FROM CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

At Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee’s Annual Awareness Breakfast, One Nashville CEO Shares His Story of the Power of Opportunity

📸 Photos by Elizabeth Ratliff

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 21, 2026 – Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee (JAMT) welcomed business, education and civic leaders to champion economic mobility through education during its annual Awareness Breakfast at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Aug. 20. 

The event featured a keynote conversation between JAMT President Todd Counter and Kevin Blair, President & CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners. Blair shared his own Junior Achievement story, tracing his career back to an essay contest he entered as a high school senior, and together they explored the importance of championing economic mobility for students in Middle Tennessee. 

Wells Fargo Bank was this year's title sponsor, and Jackson Financial Inc. (Jackson®) was the presenting sponsor. 

“Wells Fargo is honored to stand alongside Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee as a sponsor of the Awareness Breakfast, helping create opportunities for the next generation to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Ruby E. Fenton, Senior Community Impact & Sustainability Specialist at Wells Fargo. 

The breakfast raised more than $80,000 to support JAMT's mission at a pivotal moment, as the organization expands its service area from 23 counties to 37. 

That growth is what makes the support generated at the breakfast so meaningful. “Our focus is on opportunity," said Counter. “As we expand, we're creating confident, capable, connected students who can see a secure financial future, who have a strong sense of economic mobility, and who are inspired by the experiential, hands-on learning that JA provides.” 

“Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee has been a significant nonprofit partner for more than 15 years,” said Niya Moon, Manager of Corporate Philanthropy at Jackson. “We are pleased to support the organization's programs, which expose young people to sound financial principles and career paths that can help build their long-term financial well-being.” 

Additional sponsors this year were Citizens Bank, Vaco by Highspring, the Nashville Predators and Towne Park. 

JAMT's mission is to accelerate economic mobility for students in Middle Tennessee, instilling confidence by providing them access, connections, and community to support their financial futures. By delivering integrated education solutions that combine academic instruction, real-world application, and community collaboration, JAMT continues to make a profound difference in the lives of young people across the region.