As a dynamic and committed professional, Sonya Hairston excels in the field of corporate structure, growth and expansion, and marketing encompassing both conventional and digital strategies. Her expertise lies in team development, problem-solving, and the formulation of strategic initiatives. With a proven track record of goal attainment and delivering exceptional customer service, her proficiency extends to various areas such as team building, conflict resolution, data-informed decision-making, public speaking, relationship cultivation, coaching, project management, and organizational leadership. Additionally, her networking skills enable effective engagement with diverse stakeholders. Striving to effect positive change, she is dedicated to establishing successful programs and ventures from inception. Possessing a comprehensive understanding of employee requirements, adept budgeting skills, and a background in strategic planning and change management, she is a collaborative and purpose-driven leader accustomed to operating within dynamic environments with tangible outcomes. Hairston's general management background includes reorganizing and integrating new operations; team building; budget creation and management; establishing strategic alliances and joint ventures; while in every situation improving productivity, revenue growth and profitability. As a turnaround specialist, she successfully focused on small to mid-sized organizations. She has also been President and CEO of her own companies, Classic Affairs, Inc. and Noteably Nashville, LLC and has worked in the film, television, and music industries. Sonya Hairston has a wealth of experience working with both nonprofit and for-profit companies. She is an executive with demonstrated success in financial management, organizational leadership, staff and board development, production, sales, marketing, strategic planning, and negotiation. She was a financial advisor at Smith Barney, successfully navigating the market challenges of 2008. As a growth and expansion expert, her background includes reorganizing and integrating new operations, team building, budget creation and management. Sonya is skilled at building high-impact approaches and teams, identifying pivot points, managing numerous priorities simultaneously, creating innovative outcomes, and establishing strategic alliances and joint ventures. Hairston is very active in her local community serving on the boards and committees of several organizations, including the Charlottesville Ballet; IX Art Park; WIFT (Women in Film & TV) Nashville; the Hemerdinger Foundation; the Frist Art Museum; Governor’s Books from Birth; Williamson County Child Advocacy Center, Legacy Ball; Junior League of Nashville Strategic Planning Committee, Chair Diversity Awareness, Sustainer Rep - DEI Committee; Celebration of Women; and the Ronald McDonald House. Additionally, she participated in the early conversations with the late Francis Guess and the late T.B. Boyd III around the development and creation of the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. Hairston also holds membership with several civic groups, including the Charlottesville Chapter of The Links, Inc; the Senet Society of the United Way, Nashville Downtown Rotary Club, Young Leaders, and Andrea Walks. Demonstrating a passion for DEI and women’s issues, Sonya served as one of the founding leaders of All About Women, an annual two-day event designed to connect women to life services and education regarding health issues, in Middle Tennessee. Hairston served as a facilitator for community discussions on racism, equity, and transit in the Metro Nashville community. Sonya’s passion for youth and social justice issues drives her volunteer work with the GAP Youth Training Services, Junior Achievement, and the youth ministry at her church. Hairston has served as a mentor for inner city teen girls and given time to several youth-related organizations in both volunteer and fundraising capacities. Sonya attended the University of Virginia graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education with a History, English, and Government concentration. She also has an MBA from the University of Phoenix with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership and Global Marketing. Additionally, she holds certificates in Advanced Mediation, and Tools for Managing Crisis, Change and Conflict from Lipscomb University/Pepperdine School of Law; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida.