Five alumni named 2026 NELAS finalists, Steven Henry wins government & public aaffairs category
Five Belmont alumni were named finalists for the 2026 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELAS) which annually recognize Middle Tennessee professionals, ages 21-40, who demonstrate professional excellence and make meaningful contributions to the community across a range of industries.
Among this year’s honorees, alumnus Steven Henry (political science, ‘18) won the Government & Public Affairs category.
“Belmont does such a great job of connecting students with real-world opportunities and preparing them with the skills, confidence and potential needed to really make an impact in the world,” Henry shared.
Henry serves as the principal and director of business operations at Jigsaw, a strategic consulting firm focused on communications consulting, grassroots campaigns, crisis management and government relations.
“It is such an honor to even be included among such an impressive group of young professionals shaping the future of Middle Tennessee,” Henry said. “Receiving this award is a nice acknowledgement that the work we do at Jigsaw really matters and that we are helping shape the business landscape here in Nashville.”
Additional Industry Categories with Alumni Finalists
The NELAS announce up to five finalists and one winner from various industry categories each year. Selection as a finalist is a significant achievement, and Belmont alumni were well represented across several categories for the 2026 NELAS:
Technology
- Ray Holloman (information systems management, ’12), F5 / Holloman Solutions
Business, Real Estate & HR
- Danielle Pyle (music business, ’11), Fraction Force Strategies
Medical, Healthcare & Wellness
- Anjali Mukherji Doria (entertainment industry studies, ’19; M.Ed. ’21), Dava Foundation
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
- Abby Janis (media & entertainment management, ’18), HCA Healthcare
Supporting Emerging Leaders
Belmont’s Jack C. Massey College of Business partnered with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and Nashville YP as the presenting sponsor of this year’s event, held July 9 at Marathon Music Works.
In a press release announcing the 2026 finalists, Dr. Randy Bradley, dean of the Massey College of Business, highlighted the impact emerging leaders have on the region’s continued growth.
“Our young professionals are driving the community forward with outstanding vision, work ethic and dedication,” Bradley said. “Young professionals are the heartbeat of our regional economy and seeing them recognized fills me with pride and optimism for our collective future.”
The NELAS recognize the professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders behind the region’s tremendous opportunity and growth.
“We believe in what Middle Tennessee is growing, and we believe that what we do here becomes the epicenter of what happens across the state,” Bradley said.
Discover more from the Jack C. Massey College of Business.