WHO WE ARE
WE ARE AN AGENCY THAT CELEBRATES DIFFERENCES
We show each other dignity through our partnerships, decisions, and language.
We intentionally engage, represent, and partner with our diverse communities.
We demonstrate our values by learning together with staff, board, volunteers, youth, families, and investors to think and act with sensitivity and intentionality.
Driven by the voice of our stakeholders, our agency develops responsive and respectful programming and builds strategic and thoughtful alliances.

Our team consists of people of all backgrounds and walks of life to ensure an equitable environment where everyone feels represented and included in our work. We’re always actively seeking to diversify our team and bring more voices to the table. Each of our team members brings unique perspectives and skills, and we are committed to building a culture where voices are heard, differences are celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to do meaningful work. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, we’re inspired by our talented, passionate colleagues who motivate us to do and be our best each and every day. We are bigger and better together!
MEET THE TEAM
ABOUT OUR CEO
Melissa Hudson-Gant began serving as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee in June 2018, bringing to the organization more than 20 years of nonprofit management and leadership experience. Most recently, Melissa served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Chapter Development for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). Serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, she was responsible for developing and leading regional chapters and diversifying the organization’s revenue base. During her tenure, she launched a national run/walk fundraising program and created a robust portfolio including major and annual giving and grant programs, quadrupling revenue in four years. She also cultivated partnerships to increase the organization’s impact leading to an organizational expansion nationwide.
Prior to PBTF, Melissa served as Regional Development Director and Director of Major Gifts for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Director of the “Team in Training” and “Light The Night” campaigns with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Tennessee Chapter. As a native of the area and an MTSU graduate, Melissa is honored to lead such a well-respected organization helping our young people realize their potential.

Melissa Hudson-Gant
Chief Executive Officer

Emily Lara
Executive Assistant to the CEO

Bryan Currie
Chief Impact Officer

Bridget Heary
Program Specialist

Alicia Yoder
Volunteer Coordinator

Annea Smith
Program Specialist, Rutherford County

Nadine Bidwell
E-Mentoring Coordinator

Tara Dixon
E-Mentoring Manager

Anna Roberts
Site-Based Manager

Hanna Leighton
Program Specialist

Jaffee Judah
Mentor Corps Fellow – Big Cousin

Alexa Regina
Sports Buddies Program Coordinator

Rebecca Dove
Vice President of Program and Service Delivery

Joe Farris
Youth Engagement Manager

Lauren Sokolosky
Manager of Community-Based Match Support

Veronica Chambers
Program Specialist

Dustin Hamby
Program Specialist

Leigh-Ann Treece
Director of Program Development

Kathryn White
Senior Manager of Customer Relations, Enrollment and Matching

Rachel Becker
Match Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Corser
Manager of Program Enhancements

Elizabeth Smith
Family Impact Manager
Not Pictured
Trinity Miller – Program Specialist
Brooke Goodson – Program Specialist
Kaitlyn Hawkins – Program Specialist
Molly Stewart – Program Specialist
Bekah Russell – Program Specialist

David Edwards
Chief Development Officer

Dequantez Sandifer
Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement Manager

Doug Halleen
VP of Development

Dantriel McWilliams
Community Engagement Manager

Martrell Harris
Director of Marketing & Communications

Alyson Woods
Director of Annual Giving
Peachtress Perkins-Sumler – Executive Assistant to David Edwards

David Estrin
Chief Operating Officer

Ashley Mikel
Accounting and Operations Coordinator

Suzanne Boone
Director of QA and Reporting

Amber Leach
VP of Employee Experience

Amanda Jones
Grants Manager
Not Pictured
Dorcas Kapkiai – Staff Accountant

Grant Kinnett
Chair
Retail Leasing & Sales Director
Boyle Nashville, LLC.

Anders Hall
Vice Chancellor & Chief Investment Officer
Vanderbilt University

Cynthia Whitfield-Story
President & CEO
INSPIRE1, LLC

Erica Vick Penley
Governance Committee Chair
Partner
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

Anne Corrao
Treasurer
Director, Dealer Services – Commercial Credit
Nissan North America, Inc.

Jackie Baxter
Internal Relations Committee Chair
VP, Operations
Nashville Electric Service

LuSheena Jones-Coofer
School Psychologist
MNPS

Missy Acosta
Immediate Past Chair
VP, Brand Strategy
Delta Dental of Tennessee

Chris Huskey
Partner
HBRE

James Hallock
SVP, Development & Strategy – CoreTrust
Healthtrust

Mackenzie Strickland
Youth Board Member

Winston Justice
Private Wealth Advisor
AllianceBernstein

Amanda Lockwood
Corporate Partnerships Coordinator
Tennessee Titans

Brent Gay
Chief Financial Officer
Advance Financial

Kelly Hodges
Chief Development and Engagement Office
Gresham Smith & Partners

Marquita Qualls
Owner and Founder
Entropia Consulting
Not Pictured
Dennis Georgatos – Skanska
Senior Vice President, General Manager
Brandon Corbin – Ascension Saint Thomas
Regional Technology Officer
Curt Sullivan – Transcor America LLC
President & General Manager
Cher Porties Member at Large – United Parcel Service
President
Mykayela Carter – Youth Board Member
Allen McDonald – Baker Storey McDonald Properties
Principal Broker
Scott Romine – Jackson National Life Insurance
President, Advisory Solutions,
David Bailey – Hastings Architecture
Principal
Alex Tolbert – Bernard Health
Founder
Edward Rucker – Metropolitan Police Dept.
Community Coordinator,
Lisa Berg – Covenant Physician Partners
VP Mergers and Acquisitions,
Terry Vo External Relations Chair –
Comcast Corporation
External Affairs Manager
Tom Lampe Vice President – Messer Construction Co
Vice President, Nashville Region
Sarah Crain – Bank of America
Vice President, Preferred Market Leader
Brian Whisnant – Deloitte & Touche LLP
Partner