Conversations that matter.
Nicholas approaches public engagement as a cultivator of meaningful dialogue — bringing together practitioners, founders, investors, and leaders across disciplines to explore the ideas and challenges shaping business and community.
Nicholas has hosted and participated in panels and discussions across a range of topics — not as the singular authority, but as a convener of experts and practitioners. His orientation is toward building the kinds of conversations that create lasting connections and shared understanding across constituencies.
He is selective about public engagements, preferring depth over volume and substance over visibility. The topics he gravitates toward reflect his professional experience and community commitments: governance, private capital, entrepreneurship, financial services, and Nashville's evolving role as a center of business and culture.
Selected subject areas where Nicholas has hosted panels, participated in discussions, or contributed publicly.
The role of boards in privately held and founder-led businesses — governance structures, fiduciary responsibility, board composition, and how effective oversight creates value rather than friction.
Conversations at the intersection of early-stage capital and founder development — what angels look for, how founders should think about early investors, and the dynamics of angel and venture-backed growth.
The financial, operational, and governance considerations that determine whether a business is exit-ready — and how founders can position themselves and their companies for successful transactions.
The intersection of capital, innovation, and healthcare — including the role of Nashville's healthcare ecosystem in attracting investment and talent, and the global dimensions of biotech development.
How Nashville's cultural institutions — including the arts — intersect with its business and civic identity, and the role of business leaders in sustaining and growing the organizations that define a city's character.
Trends and developments across banking, lending, fintech, private capital, and technology — with particular attention to Nashville's growing role as a financial services and innovation hub.
Nicholas has been publicly recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State CPA for both 2025 and 2026 — the first two years the award has been given. He is among 54 recipients recognized in Tennessee.
The Forbes Best-in-State CPA recognition reflects peer and professional acknowledgment of expertise, integrity, and client service — not a paid or self-nominated distinction.
Nicholas McClay, CPA, is a Nashville-based business leader, advisor, board member, and community advocate with nearly two decades of experience across financial services, governance, risk, private capital, accounting, and strategic business matters.
Nicholas serves as Nashville Market Leader and Advisory Partner at Cherry Bekaert.
Nicholas has served on the Board of Directors of Nashville Opera since 2021, served as Vice President in 2022, and has served as President of the Board since 2023.
His experience includes business and financial leadership, financial services, governance and risk, private capital and middle-market companies, accounting and financial reporting, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
His professional path includes New York, Paris, and Nashville, including leadership roles with EY, Calvetti Ferguson, and Cherry Bekaert.
Yes. Nicholas is bilingual in English and French and spent more than three years living and working in Paris.
Topics include private-company governance, angel and venture-backed founders, entrepreneur exit readiness, global healthcare and biotech innovation, private capital, technology and financial services, and the intersection of arts, business, and community development in Nashville.
Nicholas accepts a limited number of speaking and panel engagements each year, with a preference for substantive discussions that bring together diverse perspectives on governance, business, and community.