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

Bekah Russell

E-Mentoring Coordinator

James Thornton

Program Specialist

Anthony Fisher

Program Specialist

Leigh-Ann Treece

VP of Program Operations

Anna Roberts

Manager of School-Based

Annea Smith

Family Engagement Coordinator

Brooke Goodson

Sports Buddies Coordinator

Ana Helis

Program Specialist

Gracen Niazi

Program Specialist

Tara Dixon

Director of Site-Based Programs

Rachel Becker

Manager of Community-Based

Molly Stewart

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Emme Diaz

Program Specialist

Kendra Jones

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

Grayson Hanson

Program Specialist

Alondra Woodard

Program Specialist

Not Pictured

Jamar Esaw – Rites of Passage Mentor Corps Fellow

Clarissa Gardner – Program Specialist

Traveria Evans – Community Engagement and Volunteer Leader, Americorps

Doug Halleen

VP of Development

Tiffany Perkins

Digital Marketing and Communications Manager

Martrell Harris

Director of Marketing & Communications

Alejandra Holt

Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement Manager

Brittany Curry

Director of Corporate Relations and Distinguished Donor Events

Veronica Chambers

Development Coordinator

Alyson Woods

Director of Annual Giving

Lauren Fenn

Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement

Peachtress Perkins-Sumler

Executive Assistant

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

Grant Kinnett

Chair
Retail Leasing & Sales Director Boyle Nashville, LLC.

Erica Vick Penley

Governance Committee Chair
Partner
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

Dennis Georgatos

Senior VP, Account Manager
Skanska USA Building Inc.

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

Associate Editor

American City Business Journal

Brandon Corbin

Regional Technology Officer

Ascension Saint Thomas

Alex Tolbert

Founder

Bernard Health

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

VP
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

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 VP 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 VP & Private Client Manager

Bank of America