Ed Magee Selected for Presidential Leadership Scholars Program

Belmont executive and advocate for young men’s flourishing joins prestigious leadership development program

Ed Magee, chief operating officer of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine and vice president for strategic operations at Belmont University, has been named to the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) Class of 2025. Magee is one of 57 scholars selected for this prestigious leadership program. 

The fully funded program allows leaders from diverse backgrounds to participate, ensuring an inclusive environment for learning and collaboration. Each scholar undertakes a personal leadership project, immediately applying their enhanced skills to create meaningful impact in their communities. 

Magee currently serves as co-chair of Belmont University’s Flourishing Together Task Force, a collaborative initiative addressing the critical challenges facing young men and boys. As such, his personal leadership project will be focused on developing a framework and programming that empowers young men to problem solve using respectful, empathetic dialogue and actionable tools. 

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and the 100 Kings Program, Magee’s work seeks to create safe spaces for critical conversations and equip young men with the confidence and skills to navigate complex societal issues like masculinity, fatherhood and leadership. 

The PLS program — a unique partnership between the presidential centers of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson — brings together diverse mid-career professionals committed to addressing critical societal challenges. Scholars participate in intensive sessions led by former presidents, key administration officials, and prominent leaders from academia, business, and civic sectors. 

“I am deeply honored to join the Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2025,” Magee said. “As someone dedicated to driving positive change through leadership, I look forward to learning from the rich legacies of four presidents and collaborating with fellow scholars who share a passion for solving pressing challenges. I am especially excited to leverage this opportunity to advance my work with the Flourishing Together Task Force and the Higher Education Male Achievement Collaborative, fostering leadership and resilience among young men and boys.” 

During the six-month program, scholars engage in sessions focused on four core leadership competencies: 

• Vision and communication 
• Decision making 
• Persuasion and influence 
• Strategic partnerships 

A combat veteran and accomplished executive, Magee currently serves on the boards of the WD-40 Company and the Smithsonian SITES | Affiliations, as well as chairing the Nashville chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). He also serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. His exceptional leadership has been recognized through the 2024 Corporate Directors Forum Director of the Year, Emerging Board Leader Award, and his inclusion in Savoy Magazine’s 2024 Most Influential Corporate Directors list. 

“By combining the operational expertise of the private sector with the visionary impact of public service, we can create transformative solutions that benefit local communities and our nation,” Magee said. “I am proud to bring this approach to the Presidential Leadership Scholars program while advancing Belmont University’s commitment to developing diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place.”