The work at the Tennessee Pride Chamber is made possible thanks to our volunteer board of directors who bring resources, connections, and expertise that drive the organization. Every year, we ask the entire membership and community to nominate people to serve on the board. This year, we had a record number of candidates apply.
Our nominations committee is made up of six board members who are not up for re-election and our Executive Director. The nominations committee reviewed every application and set up interviews with two different committee members for each of the top-scoring candidates. After the interviews, the nominations committee reached a consensus and made a recommendation to the board for the 2024 slate. That recommendation was put to a vote by the full board, which they approved. With the overwhelming interest of exceptionally qualified candidates, we are expanding our board to the maximum number allowed in our bylaws.
Now, the membership will vote on the full board slate at our Annual Meeting/Brewing Up Business event on Monday, December 18. Here is the board-approved slate of candidates for the membership to affirm at our Annual Meeting:
David Andrews
David Andrews was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended Franklin Road Academy and graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. After college, David joined his family’s business, McClures, a 30,000-square-foot specialty store in the heart of Belle Meade. It was there that David first gained knowledge of owning and running a small business.
In 2003, David chased a lifelong dream of moving to New York City and attending the Institute of Culinary Education. He took pastry arts classes in the morning while working at the Barneys department store at night. David became an intern at the three-star Manhattan restaurant, Gotham Bar & Grill, and was offered a job as a pastry cook when he graduated from ICE.
David spent three and a half years in the Gotham kitchen – one of the most intense, fantastically- creative, learning environments. David worked every shift where he excelled and accelerated his pastry experience. He felt Gotham was the best education any pastry cook could ever ask for in New York City.
After Gotham, David began working at Merkato 55 in the Meatpacking District, where he shaped the pastry program influenced by African-inspired desserts. He later joined a friend in opening Xie Xie, a new quick-serve, Chinese/Vietnamese-inspired restaurant. David’s dessert, the 1000 year old ice cream sandwich, was named one of the best desserts of the year (2009) by both Time Out New York and New York Magazine.
David joined the Kimberly Hotel as the Executive Pastry Chef in the Fall of 2010. By the following spring, David was elevated to Executive Chef of the Hotel where he remained for the next six years.
In the fall of 2016, David moved home to achieve his lifelong dream of opening a bakery in his hometown of Nashville. In the summer of 2018, David opened his eponymous restaurant, D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe in the heart of downtown on Church Street.
In 2021, the Bakery was awarded the Small Business Diversity award from the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, David was awarded Small Business Person of the Year. David currently serves on the board of Nashville CARES.
David lives downtown with his husband Matt & his Frenchie Daisy.
Margaret Eggers
Margaret Eggers, CPA, is the Controller at the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), a landmark organization created to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers and administrators receive their digital audio mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time.
In her role, Margaret ensures the accuracy, efficiency and timeliness of the accounting and reporting requirements of The MLC. With nearly 10 years of experience in the field of finance, Margaret’s experience and innovation have helped The MLC pay out over $1.5 billion in mechanical royalties to rightsholders since beginning operations in 2021.
Margaret’s growth in financial accounting, technical accounting and financial activities for The MLC has established her as an industry leader, regularly collaborating with digital service providers, like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, as well as external auditors, suppliers, bankers and other industry members.
Prior to The MLC, Margaret held a six-plus year tenure at EY, a prominent global accounting and consulting firm, where she excelled in the role of Assurance Manager. During Margaret’s employment at EY, she led teams in financial statement audits for publicly traded and privately held clients, primarily within the healthcare and entertainment industries. In addition to her assurance work, Margaret planned many Diversity & Inclusiveness Networks events connecting the EY Nashville office within the community and was also the EY Nashville LGBTQ+ Unity Lead. Margaret was awarded the EY “Culture Coin” by EY Partners which is described as “someone who demonstrates integrity, respect, and teaming; Has energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead; Builds relationships based on doing the right thing.”
In her spare time, Margaret is a dedicated advocate who devotes her time to various community services and organizations. A passionate supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Eggers openly identifies as queer and plays an integral role in Nashville’s PRIDE festival. Her commitment extends to being a vocal champion for marginalized communities and a promoter of equality, not only within Nashville but also on a broader scale. She has actively participated in fundraising efforts for the American Heart Association, notably contributing to events like the Middle Tennessee Heart Gala since 2018. Additionally, she has demonstrated her commitment to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, successfully spearheading the organization of an MLC team for the 2023 Light the Night event. Beyond this, Margaret proudly holds memberships in organizations such as HRC and the Tennessee Pride Chamber, among others.
Margaret’s contributions to the Mechanical Licensing Collective and her profound impact on the music industry and Nashville community exemplify her dedication and expertise. Margaret lives in Nashville with her fiancé, Lindsey, and their two rescue dogs, Nora Brooke and Parish Amanda.
Anthony Green
Anthony Green, a graduate of Arizona State University with honors, began his music career as Live Entertainment Director and Concert Coordinator for the Programming and Activities Board, overseeing all aspects of the University’s entertainment programming. His accomplishments include producing the first ever “sold out” Devilpalooza Concert with Rae Sremmurd and the grand opening of the University Student Pavilion with performances by Michael Che and Colin Jost.
While in college, Green forged his own path in the live music space, acquiring several entertainment business internships which included CAA, Steve Levine Entertainment and R Entertainment. He then became the Talent Buyer for Maya Day & Night Club in Scottsdale, overseeing the booking and marketing of shows, featuring Gryffin, Alesso, Steve Angello, R3hab and others.
Green began his career at WME in 2019 and currently serves as an Agent Trainee in the Fair and Festival Department. He assists in the booking of Artists from areas of rock, adult contemporary, urban, Latin, Christian, comedy and country to some of the largest fairs and festivals in the United States. He also participates in the day-to-day activities of artists such as Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, Diamond Rio and more.
Green serves on Endeavor’s PROUD board, the company’s ERG focusing on internal and external pride-related programming and initiatives. He also handles bookings for many Pride Festivals for the agency.
Beyond the office, Green’s alter ego, DJ Griffin Green, holds three club residencies in Nashville TN and Louisville KY. He also performs for several major entities, including Nashville Pride, Kentuckiana Pride, and the Nashville Predators. Griffin Green has also had the opportunity to support several major artists while performing – including Post Malone, Galantis, Todrick Hall, and many more.
Selena Haynes
Selena Haynes is co-founder and CEO of S&L Companies, the parent company to S&L Solutions, Waggin’ Tails and Connect Media Group (CMG), a community-driven, women and LGBTQ-owned brand. CMG publishes a bi-monthly digital magazine focusing on the Middle Tennessee LGBTQ+ community.
Haynes has been a leader in the LGBTQ+ community for several years. She has won the Civic Advocacy Award from the MTSU LGBT+ College Conference and the Small Business Diversity Award from the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business awards.
She is a committee member for the Tennessee Pride Chamber and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) LGBT+ College Conference serving as the advisory chair in 2022. She also serves on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council for MTSU and on the Boro Pride Planning Committee.
Haynes has an MBA, BA in Communication and AA in Music. Her passions include animals, traveling and music.
Haynes has been married to Lauren Means for 10 years and together for 17 years. They reside in Murfreesboro and have three fur babies, Franklin Allen, Daisy Mae, and Bella Bell.
Donnie Iorio
Donnie Iorio (he/him) is a nine-year Amazonian and currently serves as a Regional Director in the company’s last-mile delivery organization. Since moving to the Music City in 2020, he has served on the Executive Board for Glamazon Nashville, the company’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group. Currently serving as the Executive Sponsor, Donnie has seen the board scale as the company’s presence in Nashville has grown ten-fold. While his career at Amazon has largely been operations-focused, he has also had roles in Learning, Quality, and Program Management. Over the past five years, he has been a senior strategic leader in creating America’s largest delivery business. While Donnie’s LinkedIn profile would define him as a Logistics Professional, his true passion is being a people leader who has the honor of building and developing teams and individuals.
Donnie and his fiancé, Juan, reside in East Nashville with their two fur babies, Wilmy and Koda. Travel is a passion for both of them, and they’re currently planning their honeymoon to Japan!
In his own words: “I’m thrilled to have been recommended by the nominating committee for this role with the Tennessee Pride Chamber! As a gay man and as a senior business leader, I understand some of the challenges that impact both the LGBTQIA+ community and the business world at large. I challenge the status quo – even when it causes discomfort. As a member of the board, I will take the time to understand challenges & issues from multiple perspectives while continuing to relentlessly fight for “what’s right” – even if that outcome may require navigating through difficult conversations and pushing for systemic change.
As a member of the board, I would like to see the participation and collective responsibility of our large corporate members grow as Tennessee continues to see rapid growth with commerce moving to the state. Corporations have a responsibility to the communities that they serve and the TN Pride Chamber is in a position to foster collaboration.”
Dr. Bryson McGuire
Dr. Bryson McGuire is a testament to the transformative power of education as a dedicated First-Generation College Student. His academic journey commenced with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History, to a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. He reached a crescendo after obtaining a doctorate in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change.
