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce announces the incoming Leadership Chattanooga and Protégé Chattanooga classes of 2026–2027, welcoming a new generation of professionals dedicated to strengthening the Chattanooga region through leadership, service and civic engagement. 

Officials said, "Together, the Chamber's flagship leadership development programs equip emerging and established professionals with the relationships, knowledge and experiences needed to lead within their organizations and make a lasting impact throughout the Chattanooga region. 

"Established in 1984, Leadership Chattanooga is the region’s premier leadership development and civic engagement program.

The 10-month program prepares emerging and established leaders for greater service by providing experiential learning opportunities, community service projects and access to Chattanooga’s top leaders. 

"Participants are selected through a competitive application process based on demonstrated leadership potential, civic engagement, community involvement and their ability to contribute diverse experiences and perspectives representative of the greater Chattanooga region." 

The Chamber also welcomes the newest class of Protégé Chattanooga, the Young 
Professionals of Chattanooga's premier mentoring and leadership development program 
for professionals ages 21 to 40. 

"Through an immersive, nine-month experience, protégés meet with accomplished business and community leaders, build meaningful relationships with their peers and mentors and gain valuable insight into leadership, career development and civic engagement," officials said. 

Limited to 24 participants each year, Protégé Chattanooga selects emerging leaders through a competitive nomination and application process. 

Officials said, "Participants are chosen based on their leadership potential, commitment to community service, collaborative spirit and desire to grow personally and professionally. 

"Together, Leadership Chattanooga and Protégé Chattanooga create a continuum of leadership development by connecting participants with experienced leaders, exposing them to the issues shaping the region and fostering lifelong personal and professional relationships that strengthen the Chattanooga community."

The Leadership Chattanooga Class of 2026–2027 will begin in August with orientation and a class retreat before continuing with monthly sessions until April 2027. Protégé Chattanooga will also launch in late August and meet twice monthly through April 2027. 

The Leadership Chattanooga and Protégé Chattanooga classes will conclude with graduations in May 2027. 

Leadership Chattanooga Class of 2026–2027: 
Erin Harrell (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) 
Summer Elliott (Morehouse School of Medicine at CommonSpirit Memorial) 
Amy Buckley (Kenco Management Services) 
Mary Corson (Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center) 
Cassie Davis (Hamilton County Schools) 
Kaitlin Cook (University of Tennessee) 
Lea Anne Wiles (Community Volunteer) 
Crystal Echols (United States Probation Eastern District of Tennessee) 
Alayna Smith (Beautiful Game Inc DBA Chattanooga Football Club) 
Courtney Cousin (Ford Credit) 
Carlos Hampton (City of Chattanooga – Chattanooga Fire Department) 
Shelby Glover (City of Chattanooga) 
Cassie Sparks (Oak Commercial Financing) 
Blake Kinder (HHM CPAs) 
Ellen Puffer (Chattanooga Tourism Co.) 
Annea Robinson (City of Chattanooga) 
Jeffrey Gallaher (Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union) 
Shaquana Kennedy (United States Probation Officer) 
Michael Johnson (Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.) 
Dorcas Awotula (Orange Grove Center) 
Sophie Moore (EPB) 
Madison Ralston (CommonSpirit Memorial) 
Kara Cotto (Prospera Strategies) 
Raquetta Dotley (Net Resource Foundation) 
Selah Melvin (Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise) 
Michael Floyd (Tennessee Aquarium) 
Andrew Crockett (City of Chattanooga Mayor’s Office) 
Hunter Torres (Chattanooga FC Foundation) 
Sheryl Jenkins (EPB) 
Shauna Wooten (Cempa Community Care) 
Marcherie Savage (Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce) 
Kristin Pope (The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) 
Kayleigh Heaton (Tennessee Valley Authority) 
Chandra Freeman (City of Chattanooga) 
Taylor Hixson (Chattanooga Room in the Inn) 
Molly Marcum (Rise Partners) 
Summer Simmons (Signal Centers) 
Becca Love (SEED Chattanooga) 
Brian Wright (Finley Stadium, First Horizon Pavilion) 
Elizabeth Austin (Tivoli Theatre Foundation) 
Rachell Bilbrey (Studio Bank) 
Cheri Hudgins (Rose of Sharon’s Senior Villa) 
Angela Belonzi (LAUNCH Chattanooga) 
Allen Bible (Siskin Children’s Institute) 
Tiffany Coleman (Unum Group) 

Protégé Chattanooga Class of 2026–2027: 
Kendall Davis (Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce) 
Chesley Morehead (Northside Neighborhood House) 
David Byrd (University of Tennessee Space Institute) 
Estephanie Acheson (Ronald McDonald House of Greater Chattanooga) 
Sarina Alvis (Chattanooga Head Start) 
Traveon Coleman (City of Chattanooga) 
Rachel Lesler (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) 
John Dickinson (Unum) 
Emma Johnson (United Way of Greater Chattanooga) 
Caroline Coppock (Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C.) 
Sarah Burdick (Unum Group) 
J’darius Cameron (Chattanooga 2.0) 
Derquazia Smartt (City of Chattanooga) 
Elle Marler (The Enterprise Center) 
Annie Duran (La Paz Chattanooga) 
Olivia Young (HHM CPAs) 
Graham Hartness (CSDG) 
Cherita Rice (Chattanooga Area Food Bank) 
Anna Hobbs (Chattanooga Airport) 
Dhonielle Toussaint (Henderson & Gardner PLLC) 
Blaise Zeitler (Mountain Valley Bank) 
Raphael Santos (Derthick, Henley and Wilkerson) 
Molly-Anne Hunter (Chattanooga Marriott Downtown) 
Samantha Wright (Friends of the Festival)