Leadership Chattanooga is a 10-month leadership development program that allows local professionals opportunities to learn more about and engage with the community where they live and work. Leadership Chattanooga has been a launching pad for the careers and civic impact of some of Chattanooga’s most prominent professionals. We’re here to share their stories and catch up on what’s happened since they completed the program.
This month, Jill Allen, Chief Operating Officer at Second Story Real Estate Management, shares insights on the importance of community engagement and committing to things and showing up. 
Trend: When did you graduate from Leadership Chattanooga?
Allen: 2020
Trend: Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for fun?
Allen: For fun I do yoga, travel and eat food.
Trend: Name one way you have impacted the community in your space.
Allen: I have impacted the community in my space by teaching virtual cooking classes to benefit various organizations.
Trend: What drew you to the Leadership Chattanooga program when you applied?
Allen: What drew me to the Leadership Chattanooga program was the community engagement and involvement.
Trend: How has your career been impacted by the program?
Allen: My career has been impacted by the program having forged many professional relationships, helping spread the news.
Trend: You’re a highly successful contributor to the Chattanooga community. What practices do you follow that help you achieve success?
Allen: The practices I follow that help me achieve success are sleep, exercise, hard work and hard play.
Trend: What advice would you give someone who is looking for ways to become more connected to the community?
Allen: The advice I would give is to commit to something and show up.
Update:
A previous version of this article stated that Allen served as COO at Urban Story Ventures. This information was incorrect and has since been corrected.
