Holly Hearn Whaley is now retired after four decades of experience creating successful, and significant events. She is recognized as a top fundraising professional in her field. Her love of fine wine, travel to wine regions, and experience in producing world-class wine events made her the perfect person to run the Nashville Wine Auction, the country’s longest-running charity wine auction. Whaley led the Nashville Wine Auction from March 2011 through 2021. Her passion for wine and demonstrated talent for leadership are not the only reasons for her success at this Nashville-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite the wine community to help fund the fight against cancer. Like many people, Whaley’s life has been negatively impacted by cancer, having lost her mother and brother to this horrible disease.Under Whaley’s leadership, the Nashville Wine Auction grew in revenue and reach with the addition of winter and fall events, the organization's name was changed to the Nashville Wine Auction, which helped expand the accessibility and offerings. Now there are year-round wine programs for all levels of wine lovers: Explorers, Enthusiasts, and Experts. Whaley is a current member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux and previously served as the Educatuer for the Nashville Chapter. She has been named in Nashville Post’s prestigious “In Charge” list of top nonprofit leaders in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Whaley was also honored as Gilda’s Club’s Inaugural Red Door Champion in 2018.Whaley has served on numerous non-profit and community boards and councils, including: the Tennessee Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), Barefoot Republic Camps, Inc., the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame. She has held leadership positions as a member of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences), Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Brentwood, and Fellowship Bible Church. Holly was awarded the Ann York Huff Volunteer of the Year by the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, the Barefoot Republic Camp’s Butler Award in 2007, and EMI Music’s North America Volunteer of the Year in 1997.Holly resides in Nashville with her husband, Dr. Mark B. Whaley, a retired AACD accredited cosmetic dentist. She has one son, Trevor Redding, a Major and pilot instructor in the US Air Force, a daughter-in-law, Lane Redding, and two grandsons, Huck and Ben.Specialties: Communications, program design, event management, community relations, fundraising, leadership.