Beyond academia, McGuire’s commitment to education transcends traditional boundaries. Starting as a Social Studies Teacher at Danville High School, he was the lone Black core content teacher in the district. Simultaneously, he served as an Adjunct Professor at Campbellsville University. In the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Dr. McGuire, an 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, assumed various leadership roles, emphasizing his dedication to student and educator success.
In 2020, Dr. McGuire transitioned to School Leadership and Administration, currently serving as a Middle School Administrator and Instructional Leader in Nashville, TN. His mantra, “No one can be you like you can be you,” resonates in the learning community, emphasizing the intrinsic value of individuality.
Dr. McGuire excels in building trust, providing stability, and nurturing hope among stakeholders. His influence extends beyond school walls; he has consulted schools and trained educators nationally.
Recognized for his achievements, Dr. McGuire received accolades like the 2022 Nashville Black Top Forty Under 40 and the Bridging the Gap Award from the University of Louisville. His commitment to improvement is unwavering, viewing challenges as opportunities to strengthen education’s foundation and ensure collective success.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. McGuire is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Engaging frequently in community service with the fraternity, he extends his impact beyond education. Moreover, Dr. McGuire actively supports Nashville through community service and participates in social justice and advocacy endeavors, embodying the principles of inclusivity and diversity.
In his quest for growth and inclusivity, Dr. McGuire continues to profoundly impact education, leaving an indelible mark of empowerment wherever he goes. His journey, as a published author, also testifies to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of community engagement, creating a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Miranda McDonald
“I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change…”. Through personal and professional pursuits, Miranda McDonald strives to personify these impactful words of Shirley Chisholm.
Miranda McDonald is the Director of Community Programs for the Tennessee Titans and the Titans Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Tennessee Titans organization. In her role, she oversees the programs and partnerships within the ONE Community platform – the Tennessee Titans’ multifaceted effort dedicated to impacting generational change across three key priorities: opportunity, neighborhoods, and education.
Before joining the Titans organization, Miranda served as the Director of Community Development at Calvert Street Group, Senior Specialist for Partnership Development for Save the Children Federation, Vice President of Metro Policy for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Policy Associate for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, DC; and in the DC Office of Former US Rep. Jim Cooper.
A native Nashvillian, Miranda is a proud double graduate of Tennessee State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Master of Public Administration degrees. She also attended Xavier University of Louisiana.
Miranda is a member of the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she serves as Chair of the International Trends and Services facet. In this capacity, Miranda spearheads committee programs and partnerships with local nonprofits serving refugee families. In 2023, Miranda was selected to represent the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter as their ATHENA Young Professional Nominee.
Previously, Miranda served as the Vice President of the Urban League Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee, the Social Justice and Advocacy Co-Chair for the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee Junior Board Committee, on the Associate Board for STARS Nashville and Play Like a Girl Young Professionals Network. A strong proponent of minority and women’s representation in the STEM fields, Miranda received the 2023 Play Like a Girl Honor award in commendation of her leadership on issues impacting women and girls.
When she is not planning her upcoming nuptials with her fiancé Jamari, Miranda enjoys Tennessee Titans football, women’s basketball, true crime, and music trivia.
Jenn Redican
Jennifer Redican – Experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senior Leader with over 20 years of global experience in operational business growth, leadership, mentorship, and project management. In 2015, Asurion relocated my family from Houston, Texas, to Murfreesboro. In addition to being a mother and wife, I am a student at Middle Tennessee State University and a small business owner. I recently re-enrolled at MTSU to study cultural competencies and intersectionality.
I am a humanist who drives for equity and change. My strong work ethic, epistemic curiosity, and passion have allowed me opportunities in spaces where I can make a difference. My volunteer efforts include running a mission team in Texas focused on inner-city underrepresented youth, Girl Scouts, and signing up on small assignments for places locally like food banks or non-profits that support the community.
My diverse professional background includes experience in leadership development, content creation, facilitation, reviewing and revising policies to promote inclusion for employees, leading and supporting employee resource groups, event planning, diversifying hiring and recruiting, and leading teams of over 1,000 employees worldwide. Over the past six months, I have focused on promoting a more inclusive workplace through education and partnerships. As a result of my efforts, we achieved a perfect score of 100 on the HRC CEI assessment and created a productive, positive, and inclusive work environment. I am humble and work from behind, and I love for teams and individuals I am mentoring to be recognized before myself. I have received awards at work for community leadership, team player, innovative thinking, and cost savings.
In 2023, I returned to college with a personal goal to work in the community and positively impact Nashville. Meeting inspiring people in the area has motivated me to act and contribute in any way I can. Local work is necessary, and I am committed to making a difference. I am thrilled for the chance to assist The Tennessee Pride Chamber in its expansion efforts over the next few years.
