The Belmont University Board of Trustees recently added six new members for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year: attorney and realtor Leilani Boulware, music industry legend and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Joe Galante, entertainment executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, communications leader Ronald Roberts, music industry leader Sarah Trahern and entrepreneur and author Louis Upkins.
Board of Trustees Chair Milton Johnson, who is a Belmont alumnus and retired CEO/Chairman of HCA Healthcare, said, "These distinguished leaders bring exceptional expertise across industries that are vital to Nashville and beyond. Their diverse backgrounds in real estate, entertainment, technology, communications and entrepreneurship will provide invaluable insights as Belmont continues its trajectory toward becoming the leading Christ-centered university in the world. We are honored to welcome these servant leaders to our Board."
Leilani Boulware is the Owner/President of Leilani Boulware Real Estate working as a REALTOR® with The Wilson Real Estate Group. Prior to working in real estate, Boulware served as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for leading Nashville healthcare institutions. She serves on the boards of Brentwood Baptist Church, Rocketown, Project Connect and served as the former chairman of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, the Nelson Andrews Leadership Center and Mental Health Cooperative. Boulware is a graduate of the Leadership Nashville Class of 2003 and is a former board member of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Joe Galante is President of Galante Entertainment and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Widely regarded as the man who taught Nashville how to market and sell country music, he became head of RCA's Nashville division in 1982 at age 32, making him the youngest person ever to run a major country record label. Under his leadership, RCA Records was the top selling country label for 11 years in a row, developing the careers of Alabama, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and The Judds.
Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten is the CEO of Wonder Project, an entertainment brand that produces and curates premium theatrical films and series for the global faith and values audience. Under her leadership, Wonder Project has raised more than $100 million from investors and released its first series, House of David, on Amazon Prime. Over the past 20 years, Hoogstraten has held senior leadership roles at major media organizations, such as Netflix and YouTube. At Netflix, she spearheaded the company’s international expansion and at YouTube, she served as Vice President of Content where she led the Americas business, including the launch of YouTube TV. Hoogstraten lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and three children.
Ronald Roberts is Managing Partner at Finn Partners, one of Nashville's largest communications firms. He has had careers in television, higher education where he taught journalism and public relations, and communications. He began his agency career at DVL and after merging with Seigenthaler became part of Finn Partners. He is currently Board Chair for Cheekwood and former board chair of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Downtown Rotary Club and Nashville Sports Council.
Sarah Trahern has served as CEO of the Country Music Association since 2014. After working at C-SPAN covering politics, she moved to Nashville to work at The Nashville Network and later became General Manager at Great American Country. She was named "Executive of the Year" by Billboard in 2017.
Louis Upkins is CEO of Upkins & Co. and a renowned entrepreneur, author and speaker. He has worked with major brands and personalities including Oprah, Starbucks, UPS, McDonald's, Whitney Houston, Jon Batiste, all professional sports and many others. In 2007, he co-chaired the Luis Palau Nashville Cityfest, which was attended by nearly 100,000. He is the author of "Treat Me Like a Customer" and a graduate of Leadership Nashville and Leadership Middle Tennessee.
"We are delighted to welcome these accomplished leaders to our Board of Trust," said Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. "Their collective expertise represents the diverse industries that make Nashville a thriving hub of innovation and creativity. Each brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to excellence that will help guide Belmont as we continue to develop leaders of purpose, character and wisdom, equipped to make the world a better place."