2026 Strobel Award Honorees

Celebrating Our 2026 Strobel Award Honorees: Mary Walker & Sergio Lopez Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee is proud to celebrate two remarkable volunteers — Mary Walker and Sergio Lopez — who were honored at the 2026 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, Middle Tennessee’s highest recognition for community service. Their stories reflect the heart […]

Mentoring Matters with Brenda Gadd

Brenda Gadd is the president and founder of Rethink Public Strategies, a firm leading policy change at all levels of government. She is an advocate for gender and racial equity, and a recognized expert on advocacy, leading campaign, advocacy and candidate trainings throughout the U.S. Brenda reminds us that politics are about people and how important it is to be engaged. We sat down with Brenda to learn about her career and how mentorship has impacted her journey.

Mentoring Matters with Becky Sharpe

Becky Sharpe is the CEO of International Scholarship and Tuition Services and Collegiate Sports Data, and a Partner in WatchGameFilm. Her professional and volunteer endeavors focus on her passion of helping people grow. We sat down with Becky to learn more about the impact mentorship has had on her career and how she approaches mentorship today.

Mentoring Matters with Contrecia Tharpe

Contrecia Tharpe is an expert in branding, PR and communications. She founded her own boutique integrated marketing and communications firm in 2008, which she has overseen for the last 13 years. She is also a faculty member at Tennessee State University in the communications department where she teaches public speaking, marketing and communications courses. Contrecia shared some of her wisdom and experience with us in this valuable conversation around the impact of mentorship on her professional journey.

Mentoring Matters with Marcus Whitney

Marcus Whitney has a knack for entrepreneurship. As a self-taught, highly successful entrepreneur and founder of a multi-million-dollar venture capital firm, Marcus has a wealth of knowledge to share about entrepreneurship, venture funding, and what it takes to be successful in any business endeavor. He recognizes the importance of mentorship and shares how it has impacted his journey in this inspiring conversation.