HANK CLAY

With his extensive experience working with both private and public sector stakeholders, Hank Clay excels in making connections and navigating complex organizations to help clients solve problems. Prior to joining The Ingram Group, Clay served as Chief of Staff to Dr. Adrienne Battle, Superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, one of the nation’s 50 largest school districts. Clay’s contributions to MNPS are many, including recruiting some of the nation’s most talented leaders, setting the strategy for record-setting years of increased public revenue — totaling more than $500 million — and leading public-private partnerships. As a result, the team led MNPS to be recognized by Harvard and Stanford Universities for academic gains outpacing all but one other large district following the pandemic. Clay also led government relations for MNPS, focusing on Nashville’s Metropolitan Council and the Tennessee General Assembly. Before his time at MNPS, Clay was CEO of Communities In Schools of Tennessee, where he expanded the organization’s vision to increase the number of schools served in Nashville and extend CIS services across rural Tennessee. Clay began his career with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, evaluating State program effectiveness, and at the Tennessee Department of Education, helping ensure the department delivered on the State’s top priorities. Clay is a native of Young Harris, Georgia and moved to Nashville after completing graduate degrees in Public Administration and Social Work at the University of Georgia. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Strategic Leadership in Education at Belmont University as part of the University’s first cohort, focusing his research on university presidential leadership. Clay lives in Nashville with his wife, Dr. Hayley Clay, PhD, and their two children, Caroline and Henry.