2026 Legacy Ball Chairs
Mr. Don Hardin
Legacy Ball Chair
Donald R. Hardin, Jr. was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently and for more than 25 years, Don co-owns and manages DON HARDIN GROUP, a construction management firm based in Nashville with and serving Fortune 500 clientele across the country as well as serving community-based organizations.
After graduating from TSU with a degree in the school’s A.B.E.T accredited Architectural Engineering program, Don was recruited by several firms and accepted a position with the Fluor Corporation (Previously Fluor Daniel – Ranked by ENR as the largest Construction Manager when Don was hired). At Fluor, Don took advantage of the opportunities to manage various prime and sub-contractors as well as experience in the role as a structural designer on many projects.
Gail has established herself as a respected leader in the community sector, recognized for her ability to foster understanding of complex societal issues and implement sustainable solutions. She has served on many boards, including over twenty years with the Metropolitan Nashville Transit Authority Board of Directors, where she is currently Chair. She also contributes to the arts as a board member of The Frist Art Museum and The Nashville Symphony and just completed a twelve-year tenure on the Tennessee Performing Arts Center board.
Her involvement continues with board positions at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, The Women’s Fund Advisory Board, and the Regions Foundation Board. A dedicated advocate for education, Ms. Williams serves on the boards of American Baptist College and the Nashville Public Education Foundation. She also maintains a decade-long membership on The University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and Arts Dean’s Advisory Council. Additionally, she provided two decades of service to The University School of Nashville, including terms as Board President and honorary board member, and has also served on The Harpeth Hall School for Girls' board.
She is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Nashville (TN) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and the International Women’s Forum (IWF). Her accolades include the 2019 YWCA of Middle Tennessee Women of Achievement Award, the 2025 Women of Influence Community Supporter Award, and, together with her late husband David Williams II, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Williams enjoys spending time with family and friends and has interests in travel, sports, and reading.
Mrs. Tracy Hardin
Legacy Ball Chair
Tracy Kirk Hardin is a construction executive with over 20 years of experience leading office operations for a family-owned construction and development firm in Nashville, Tennessee. As Chief Operating Officer of Don Hardin Group, LLC, she oversees finance and human resources, while assisting with strategic planning and business development. During her tenure the company has completed many high-profile projects, including the National Museum of African American Music, Music City Center, First Tennessee Park, and renovations to Vanderbilt Football Stadium. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, operational excellence, and a commitment to building lasting relationships with clients, partners, and the community.
Outside of her professional role, Tracy is deeply involved in community service and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves on boards including Change The Stars, a nonprofit supporting orphanages and scholarships in Haiti, and the Convention Center Authority. She is an active member and former chapter president of The Nashville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Tracy has previously served on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Better Business Bureau of Nashville. Tracy holds degrees from Fisk University and Western Kentucky University. She enjoys traveling, jewelry making and playing violin.
Tracy has been married to Donald Hardin, Jr. for 35 years. Together they have one son, Donald Hardin, III.
Mrs. Gail Carr Williams
Legacy Ball Chair
Gail Carr Williams earned degrees from The University of Michigan and the University of Detroit School of Law. After practicing law in Michigan, she contributed to human resources and helped establish the Office of Outreach and Engagement at The Ohio State University.
Joining Vanderbilt University in 2001, Ms. Williams has spent the last 20 plus years focusing on community engagement. She also taught governance and community engagement at Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education from 2014 to 2021.
Recently, Gail founded Taylor Street Connections, an organization committed to fostering meaningful connections both within and outside of organizations, using practical strategies. The company employs a variety of tools, such as community engagement initiatives, active listening, data analysis, educational programming, and collaborative partnerships to effectively support clients.
Gail has established herself as a respected leader in the community sector, recognized for her ability to foster understanding of complex societal issues and implement sustainable solutions. She has served on many boards, including over twenty years with the Metropolitan Nashville Transit Authority Board of Directors, where she is currently Chair. She also contributes to the arts as a board member of The Frist Art Museum and The Nashville Symphony and just completed a twelve-year tenure on the Tennessee Performing Arts Center board.
Her involvement continues with board positions at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, The Women’s Fund Advisory Board, and the Regions Foundation Board. A dedicated advocate for education, Ms. Williams serves on the boards of American Baptist College and the Nashville Public Education Foundation. She also maintains a decade-long membership on The University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and Arts Dean’s Advisory Council. Additionally, she provided two decades of service to The University School of Nashville, including terms as Board President and honorary board member, and has also served on The Harpeth Hall School for Girls' board.
She is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Nashville (TN) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and the International Women’s Forum (IWF). Her accolades include the 2019 YWCA of Middle Tennessee Women of Achievement Award, the 2025 Women of Influence Community Supporter Award, and, together with her late husband David Williams II, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Williams enjoys spending time with family and friends and has interests in travel, sports, and reading.
Mr. Tylan M. Beard
Legacy Ball Young Professionals Chair
After pursuing lifestyle content and becoming a recognized Nashville influencer, Tylan began to intentionally pivot toward ensuring that who he was and what he excelled at could be both profitable and valuable-not only for himself, but for others as well. This shift led him to leverage his expertise, knowledge, and the platform he had built into a serious business, TMB Enterprises, LLC, where he continues to do the work he loves on a larger and more intentional scale. He is deeply passionate about collaborating directly with brands, businesses, and organizations, working with them strategically in business, branding, and marketing so they can grow, reach broader audiences, and achieve stronger margins. Serving as a face that shares experiences with wider audiences-introducing people to entities they may not have previously known-is at the heart of his work.
His love for people also extends into his commitment to community service. Tylan serves as an Ambassador for both the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Lupus Foundation of America, and he values giving back as much of himself as possible-whether through time, energy, or a simple helping hand. This dedication to service is a core value that he deeply cherishes.
Additionally, Tylan is a Nashville-based realtor serving clients throughout the Middle Tennessee area. He specializes in working with young professionals, entertainers, artists, and athletes, drawing on his experience within the music and entertainment industries, his background as a former athlete, and his strong network of young entrepreneurs and successful business leaders across the city of Nashville.
Ms. Lea A. Bryant
Legacy Ball Young Professionals Chair
Lea A. Bryant is a Nashville native, community builder, and founder of She’s Social, an all-women’s social club dedicated to creating meaningful connection through curated experiences. Over the past three years, Lea has curated 25+ community events and engaged thousands of women across Nashville, with She’s Social growing to more than 230 paid members and reaching well over 2,000 women through events, partnerships, and programming.
Outside of her professional role, Tracy is deeply involved in community service and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves on boards including Change The Stars, a nonprofit supporting orphanages and scholarships in Haiti, and the Convention Center Authority. She is an active member and former chapter president of The Nashville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Tracy has previously served on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Better Business Bureau of Nashville. Tracy holds degrees from Fisk University and Western Kentucky University. She enjoys traveling, jewelry making and playing violin.
Tracy has been married to Donald Hardin, Jr. for 35 years. Together they have one son, Donald Hardin, III.