New cohort begins year-long apprenticeship designed to prepare students for careers in corporate events, experiential marketing, hospitality, and live event production

LEO Events, in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is proud to announce the 2026–2027 cohort of the LEO Fellows Program, a year-long apprenticeship that gives students hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development in the corporate events industry.

Now entering its third year, the LEO Fellows Program bridges classroom learning with real-world experience, giving students the opportunity to learn directly from LEO Events professionals while exploring the strategy, creativity, logistics, production, and guest experience that drive large-scale brand events.

The 2026–2027 cohort includes students from UT’s College of Communication & Information (CCI) and the Hospitality and Tourism Management program in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. As students return to campus this fall, the Fellows will begin a year of LEO Labs, mentorship, professional development, and event experiences designed to build industry knowledge and career readiness.

“LEO Fellows was created to give students an early, meaningful look at what it takes to build a career in the events industry,” Cindy Brewer, Founding Partner at LEO Events, said. “As the program enters its third year, we’re proud to continue investing in students who are curious, creative, and ready to learn. This partnership with the University of Tennessee allows us to help prepare the next generation of event professionals while providing students access to real-world experiences with the power to shape their careers.”

The new cohort includes two ambassadors, two co-captains, and 10 Fellows. New for the 2026-27 program year, the LEO Fellows Program has added Ambassador roles to provide additional peer support and guidance for the cohort. While Co-Captains help keep the Fellows organized, connected, and engaged throughout the year, Ambassadors bring prior program experience to serve as mentors, role models, and advocates for the Fellows experience. Together, the roles strengthen peer leadership within the program and give students additional support as they navigate opportunities, expectations, and professional growth.

Ambassadors

• Josiah Rushing, College of Communication & Information, Public Relations, Senior
• Eliza Underwood, College of Communication & Information, Communication Studies, Senior

Co-Captains

• Caden Dyer, College of Communication & Information, Public Relations, Senior
• Maggie Meier, College of Communication & Information, Advertising, Senior

Fellows

• Sophie Brison, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Senior
• Emery Brown, College of Communication & Information, Public Relations, Senior
• Emerson Carter, College of Communication & Information, Public Relations, Junior
• Ashley Case, College of Communication & Information, Public Relations, Senior
• Madison Hill, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Senior
• Grace Powell, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Senior
• Nia Powers, College of Communication & Information, Communication Studies, Senior
• Kathryn Truss, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Senior
• Gracie White, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Junior
• Liz Williams, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Junior

During the 2025–2026 academic year, LEO Fellows supported 24 client programs, contributed 892 hours, and traveled more than 25,000 miles, gaining exposure to the pace, complexity, and collaboration required to deliver high-impact events. The third cohort will build on the momentum of the program’s first two years.

“Programs like this help students see the connection between their academic work and the professional opportunities ahead of them,” said CCI Dean Joseph Mazer. “Through this partnership, students gain access to industry leaders, hands-on learning, and career-building experiences that strengthen their preparation for life after graduation.”

Throughout the year, Fellows will engage with LEO team members across disciplines, including creative, production, event operations, meeting services, strategy, logistics, marketing, talent development, hospitality, and client services. The program is designed to give students a broader understanding of the event industry while helping them build professional confidence, industry knowledge, and meaningful relationships.

“This experience has helped me understand all the little nuances you can’t learn in a typical classroom setting, like communication styles and the back-and-forth of real project collaboration,” Rushing, a CCI sentient majoring in public relations said, “It felt like a real glimpse into what I’ll be doing in my career.”

The LEO Fellows Program reflects LEO Events’ continued commitment to developing future talent and strengthening the pipeline of young professionals entering the events and experiential marketing industries. Nearly 60% of students who have completed the LEO Fellows Program and graduated from UT have entered event-related roles, underscoring the program’s impact as both a learning experience and a career pathway.

“At LEO, we believe the most powerful experiences are built through spectacle, storytelling, and human connection,” Brewer said. “That belief extends beyond the events we create. It also shapes how we mentor, teach, and invest in the people who will carry this industry forward.”

For more information about the program, visit: