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
Director, Office of the CEO
Bryan Currie
Chief Impact Officer
Alicia Yoder
Volunteer Coordinator
Jessica Corser
Director of Program Development
Joe Farris
Big Cousins Coordinator
Nadine Bidwell
E-Mentoring Coordinator
Anthony Fisher
E-Mentoring Coordinator
Gracen Niazi
Program Specialist
Leigh-Ann Treece
VP of Program Operations
Anna Roberts
Manager of School-Based
Brooke Goodson
Sports Buddies Coordinator
Ana Helis
Program Specialist
Kendra Jones
Program Specialist
Tara Dixon
Director of Site-Based Programs
Rachel Becker
Manager of Community-Based
Molly Stewart
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
Emme Diaz
Program Specialist
Hanna James
Programs Intern
Kathryn White
Director of Community-Based Programs
Dustin Hamby
Manager of Site-Based Facilitated
Alexa Regina
Program Development Coordinator
Alondra Woodard
Program Specialist
Not Pictured
Clarissa Gardner – Program Specialist
Caleb Hill – Program Specialist
Cory Piper – Program Specialist
Ayanna Jones – Program Associate
Doug Halleen
VP of Development
Lauren Fenn
Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement
Veronica Chambers
Director of Development
Alyson Woods
Director of Annual Giving
Alejandra Holt
Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement Manager
Not Pictured
Paige Hardy Brown – Community Engagement Coordinator
Hanna Leighton – Development Data Specialist
David Estrin
Chief Operating Officer
Amanda Jones
Grants Manager
Suzanne Boone
VP of Quality Assurance and Reporting
ALICIA YODER
Manager of Volunteer Experience and Retention
Amber Leach
VP of Employee Experience
Doug Anaya
Accounting Manager
Nicole Ceccacci
VP of Finance
Bridget Heary
Employee Development and Engagement Manager
Not Pictured:
Ruthie Thomas – Administrative Coordinator
Russell McBride – Director of System Administration
Grant Kinnett
Immediate Past Chair
Executive Committee
Retail Leasing & Sales Director
Boyle Nashville, LLC.
Erica Vick Penley
Executive Committee
Partner
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Neema Mehta
Global Head of HR – Strategy, Transformation, and Process (ST&P)
Philips Healthcare
Amelia Bozeman
Lecturer
Department of Management
Middle Tennessee State University
Marq Burnett
Executive Committee
Associate Editor
American City Business Journal
Brandon Corbin
Regional Technology Officer
Ascension Saint Thomas
Jackie Baxter
Internal Relations Committee Chair
Executive Committee
VP, Operations
Nashville Electric Service
LuSheena Jones-Coofer
Executive Committee
School Psychologist
MNPS
Missy Acosta
Vice President
Executive Committee
VP, Brand Strategy
Delta Dental of Tennessee
Tom Lampe
Chair
Executive Committee
Messer Construction Co.
Scott Romine
President, Advisory Solutions
Jackson National Life Insurance
Suzanne Smith
Senior VP & Private Client Manager
Bank of America
James Hallock
SVP, Development & Strategy
CoreTrust
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 VP of Information Technology
Ascend Credit Union
Digna Forbes
M.D., Pathologist
Meharry Medical College
Brent Gay
Treasurer
Executive Committee
Chief Financial Officer
Advance Financial
Kelly Hodges
External Relations Committee Chair
Executive Committee
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
Not Pictured
Liz Sitgreaves – Special Counsel
Shannon Myers – Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Tony Grande – Chief Development Officer, EVP
Dana Frierson
Josh Wood Partner
Lori Williams
Sarah Mosely – Youth Board Member
Parker Mallchok – YLC Board Intern
Kelly Hodges
Chief Development and Engagement Officer
Alicia Yoder
Volunteer Coordinator
Tom Lampe
Nashville Region Vice President – Messer
Nadine Bidwell
E-Mentoring Coordinator
Anders Hall
Vice Chancellor, Investments – Vanderbilt
David Bailey
Principal – Hastings Architecture
Missy Acosta
VP – Brand Strategy
Curt Sullivan
President – TransCor
Brent Gay
CFO – Advance Financial
James Hallock
Chief Transformation Officer – CoreTrust
Not Pictured
Chad Greer – Senior Wealth Advisor – Northwestern Mutual
Steve Cook – Executive Managing Director – LFM Capital
Jeremy Hopwood – President, CEO – 5iron Cyber
Ken Rideout – Regional President – CBIZ Employee Benefits
