Katy Varney’s roots in Tennessee and Nashville political circles run deep. She took time off in college to work on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, a stint that got her a job offer straight out of school from Ned McWherter. She served on McWherter’s staff when he was governor and most recently worked with Megan Barry on her successful mayoral campaign. Those ties put Varney in a unique and powerful position. She’s a close adviser to Barry and also a partner in Nashville’s second-largest public relations firm, McNeely Pigott & Fox. In her spare time, you’ll likely find Varney baking.

Read the Nashville Business Journal’s full Q&A with MP&F partner, Katy Varney here (paid online subscription required) or in the January 1 print edition to find out more about one of our fearless leaders, and how her move to MP&F was life-changing.