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

Grayson Hanson
Program Specialist

Kendra Jones
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

James Thornton
Program Specialist

Alondra Woodard
Program Specialist

Tara Dixon
Director of Site-Based Programs

Rachel Becker
Manager of Community-Based

Molly Stewart
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Yulonda Martin
Mentor Corps Fellow/Program Specialist

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

Journee Holt
Program Specialist

Ana Helis
Program Specialist
Not Pictured
Jamar Esaw – Rites of Passage Mentor Corps Fellow
Anthony Fisher – Program Specialist
Clarissa Gardner – Program Specialist

David Edwards
Chief Development Officer

Lauren Fenn
Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement

Veronica Chambers
Development Coordinator

Doug Halleen
VP of Development

Tiffany Perkins
Digital Marketing and Communications Manager

Martrell Harris
Director of Marketing & Communications

Dantriel McWilliams
Community Engagement Manager

Alyson Woods
Director of Annual Giving

Brittany Curry
Director of Corporate Relations and Distinguished Donor Events

Alejandra Holt
Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement Manager
Not Pictured
Peachtress Perkins-Sumler – Executive Assistant to David Edwards

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