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

Alexa Regina
Sports Buddies Manager

Dustin Hamby
E-Mentoring Coordinator

Nadine Bidwell
E-Mentoring Coordinator

Tara Dixon
Senior Manager of E-Mentoring

Anna Roberts
Site-Based Manager

Hanna Leighton
Program Specialist

Elizabeth Smith
Family Impact Manager

Bekah Russell
Program Specialist

Joe Farris
Youth Engagement Manager

Lauren Sokolosky
Manager of Community-Based Match Support

Molly Stewart
Program Specialist

Emily Amin
Americorp

Leigh-Ann Treece
VP of Program Operations

Kathryn White
Senior Manager of Customer Relations, Enrollment and Matching

Rachel Becker
Match Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Corser
Manager of Program Enhancements
Not Pictured
Brooke Goodson – Program Specialist
Kaitlyn Hawkins – Program Specialist
Journee Holt – Mentor Corps Fellow
Yulonda Martin – Mentor Corps Fellow/Volunteer Program Coordinator
Journee Holt – Mentor Corps Fellow
Grayson Hanson – Americorp

David Edwards
Chief Development Officer

Dantriel McWilliams
Community Engagement Manager

Doug Halleen
VP of Development

Veronica Chambers
Development Coordinator

Martrell Harris
Director of Marketing & Communications

Alyson Woods
Director of Annual Giving

Tiffany Perkins
Digital Marketing and Communications Manager
Peachtress Perkins-Sumler – Executive Assistant to David Edwards
Alejandra Mauricio – Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement Manager
Brittany Curry – Director of Corporate Relations and Distinguished Donor Events

David Estrin
Chief Operating Officer

ALICIA YODER
Manager of Volunteer Experience and Retention

Suzanne Boone
Vice President of Quality Assurance and Reporting

Amber Leach
VP of Employee Experience

Amanda Jones
Grants Manager
Not Pictured
Nicole Ceccacci – Vice President of Finance
Doug Anaya – Accounting Manager

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

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

Dennis Georgatos
Senior Vice-President, Account Manager
Skanska USA Building Inc.

Neema Mehta
Global Head of HR – Strategy, Transformation, and Process (ST&P)
Philips Healthcare

Amelia Bozeman
Director
Tennessee Small Business Development Center
Middle Tennessee State University

Marq Burnett
Associate Editor
American City Business Journal

Brandon Corbin
Regional Technology Officer
Ascension Saint Thomas

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

Tom Lampe
Vice President
Messer Construction Co.

Brian Whisnant
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Partner

Scott Romine
President, Advisory Solutions
Jackson National Life Insurance

Jeff Lipscomb
Chairman
GS&F

James Hallock
SVP, Development & Strategy – CoreTrust
Healthtrust

Mackenzie Strickland
Youth Board Member

Winston Justice
Private Wealth Advisor
AllianceBernstein

Edward Rucker
Metropolitan Police Dept.
Community Coordinator

P. Danielle Nellis
Deputy General Counsel
Tennessee State Board of Education

Rik Reitmaier
Senior Vice President of Information Technology
Ascend Credit Union

Curt Sullivan
President & General Manager
Transcor America LLC

Brent Gay
Chief Financial Officer
Advance Financial

Kelly Hodges
Chief Development and Engagement Office
Gresham Smith & Partners

Marquita Qualls
Owner and Founder
Entropia Consulting

Cher Porties
Member at Large
United Parcel Service
President

Naomi Walker
Youth Board Member

Digna Forbes
M.D., Pathologist
Meharry Medical College

Suzanne Smith
Senior Vice President & Private Client Manager
Bank of America
Not Pictured
Alex Tolbert – Bernard Health
Founder