Quentin Salas
I am thrilled to serve as a dedicated board member, bringing a blend of professional expertise and a passion for inclusivity to the table.
After 12 years in the retail industry, in 2020 I made a shift into the dental & orthodontics space. In my professional work experience, I have cultivated a reputation for championing diversity and fostering inclusive environments. My journey has equipped me with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of orthodontics and corporate work environments while staying true to my commitment to equality.
I am excited about the vision of the Tennessee Pride Chamber and the impactful work it does to empower LGBTQ+ businesses. As a board member, I am committed to advancing the chamber’s mission of advancing common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBTQ+ members, businesses, and allies by providing educational, networking, and community-building opportunities.
Serving on the board is not just a responsibility for me; it’s a personal commitment to making a difference. I understand the significance of representation and the transformative power of inclusive spaces. My goal is to contribute to an environment where every LGBTQ+ individual can confidently pursue their professional aspirations.
I currently work full-time (remotely) for an organization called Orthodontic Partners, based in Grand Rapids, MI. I am the Senior Project Manager of Transitions – my primary duty is to work with newly acquired practices to ensure successful assimilation into our organization. Outside of my employment and time with the Tennessee Pride Chamber, my husband Brandon and I recently married on 11/11/22. We reside just outside Nashville, in Hermitage, where we built our home in 2021. We have two dogs, Sven & Freya, who keep us busy and entertained. We are weekend travelers and spend a lot of time in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Together with my fellow board members, I am dedicated to ensuring that the Tennessee Pride Chamber remains a beacon of progress, support, and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ business community – both in Nashville and Tennessee as a whole.
Up for Re-Election
Annie Brinn
As Senior Vice President of Publishing Administration at Warner Music Group in Nashville, Annie Brinn is responsible for overseeing licensing, rights management, and royalties for Warner’s U.S. record labels. Since joining the company in 2017, Annie has restructured the organizational design of the Publishing division and curated a team of highly innovative, passionate, and talented individuals focused on seeking ways to work more efficiently and effectively on behalf of Warner’s labels and develop new opportunities related to the exchange of music data and rights management to ensure songwriters are properly compensated. Annie led her team in decreasing WMG’s U.S. Recorded Music Copyright Unmatched Royalties by 60% and has distributed more than $130M in royalties to songwriters and music publishers.
Annie drives change within and outside of WMG in both her capacity as SVP of Publishing Administration and as one of the company’s most visible cultural ambassadors. Annie’s work within the Nashville and wider TN LGBTQ+ communities transcends her day-to-day role. She has been the company’s TN Pride Chamber of Commerce delegate for more than four years and has served as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2022. Her experience in the Chamber led Annie to establish Warner’s first-ever LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group for Nashville-based employees, an integral step in advancing the corporate diversity and inclusion strategy and now chairs the company’s Pride ERG of Americas. In 2023, she became a founding member of WMG’s Global DEI Advisory Committee. Furthermore, Annie continues to give back to her community by serving as committee chair of the University School of Nashville’s Edgehill Society where she assists in fundraising efforts that draw support from alumni like herself. She also Co-Chairs the Nashville Committee of the Victory Fund, an organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ+ people at all levels of government. Annie became a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) in 2020, a nonprofit organization aimed to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live performance venues and promoters throughout the U.S. by supporting a transparent, competitive marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community of artists, fans, and industry workers. In 2023, she joined the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. Annie was a recipient of the 2022 Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards.
Annie is a Nashville native and holds a B.S. in Communications with an emphasis in Music Industry Studies and a Minor in Psychology from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She and her wife reside in East Nashville with their son, Ryman, whose namesake not only pays homage to the legendary Ryman Auditorium but also to its founder, Thomas Ryman, who was (and still is) revered as one of Nashville’s most prominent humanitarians and philanthropists.
Jason Wu
Jason is a Brand Manager at Mars Petcare in Franklin, TN. Jason is the chair and a founding member of the Mars Petcare NA LGBTQ+ ARG. Jason has held various leadership roles in Mars China, Beijing related to Human Resources, Marketing, and Sales before moving to the US in 2016. Jason also leads an international education consulting company focused on promoting higher education while building meaningful connections and opportunities between students, teaching staff and alumni from various top US universities.
Jason has been serving the TN PRIDE Chamber for the past two years, contributing to key initiatives including annual planning, BUB, member recruitment, facilitating joint activation between member organizations, as well as actively participating in Chamber or member-held events and activities.
Jason is motivated by and gains tremendous joy from his work, social interactions, family and home life and seeks to strengthen the sense of belonging for all minorities.
Jason is proud to be from China where he was born and raised. Jason graduated the Communication University of China, Beijing.
