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