2020 Leadership Connect Class hears from COO of Alliance Bernstein and discusses affordability

In May, the 2020 Leadership Connect Class continued virtual discussions with local CEO’s and community experts - hearing from Jim Gingrich, Chief Operating Officer at AllianceBernstein - as well as participating in a panel discussion with local leaders regarding affordability in the Nashville region.

One of the first AllianceBernstein executives to move from New York to Nashville, Gingrich is responsible for leading the company's move to its new headquarters in downtown Nashville.

Jim showed his strength as a business leader, emphasizing the importance of team connectivity as people continue to work remotely. He acknowledged an obstacle many businesses continue to face while working remotely, as it relates to teams feeling less connected and engaged. Although Jim is a self-proclaimed introvert, he admitted to missing the interaction and engagement he had with staff while in the office. “I miss going to Sounds games with the team and the opportunities we created to maintain bonded and connected as a whole,” says Gingrich.

However, Gingrich said AllianceBernstein has found ways to stay connected from afar. The organization has created virtual town halls, chat rooms and continues to emphasize the importance of mental health by offering virtual yoga and wellness classes.

Nonetheless, the conversation of when and how AllianceBernstein will reopen their offices is always top of mind. Their main priority at AllianceBernstein is to maintain the safety and health of employees. Gingrich knows this means establishing strict policies in regard to rotating a limited number of staff in the office and temporarily closing communal spaces in their building. Gingrich ended the conversation highlighting the importance of staying positive yet prepared for the future. He is certain Nashville will bounce back from this stronger than ever and is looking forward to reuniting with his staff in their office in the future.

Also in May, the 2020 Leadership Connect Class took part in a panel discussion focused on affordability in the Nashville region. This panel included the following community leaders:

The panelists illustrated many different types of affordability that can be an issue for community members – from food insecurity, healthcare disparity, homeownership, small business, and affordable housing. Many of the panelists illustrated the importance of collaborating with one another to offer community members the most efficient services and resources. Nancy Keil of Second Harvest Food Bank said, “I truly believe that we can all find ways to come together and collaborate on these issues and think very differently outside of our silos….that can make a significant difference.”

However, the panelists understood that the topic of affordability is complex. “The more you dive into an issue like affordability the more questions it brings out,” said Kevin Clavin of Urban Housing Solutions. The panelists acknowledged that the recent tornadoes and COVID-19 have exacerbated the burdens for many community members and noted they all are working hard to assist citizens as they navigate these issues.

The business community was invited to play a crucial role in finding affordability solutions. It’s important to create a neighborhood that your employees want to not only work in but also live in. “If the workforce wants to live in the city in which you're operating and also enjoy the surrounding businesses that operate in that area, it makes our economy and city stronger,” said Calvin. The business community can be a great convener to help nonprofit organizations collaborate to become stronger and offer more accessible services for the community.

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