A storyteller at heart, Lydia Lenker combines her lifelong passion for communications with her experience in media and media relations. She’s spent countless hours behind a live mic, assisted dozens of reporters on deadlines, and managed crisis and message for a governor. As senior advisor at McNeely Brockman Public Relations, this translates to bringing client stories to life, while working side-by-side with the reporters who deliver the message. She has netted front page stories for global nonprofit Soles4Soles, national cable exposure for the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild and exclusive coverage of HCA Healthcare’s research and emergency operations. Her 360-degree knowledge of the media landscape enables her to guide even the most intimidated clients through effective media training.

Lydia launched her journalism career in radio news, then transitioned to television. She was a political reporter and weekend anchor at CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5 in Nashville and won an Emmy during her tenure.

Covering politics sparked a career change, and Lydia joined the gubernatorial campaign of candidate Phil Bredesen, serving as his press secretary. She continued to serve in that role when Bredesen was elected the 48th governor of Tennessee. In Bredesen’s subsequent U.S. Senate campaign, she served as chief of staff to former First Lady Andrea Conte.

A move to higher education brought Lydia to Lipscomb University. She served as executive in residence and managing director of the Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, and director of events and community engagement for the College of Leadership and Public Service. She then spent several years as a media consultant before joining McNeely Brockman in 2021.

Lydia is also passionate about community service and serves on the boards of the Rotary Club of Nashville, Senior Ride Nashville and the Civic Design Center. She’s hails from Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated summa cum laude as a journalism major from Temple University. Her TV producer husband Bret shares her love of stories and co-writing the continuing chapters of their life together.