Women of Influence: Freda Player, Emerge Tennessee

Get to know 2022 Women of Influence winner Freda Player, executive director at Emerge Tennessee.

Freda Player, executive director at Emerge Tennessee.

Emerge Tennessee recruits, trains and provides a network to Democratic women who want to run for office. Freda Player oversees the entire operation of the statewide organization. She is responsible for all fundraising efforts, candidate recruitment and implementation of the training programs.

If you could change one thing about Nashville, what would it be and why?

I would make Nashville a more senior-friendly city. I think our senior citizens are invisible to a lot of leaders and people in our community [need] to ensure their quality of life can be sustained as Nashville grows. Nashville has become a city which they couldn’t imagine 25-30 years ago.

For those of us who are in our prime, are we going to be able to age in place with a decent quality of life in our city? What’s the best business or life lesson you’ve learned?

The best business lesson I learned is to be kind, honest and diplomatic. If you work long enough in this city, you are going to have to work with people you were once on the opposite side of an issue or campaign.  What mistake do young professionals make, and how would you advise them to avoid it? The mistake young professionals make is that if they don’t see something happen, they assume it hasn’t been done, tried or doesn’t exist. I would advise them to ask questions about different approaches they didn’t see happen or the background of the situation of why it couldn’t happen. Due to lack of institutional knowledge, they don’t understand why certain approaches can’t be taken.

What’s the newest skill you’ve learned, and which have you given up on improving?

The newest skill I have learned is how to be proficient and effective in hosting a Zoom call with any number of participants. I have given up learning how to use Snapchat and TikTok. I feel it is another black hole of time.

How do you reset when you feel overwhelmed?

I have been working from home since the pandemic, [so] I usually do a house chore. The work is visible and tangible. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and focus and takes my mind off the overwhelming feeling there is too much to do. Then I can approach the rest of my day, with calls and tasks that need to be done.

Source of inspiration:

I find inspiration by watching people take courageous stands to try new things big and small. I love observing leaders with different leadership styles and perspectives, particularly those who are constantly learning how to improve their environment and the people they lead.

My cure for imposter syndrome:

I have a brainstorming session with other political or nonprofit colleagues. These conversations prove to me how much I have learned over the years, how I can naturally strategize and possess the talents and skills that allows me to hold my own in any room.