We are thrilled to introduce you to Christy Dolinich, our newest Community Action Council member, who will be joining us in July 2025! Christy brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the nonprofit sector in Tennessee, and we are incredibly excited to have her voice and expertise on our team.
Christy currently serves as the Executive Director/CEO of Creative Compassion in Crossville, TN, an organization dedicated to providing affordable workforce housing for low-to-moderate income individuals, including newly built homes, veteran home service programs, and home renovations/modifications. She is particularly passionate about their Aging in Place program, which allows elderly residents to safely remain in their homes with quality modifications, promoting independence and emotional well-being.
With over 25 years of business and financial management experience, specializing in nonprofit management, Christy’s background is truly impressive. Since 2018, she has also been a Grant Administrator for the Cumberland County Playhouse. Her commitment to her community extends beyond her professional roles; she is an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Directors for several local nonprofit organizations.
We asked Christy what inspired her to join as a Community Action Council member. She shared, “I wanted to represent and be the voice for the Upper Cumberland & Middle TN area nonprofits as we all work together to serve our communities. For many of us smaller nonprofits, TNN is the lifeline of advocacy, training, and support.” She added, “TNN has been instrumental in my career by offering in-person and online training. I believe any time we can gather a diverse group of leaders, we can learn from each other and make an impact on our communities and state. I love non-profits and am thankful for the opportunity to serve.”
For Christy, the nonprofit sector in Tennessee is vital: “Tennessee nonprofits are the voice for those who may feel they have lost their voice. Circumstances that are often out of their control have left them in need and feeling hopeless. Nonprofits provide resources in our community that give their clients a hand up and empower them to move forward; they are the light during a time when they feel surrounded by darkness.”
During her time with us, Christy hopes to contribute significantly by assisting smaller nonprofits with preparing for audits, annual reviews, and developing policies and procedures. She also offers her experience with staff development training and board training, having worked with Cumberland County United Fund nonprofits, and is eager to help members who may not be able to afford such training.
Outside of her professional life, Christy cherishes her family. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 34 years and has a daughter and two amazing granddaughters, Emersyn and Wren. Her furry family members include Harlee, a golden corgi, and Neyland, a chocolate lab.
When asked about a book she’d recommend, Christy pointed to “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. She recently revisited it for a “refresher” and found it incredibly impactful for creating good habits, improving leadership skills, increasing motivation, and generally becoming “a better human.” She warns, “applying these fundamentals will change you.”
Christy loves the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau, from its vibrant downtown area to its diverse hiking trails. As an arts advocate, she highlights The Cumberland County Playhouse as one of her favorite local nonprofit organizations (besides Creative Compassion!). Her favorite local spots include the wineries: Stonehaus, Chestnut Hill, and Bristow Road Winery.
A self-proclaimed “open book,” Christy doesn’t claim any hidden talents, but she does love to dance and is a certified fitness instructor! If she could travel anywhere in the world, she’d choose Ireland to explore its beauty.
Her advice to someone starting a career in the nonprofit sector is poignant: “Nonprofit work is rewarding and somedays overwhelming. Rely on peers and organizations like TNN, and partners to guide and encourage you. The work is hard, but the lives you touch are worth it.”
Beyond her work with Creative Compassion and her new role with us, Christy is passionate about economic development and tourism, serving on the Chamber of Commerce and Cumberland County Visitors Board. She beautifully ties this into her work, noting, “Homes are where jobs go to sleep at night.”
We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Christy Dolinich to our Community Action Council. Her dedication, experience, and passion will undoubtedly be invaluable to Tennessee Nonprofit Network and all our member organizations. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Christy!