Amazon Hosts Annual AWA Honoree Party at Nashville Yards Headquarters

YWCA Women of Achievement honorees from the past 25 years welcomed the 2025 AWA class at a reception hosted by Amazon.

(NASHVILLE, TENN – Sept. 12, 2025) – On Wednesday, Sept. 3, nearly two dozen past Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) honorees and several members of the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee Board of Directors gathered at the Amazon Corporate Headquarters in Nashville Yards for the annual AWA Honoree Party. This special evening offered a chance for past honorees, spanning more than a quarter century, to reconnect, reminisce, and extend a warm welcome to the 2025 class of honorees.

This year’s class includes five inspiring leaders – Missy Eason, Community Advocate, Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Courtney Ross, Senior Manager, External Affairs, Amazon, Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director, Vanderbilt University, Cynthia Whitfield-Story, Retired Corporate Executive and CEO, INSPIRE1, LLC Coaching and Consulting Firm – as well as organizational honoree Belmont University. Together, they represent excellence in education, business, philanthropy, and civic leadership, embodying the values of YWCA and the AWA tradition.

Guests enjoyed sweeping views of the city from AWA Party host Amazon’s downtown headquarters, along with delicious food and lively conversation. A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the 2025 theme, Women Who Shape Us, created by longtime YWCA partner, FINN Partners.

As always, the Honoree Party was both a celebration and a preview of the main event – the 33rd Academy for Women of Achievement celebration, which will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Nashville Renaissance Hotel. The evening will recognize the honorees’ extraordinary contributions while also raising critical funds to support YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Tickets and tables are available now online at www.ywcanashville.com/awa2025 .

For over 125 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls, and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc. at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, AMEND Together, Dress for Success Nashville, Family Learning Center & Career Services, and Social Justice & Advocacy. For more information, visit https://ywcanashville.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ywcanashville.

We are grateful to YWCA Junior Board Committee Member Libby Adkins for the beautiful photos of the AWA Honoree Party.

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