At Tennessee Nonprofit Network, we believe that the strength of our sector relies heavily on the strength of our leadership and operations. As organizations across the state face evolving challenges and opportunities, our goal remains steadfast: to provide the advocacy, resources, and capacity-building support that help our communities thrive. To continue delivering on that promise, we are thrilled to announce the addition of two incredibly talented professionals to our team.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bev Vitali as our new Leadership and Capacity Building Fellow, and Teresa Cheeks-Wilson as our Executive Assistant and Board Liaison. Both bring a wealth of expertise, deep regional roots, and a shared dedication to community empowerment. They begin their tenure at Tennessee Nonprofit Network on July 1.
Dr. Bev Vitali – Leadership and Capacity Building Fellow
Dr. Bevalee (Bev) Vitali joins us with a simple but powerful guiding premise: the most important investment any organization can make is in the people who lead it. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Vitali has worked as an educator, facilitator, and consultant, equipping leaders across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors with the skills and confidence to lead well.
Many in our network may already be familiar with her work. As the founding Director of the Institute for Leadership Development at Christian Brothers University, she designed and delivered diverse leadership experiences across the Delta region. Crucially, she co-developed LeadingUp—a cohort-based program for emerging nonprofit leaders created in partnership with Tennessee Nonprofit Network and the Hyde Family Foundation. Dr. Vitali holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Memphis and multiple professional certifications in organizational effectiveness. In her new role, she will help us deepen our commitment to leadership development statewide.
Teresa Cheeks-Wilson – Executive Assistant and Board Liaison
Teresa Cheeks-Wilson steps into the role of Executive Assistant and Board Liaison, bringing seventeen years of distinguished experience in advancing community and economic development. Based in Memphis, Ms. Wilson is a retired Community Development Advisor who has consistently demonstrated an ability to build cross-sector partnerships and enhance local communities through collaborative methods.
During her tenure at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis Branch, Ms. Wilson played a pivotal role in outreach initiatives addressing opportunities for low- to moderate-income populations. She provided critical technical support to bankers, funders, and community development professionals, helping financial institutions identify vital investment prospects in underserved communities. Beyond her professional career, she is the founder of Standing on the Shoulders of God Outreach Ministry, an organization committed to mentorship, sisterhood, and empowerment for women. Her extensive administrative, operational, and community leadership experience will be invaluable to our board and daily operations.
With these new positions, Tennessee Nonprofit Network is better equipped than ever to support organizations across the state. We are excited for the perspective, talent, and energy Dr. Vitali and Ms. Wilson bring to our team.