Imagine a team of passionate people across Tennessee who are champions for nonprofits. That’s what Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s Community Action Councils (CACs) are! These councils are regional groups of volunteers with a common goal: to see a thriving nonprofit sector in Tennessee.
We are excited to announce our inaugural members of the Community Action Councils. These new council members will serve as the eyes and ears of Tennessee Nonprofit Network and also be ambassadors in their communities for the organization.
These CACs are important because they bring together a powerful mix of experience and connections. When Momentum Nonprofit Partners first announced their statewide expansion and rebrand as Tennessee Nonprofit Network, the board and staff were committed to having on-the-ground support throughout Tennessee to make sure we are constantly receiving feedback from nonprofits throughout the state. Our CAC members offer their expertise to the Tennessee Nonprofit Network, helping the organization better serve nonprofits across the state. They also connect the Network with potential new members, funders, and other important people. This network of passionate volunteers strengthens the entire nonprofit ecosystem in Tennessee.
We have divided our councils into three to represent the different areas of the state. Below is a list of our new Community Action Council members who will begin their tenure on July 1st, 2024.
West Tennessee Community Action Council Members
- Andrea Baird, Chief Executive Officer, Memphis Oral School for the Deaf
- Arnetta Macklin, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, MIFA
- Forrest Alton, President and Co-Founder, 1000 Feathers
- Greg Spillyards, Managing Director/CEO, Commercial Advisors LLC
- Kate Haywood, Architect/Owner, daily design GROUP
- Juanita Ortiz, Portfolio Manager, Consilience Group
- Katie Earheart-Brown, Development and Communications Manager, Page Robbins Adult Day Center
- Keena Friday-Gilbert, Chief Officer of Programming and Belonging, Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee
- Lisa Tillman, Executive Director, Regional Interfaith Association (RIFA)
- Patricia Melton, Chief Operations Officer, HopeWorks, Inc.
- Tiffany Crumpton, Director of Development, Memphis Leadership Foundation
- Tracey Zerwig Ford, Director of Community Engagement, Hutchison School
Middle Tennessee Community Action Council Members
- Anton Jackson, Board President, Rebuilding Together Nashville
- Joshua Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, Jefferson Bridge Capital
- Kaitlin Dastugue, Chief Operating Officer, Civic Design Center
- Meena Swaminathan, Partnership Project Manager, PENCIL Foundation
- C. Phillip Many, Chief Financial Officer, St. Luke’s Community House
- Samantha Wigand, Consultant, Moore Strategic Consulting
- Geraldine Jackson, Vice President of Human Resources and Head of DEIB, Nashville Symphony
East Tennessee Community Action Council Members
- Wendy Wand, Vice President, United Way of Blount County
- Vicki McKaig, VOCA Volunteer Coordinator, CASA for Kids Kingsport
- Trudy Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
- Torrie Boggs, Senior Director of Community Engagement, United Way of Greater Knoxville
- Sarah Long, Chief Innovation Officer, Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee
- Rebecca Brado, Donor Relations Officer, University of Alaska Anchorage
- Rachel Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, Family Crisis Center
- Phil Trammel, Executive Director, Nonprofit Resource Center
- Mark Cruise, Director, STRONG Accountable Care Community
- Claudia Caballero, President & CEO, Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
- Anthony Prince, Community Investment Associate, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
- Abby Garrison, VP of Community Investments, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
We welcome our new Community Action Council members and cannot wait to see what energy, expertise, and thought leadership they bring to our organization and the Tennessee nonprofit community!