OCTOBER 3, 2024
Join the Knoxville Chamber at Bridgewater Place for a full day of programming tailored around the topics that the YP community designated as most relevant for their careers and their life in Knoxville. Check back often to view speakers as they are confirmed!
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Breakfast & networking
Doors will open at 7:45 AM.
Continental breakfast, coffee trucks, photo opportunities, networking activities, and more! Join us for a great day led by our guest emcee Tyrone Beach.
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Opening remarks
Hear a welcome from Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, presenting sponsor Bank of America, and host Knoxville Chamber.
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM: Keynote
Young Leaders Panel
This year’s keynote features a panel of young leaders from the Knoxville area. They will share advice on building a career, challenges they have faced, lessons they have learned, and the importance of doing it all in Knoxville:
- Bridgett McMahan, President, BESCO
“Bridgett McMahan is a natural born leader. She defines diligence and hard work.” Bridgett brings over 10 years of executive leadership experience, successfully driving strategic growth and operational excellence across diverse industries. In her most recent role as President of Broadway Electric Service Company LLC (BESCO), a rapidly growing electrical construction company specializing in commercial, healthcare, industrial, and automotive markets, and Engert, LLC, a mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing company, she has spearheaded significant growth across multiple segments. Her team-centric approach and focus on commercial excellence have cemented both BESCO and Engert’s reputation as reliable industry leaders. Bridgett has played a crucial role in driving profitable revenue growth across business units.
Bridgett moved to Knoxville in 2009 and began her legal career at the Legal Aid of East Tennessee Family Justice Center in 2012. She later worked as a legal assistant & law clerk for a law firm prior to joining BESCO in 2016. Bridgett started her career with BESCO as a Contract Administrator and in the first year was promoted to Director of Legal Affairs & Human Resources, overseeing the legal work, necessary compliance, and human resources departments, before acquiring the title of Vice President, overseeing BESCO’s marketing, legal, compliance, safety, and human resource departments.
In 2021, the former CEO of BESCO announced his intent to retire and with his support, while present in a Board of Director’s meeting, Bridgett proffered to take on this responsibility. Spear-heading a new leadership team and organizational structure, Bridgett was named President in May 2021 as the first female President of BESCO, and only the fifth President in BESCO’s 74-year history.
Bridgett is well known for her skill in solving complex, competitive challenges, and building high performance leadership teams. Her strong belief in creating exceptional customer experiences has consistently driven revenue growth throughout her career.
Bridgett has a political science degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. She is also an active member of Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel (TACC) and serves on both private for-profit and non-profit boards, including the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of East Tennessee (CASA). Additionally, she has been a Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) member since 2022 and was selected as one of the Knoxville’s 40 Under 40. “Bridgett’s dedication to not only BESCO, but her community is abundant in everything she does.”
Chrystal Armstrong Brown, Chief Impact Officer, United Way of Greater Knoxville
Chrystal Armstrong Brown brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofits, educational institutions and pastoral ministry, in positions and organizations across the country, to her current role as Chief Impact Officer with United Way of Greater Knoxville. Best described as a futurist, strategist, and catalyst, Chrystal is a nationally published author and speaker with a passion for empowering young professionals to walk confidently in purpose and lead community transformation. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, completing her BA in English – Rhetoric and Writing and Africana Studies, as well as the coursework towards her MA in English. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Leadership from Johnson University. Her favorite role is “mommy” to her amazing daughter, Keris.
- Nadim Jubran, CEO, PIER Group
Nadim Jubran is a partner in Capstone Concepts, LLC and the owner of PIER Group, LLC. His business involvement extends to multiple companies such as being a partner and member of the group that founded Capstone Concepts, LLC in 2012. Capstone Concepts, LLC is a Franchisee of First Watch – The Daytime Café and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. Nadim is also a partner of Landing Health and Performance, LLC and One Knoxville SC.
Nadim is community service oriented and has served on various boards and committees, such as:
The Knoxville Chamber – Vice Chair of the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Council, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee – Currently Serving as a Board Member
4 Market Square, INC and The Knoxville Fellows Program – Current Chair of the Board of Directors and an Alumni
United Way Board of Directors – Currently Serving
Alliance for Better Non-Profits – Board Member
100Knoxville – Steering Committee and Mentor for 1st Cohort
Connect Knox – Steering Committee
Lakeshore Park Conservancy – Fundraising Campaign Co-Chair
Leadership Knoxville – Alumni Class of 2022
Endeavor Summit – Steering CommitteeHe holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a focus on Entrepreneurship from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. With his wife Callie, he has three children (Mabry, Sam and George).
Isaac Pannell, Founder, Pannell Construction
Isaac, a proud native of Knoxville, TN, is dedicated to listening, learning, teaching, and trailblazing to create holistic impact in his community. After earning a degree in Missions and Global Economic Development from Harding University, he discovered his passion for serving underserved industries and individuals through entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, Isaac has successfully launched and co-owned more than 15 businesses across various sectors, all aimed at fostering sustainability and making a relational impact in the community.
