Tennessee Nonprofit Network launched three Community Action Councils (CACs) in 2024 to serve as ambassadors for our organization and be our “ears to the ground” in their local communities to unearth community needs and challenges. You can learn more about the full roster of CAC members here.
This week, we introduce you to Keena Friday-Gilbert. Keena serves as the Chief Officer of Programming and Belonging at Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN). She oversees program development, quality, evaluation, and sustainability. She also supports the development and implementation of new initiatives and projects to foster innovative programs while ensuring that concepts of belonging are embedded into the core of the organization’s work and organizational culture. Her career has been in social work, working with children, families, and their communities through program development, nonprofit management, and higher education. She is currently a Doctor of Social Work candidate at the University of Memphis, and her research interests are organizational leadership, employee well-being and sense of belonging, and perinatal mental health.
What excites you about the work that Tennessee Nonprofit Network is doing?
I’m excited about the alignment of nonprofits across the state and the impetus for collective impact to continue enhancing the incredible work nonprofits do in Tennessee.
What do you think the biggest challenges are for nonprofits right now?
Many organizations find workforce retention challenging. We must prioritize employee well-being through paid time off, employee benefits, hybrid or remote work options, and other means. This takes intention, time, and funding. Even with our best efforts, we can sometimes miss the mark.
What do you love about the nonprofits in your area?
I’m in Memphis, one of Tennessee’s most philanthropic cities. What I love most is the passion that nonprofits have for their work. It is definitely a calling for them.
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy being outside. I love to workout, travel, and be with my family.
Name a nonprofit leader that inspires you and tell us why.
Elle Benson inspires me. I admire her business acumen and success, but I also admire her heart. She cares about seeing nonprofits thrive and not operate out of scarcity.
If someone were to visit you, where would you take them to eat?
Probably Moondance Grill in Germantown. But, if we’re watching sports (I’m a big sports fan), maybe Bayou Grill in Midtown.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
I like Avatar. I appreciated the message of all things being connected.
Any book recommendations?
My coworker recently suggested Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. It is a great read.
What change do you most want to see in the nonprofit sector?
I want nonprofits to thrive and to collaborate. Many nonprofits may offer similar programs or services that could make a greater impact by joining forces rather than seeing others as competition.
How can nonprofits in your area benefit from becoming a member of Tennessee Nonprofit Network?
TNN offers many resources, and becoming a member supports nonprofits in staying on top of legislation and trends in the field. The greatest benefit is getting connected.