Ronni Chandler, Executive Director of Project GRAD Knoxville, is the recipient of the Young Professionals of Knoxville Impact Award and served as the 2020 Keynote Speaker for the virtual event. “We are proud to award Ronni Chandler the 2020 YPK Impact Award, as she personifies serving by example and mentoring young professionals along the way,” said YPK President Britney Sink. “Through her years of service in the education sector, involvement in the community, and today as Executive Director of Project GRAD Knoxville, Ronni has contributed to the success of many, an accomplishment worthy of celebration.”

About Ronni Chandler

Ronni is an educator by calling and by choice. She came to Project GRAD Knoxville at startup in 2001 as program and operations director and was named Executive Director in 2014. She served 23 years in various admissions, student affairs, and administrative positions in public higher education at Pellissippi State prior to joining Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams).

A Knoxville native, educated in inner-city public schools, she is an Austin-East High School graduate who completed college degrees with honors as an adult student (Pellissippi State Community College, Tusculum University) and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations, at the University of Georgia Athens.

A long-time community and youth advocate and mentor of young professionals, Ronni is also a 2020 alum of the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute (CTLI) statewide program, Leadership Knoxville 2004, UTK Chancellor’s Associates 2003, and CAC Community Leadership 1996. She presently serves on the Pellissippi State Foundation Board of Trustees, Covenant Health System Board of Directors, Johnson University Greater Knoxville Advisory Board, TCAT Knoxville Regional Council and is a member of the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee Strong Women, Strong Futures Network, and the Executive Women Association Knoxville.

Licensed by the AME Zion denomination since 1999, Ronni serves on the ministry team of First AME Zion Church. She is a breast cancer survivor and Author of Light From A Candle: Hope for the Broken Believer in a Time of Devastation. Ronni is married to her high school sweetheart Timothy Chandler and is mother of two daughters: Dr. C. Nicole Chandler, Executive Director of the Change Center and Sparkle Chandler in heaven. She has one granddaughter, Nilah.

ABOUT THE IMPACT AWARD

The Impact Award is the highest honor awarded by Young Professionals of Knoxville. This award goes to one seasoned leader over the age of 40 who impacts young professionals in the Knoxville community. YPK’s mission is to inspire Knoxville’s young professionals to connect, develop and serve to build leaders and improve our community. The winner of this award embodies this mission in both their professional and personal life.