In the construction industry, he leads a General Construction company and several trade-specific enterprises, working to enhance the local trades sector. As President of the Salt and Light Foundation, Isaac supports minority business owners in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship by providing access to community, capital, and coaching.
While he thrives on the challenges of entrepreneurship, Isaac’s true passion lies in building relationships with the talented individuals he meets along his journey.
Break & Giveaway
Take a quick break and get a chance to win one of $5,000 in giveaways from Adventure Sponsor Lifetime Products!
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Breakout sessions
Connecting & Communicating Across Generations
Dale Carnegie is the industry leader in professional training and development. This breakout session will help attendees understand generational differences, practice skills to engage, connect, & have meaningful conversations. and explore techniques to find common ground and deescalate tense situations.
Positioning Knoxville for The Imagination Age
Where will Knoxville be in 2030? This breakout session presented by Knoxville Chamber President and CEO Mike Odom will evaluate Knoxville’s current position in regard to average annual pay, demographics, automation impact, employment sector growth, and more. Further, the session will discuss what it takes for Knoxville to take advantage of the impending industrial revolution and how young professional talent is pivotal to success.
Loud Tables
An annual fan-favorite, loud tables give attendees the unique opportunity to connect with many different organizations in a speed-networking format. Attendees will have the option to choose three of the following loud table leaders and topics:
- Knoxville Living with Knox Foodie
- Knoxville Living with The Knoxville Adventure Collective
- Knoxville Living with local influencer Azsha White
- Community Involvement with Young Professionals of Knoxville
- Community Involvement with Nourish Knoxville
- Community Involvement with United Way of Greater Knoxville
- Community Involvement with tnAchieves
- Personal Finance with Bank of America
- Estate Planning with Kramer Rayson LLP
- Home Buying with Tennessee Housing Development Agency
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch & networking
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Breakout sessions
Connecting & Communicating Across Generations
Dale Carnegie is the industry leader in professional training and development. This breakout session will help attendees understand generational differences, practice skills to engage, connect, & have meaningful conversations. and explore techniques to find common ground and deescalate tense situations.
Positioning Knoxville for The Imagination Age
Where will Knoxville be in 2030? This breakout session presented by Knoxville Chamber President and CEO Mike Odom will evaluate Knoxville’s current position in regard to average annual pay, demographics, automation impact, employment sector growth, and more. Further, the session will discuss what it takes for Knoxville to take advantage of the impending industrial revolution and how young professional talent is pivotal to success.
Loud Tables
An annual fan-favorite, loud tables give attendees the unique opportunity to connect with many different organizations in a speed-networking format. Attendees will have the option to choose three of the following loud table leaders and topics:
- Knoxville Living with Knox Foodie
- Knoxville Living with The Knoxville Adventure Collective
- Knoxville Living with local influencer Azsha White
- Community Involvement with Young Professionals of Knoxville
- Community Involvement with Nourish Knoxville
- Community Involvement with United Way of Greater Knoxville
- Community Involvement with tnAchieves
- Personal Finance with Bank of America
- Estate Planning with Kramer Rayson LLP
- Home Buying with Tennessee Housing Development Agency
Break & Giveaway
Take a quick break and get a chance to win one of $5,000 in giveaways from Adventure Sponsor Lifetime Products!
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM: Breakout sessions
Connecting & Communicating Across Generations
Dale Carnegie is the industry leader in professional training and development. This breakout session will help attendees understand generational differences, practice skills to engage, connect, & have meaningful conversations. and explore techniques to find common ground and deescalate tense situations.
Positioning Knoxville for The Imagination Age
Where will Knoxville be in 2030? This breakout session presented by Knoxville Chamber President and CEO Mike Odom will evaluate Knoxville’s current position in regard to average annual pay, demographics, automation impact, employment sector growth, and more. Further, the session will discuss what it takes for Knoxville to take advantage of the impending industrial revolution and how young professional talent is pivotal to success.
Loud Tables
An annual fan-favorite, loud tables give attendees the unique opportunity to connect with many different organizations in a speed-networking format. Attendees will have the option to choose three of the following loud table leaders and topics:
- Knoxville Living with Knox Foodie
- Knoxville Living with The Knoxville Adventure Collective
- Knoxville Living with local influencer Azsha White
- Community Involvement with Young Professionals of Knoxville
- Community Involvement with Nourish Knoxville
- Community Involvement with United Way of Greater Knoxville
- Community Involvement with tnAchieves
- Personal Finance with Bank of America
- Estate Planning with Kramer Rayson LLP
- Home Buying with Tennessee Housing Development Agency
Break & Giveaway
Take a quick break and get a chance to win one of $5,000 in giveaways from Adventure Sponsor Lifetime Products!
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: grant giveaway & Closing Remarks
Each year, a portion of ticket proceeds is donated to a local nonprofit. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the nonprofits and vote for their favorite.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Happy hour
Unwind with a drink on us, enjoy a flavorful dessert, and connect with fellow YPs.