Darius McDonald

Darius McDonald is the Founder & CEO of Vanguard Strategy Partners, a leadership-driven consulting firm specializing in organizational development, operational strategy, and transformative cultural change. With 10+ years as a Learning & Organizational Development Executive and U.S. Army veteran, Darius also serves as the Chief Operating Officer for The Nashville Black Market and Director of Membership Services for the Tennessee Health Care Association. He has led scalable & strategic operations for government, education, non-profit, technology, hospitality, and healthcare institutions across four nations. From serving in the United States Army Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to corporate & community leadership, Darius has grown a passion to effectively lead/manage/develop people, organizations, curriculum, and culture with both excellence & empathy.

Recognized as one of Nashville Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Darius is committed to making impacts across various industries as he serves locally in the state of Tennessee as a Board Member of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association, and a member of both The Minority Business Advisory Council for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (MBAC), and the Executive Committee for The National Museum of African American Music’s Jefferson Club. Darius is a native of Florida and descendant of deep south community leaders & civil-rights activists, with a desire to amplify black business and leadership.

Some of his recent notable contributions have been the American Health Care Association's 2025 Quality Summit, the "Religion, Technology, & Democracy" Symposium at the U.S. Library of Congress (2024), and the 2024 Tennessee Governor's Conference on Hospitality & Tourism.