Marketing in 2026 looks nothing like it did five years ago — and the entrepreneurs who are winning know it. In partnership with AMA Nashville, we’re bringing four marketing experts together for a power-packed panel discussion on what’s working right now. From data-driven growth and AI-powered strategy to multicultural marketing and performance advertising, this conversation will give you a sharper edge in how you think about and execute marketing for your business.

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling fast, you’ll walk away with real insights you can actually use.

🎤 Panelists:

• Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM® — Principal & Chief Marketing Strategist, Crayons & Marketers
• Paula Milam — Founder & CEO, TruStar Marketing
• Wesley Williams — General Manager, Valpak Clipp
• Dave DeRosa — Sales Director, AI Digital

Meet the Panelists

Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM® Principal & Chief Marketing Strategist, Crayons & Marketers – Jacqueline founded Crayons & Marketers in 2013 to help businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies connect meaningfully with multicultural and multigenerational consumers. A certified Digital Marketing Professional and Professional Certified Marketer®, she currently serves as President of AMA Nashville and as a business mentor for the NEC’s Twende program. Her work has earned numerous recognitions, including the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award and the 2024 SBA Tennessee Women-Owned Small Business of the Year.

Paula Milam Founder & CEO, TruStar Marketing – Paula is a serial entrepreneur and performance marketer who helps companies achieve measurable growth through the fusion of branding and data analytics. Her work spans B2B and B2C companies across healthcare, insurance, financial services, and more — launching startups into national competitors and transforming established businesses into industry leaders. In a world shaped by AI and constant change, Paula helps organizations market with greater clarity, efficiency, and confidence.

Wesley Williams General Manager, Valpak Clipp – Wesley is a results-driven marketing leader with 20 years of experience leading high-performing, multi-market sales teams across Tennessee and Alabama. A 2025 Market of the Year award winner, he brings a proven track record of driving measurable growth through performance-focused print and digital strategies. Wesley delivers real-world insights on how brands can scale faster, compete smarter, and win in today’s landscape.

Dave DeRosa Sales Director, AI Digital – Dave partners with agencies and brands to drive demand and deliver high-impact results through data-driven advertising solutions. With a background rooted in account management and project strategy, he specializes in bridging the gap between creative execution and strategic growth — helping businesses across law, entertainment, insurance, and marketing scale in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Thank you to our Community Partner Comstasis and AMA Nashville for making this event possible. Special thanks to the EC’s Growth Partners: Baker Donelson, CLA, Pinewood Social, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and RJ Young, for their continued support of our founder community.

Parking: Available in the red brick garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on 15 Lea Avenue); We can validate your parking for up to 3 hours via a QR code at the front desk. (Please know your license plate number if you do not have an account set up with Metropolis parking)