CFMT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Donor Services
Amy works with current donors to support their charitable giving through their funds and introduces prospective donors to current and planned giving opportunities. In all cases, she helps individuals and families customize their giving to achieve their charitable goals in partnership with CFMT.
Whether donors are looking for information about nonprofit organizations, the latest details on CFMT's investment performance, how to involve their children in their giving, or the steps to coordinate a legacy gift as part an estate plan, she is there to share the best resource and provide guidance.
A native Ohioan, Amy made her way to Nashville for graduate school at Vanderbilt University after receiving her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University. She began her 20-year community foundation career at The Columbus Foundation.
Outside of work, she gives back to the community through her membership in Impact Nashville, a women's giving circle founded in 2015, and occasional volunteer roles at the Metro Nashville Public Schools her two children attend.
Anne is responsible for leading the ChildcareTennessee team that supports the Community Foundation's contract with the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
A graduate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Anne brings more than 25 years of financial analysis and government contract experience to CFMT.
Job Titles:
- Director, Donor Engagement
Belinda is responsible for establishing and expanding CFMT's ability to Connect Generosity with Need. She assists donors in creating lasting legacies supporting organizations and causes they are passionate about.
Belinda brings extensive nonprofit experience to CFMT, particularly in fundraising and leadership.
She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, or curling up with a good book.
Job Titles:
- VP of Human Resources and Administration
Benja leads Human Resources at CFMT, aligning HR strategies with the organization's goals. Key responsibilities include developing recruitment, retention, and talent management plans, shaping organizational culture, and promoting employee engagement and development. Benja manages HR policies, ensures compliance with labor laws, and oversees compensation and benefits programs. Additionally, this role involves managing HRIS and HR operations budget.
In Administration, Benja is responsible for developing strategies that align with business goals, overseeing administrative functions like building operations, internal communications, and procurement. This role involves streamlining processes for efficiency, managing the administrative budget, coordinating with department heads, and fostering a culture of adaptability and collaboration within the administrative team. Benja also focuses on risk mitigation and process improvements in administrative functions.
Benja previously served as CFMT's Vice President of Employee Care Program.
A Nashville native, Benja holds a Master's degree in counseling and has years of experience working with social service agencies in Middle Tennessee. She joined The Foundation in 2004 after previously working for Centerstone Mental Health Services, Omni Vision Behavioral Health, and most recently, the YWCA Domestic Violence Center.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Finance Coordinator
- ChildcareTennessee Finance Coordinator
ChildcareTennessee Finance Coordinator Brittany McCuiston handles the financial interworking of ChildcareTennesee.
The Trevecca Nazarene graduate worked for The Adventure Science Center for 5 years, where she worked her way from customer service to donor membership level status. She then worked for the Sumner County Library System where she started in patron services and worked her way up to Operations Manager at the Children's Library position.
Chandra Hudson is the Staff Accountant at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT.) In her role, she handles accounting functions, financial reporting, and budget preparation. Chandra oversees investments, maintains funds, and excels in strategic thinking and hands-on implementation. Her responsibilities include budgeting, monitoring financial performance, establishing accounts with money managers, and producing statements for donors. Chandra is dedicated to accurate monthly reconciliations and adept at adapting to evolving responsibilities directed by management.
Most recently, Chandra worked as an accountant at the National Museum of African American Music prior to arriving at CFMT, with work experience at the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Action Commission and State of Tennessee, TN Department of Environment and Conservation. A chance to see her work make a difference in our Community drew Chandra to CFMT.
"When I consider where I want to work and how I may use my skills to give back and make a difference in my community, an organization's mission and vision matter to me," says Chandra. "CFMT's mission ‘to enrich the quality of life in Middle Tennessee' more than satisfies my need for the work that I do to impact the lives of those around me in positive ways. It's pretty cool that CFMT supports people's desire to give to the causes they care about no matter the size of their wallet."
When she isn't crunching numbers at work, Chandra loves to practice her Spanish daily, hike, enjoy photography, read a plethora of different books (history, autobiographies, accounting, books that have been made into movies,) study to become a doula, create music on a social music platform, and be a tourist in here native town and explore the "new' Nashville. Chandra also loves fashion, and if you see her out and about, she might stop to compliment you on your outfit and ask you about what inspired it.
Job Titles:
- Associate With the Employee Care Funds
- Associate, Employee Care Funds
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Front Desk Coordinator
Christina Slay is the Front Desk Coordinator at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT). As the first point of contact, Christina welcomes callers with warmth and professionalism, connecting them to the information they need. She greets visitors, manages meeting spaces, and ensures a seamless experience for all.
Christina provides crucial administrative support, handling mail, scanning documents, and assisting the team as needed. Her role extends to special projects and events, showcasing her versatility. With strong communication skills and a knack for maintaining composure in a dynamic environment, Christina is a valuable asset to CFMT's mission of building a thriving and inclusive community.
With over 8 years of working in front office roles in the Nashville area, her most notable previous employers include: Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film, CapStar Bank's Corporate Headquarters, Jaguar Land Rover Nashville, and Hillwood Country Club. She has always enjoyed being the first and last impression of a company while delivering its core values and mission to each person that walks through its doors. A chance to make a difference in her community is what drew Christina to CFMT.
"As a Nashville native, there was immense intentionality in finding a place that was interested in making a positive difference towards a community that I love so much, and I found that here at the Community Foundation," says Christina. "From the CFMT leadership to the staff across the different departments, there is an authentic desir e to continue being the philanthropic leader and ambassador to a growing city."
Away from work, Christina enjoys being amazed by content produced by Shondaland and Monkeypaw productions, making the perfect Matcha latte, looking through fashion editorials for "style inspo", and spending quality time with her girlfriends!
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Client Experience and Reporting Associate
- Reporting Associate
ChildcareTennessee Client Experience and Reporting Associate Conner Sullivan handles Client relations and reporting, supports application processing, and oversees final reports and invoices.
Born and raised in Nashville, Conner went to Nashville State for his associate's degree in Business Administration and is currently studying for an English bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Conner previously worked at Warby Parker for three years in the customer experience department as a team lead.
Job Titles:
- Senior Accounting Manager
As Senior Accounting Manager, Cynthia is responsible for payroll as well as supporting the work of the Chief Financial Officer, including accounting functions, financial reporting, budget preparation, and duties related to investment oversight, fund establishment and maintenance.
Job Titles:
- West Tennessee Regional Coordinator
Before joining CFMT's ChildcareTennessee initiative, Daphne worked for over 20 years supporting children and families across Tennessee. During her career, she provided direct care and supervision for teens in group homes, helped develop child and public welfare policy, and managed foster care child permanency plans with many successful adoptive placements. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Service Management.
Daphne is the West Tennessee Regional Coordinator and travels that region holding trainings on ChildcareTennessee.com and assisting child care agencies in applying for ChildcareTennessee's Support and Enhancement Grant.
When she's not supporting child care agencies in her region, Daphne enjoys relaxing with a classic TV show on the couch with her rescue dog.
Debbie provides support to donor services activities for CFMT. She works closely with the Donor Services team to ensure people from every corner of the community can achieve their charitable goals.
Previously, Debbie worked in marketing and advertising account service, serving nonprofit, corporate and retail clients.
Job Titles:
- Creative Services Manager
Emily is responsible for the design, creation, and management of materials promoting and supporting the CFMT. She works alongside of team members, event chairs, and other volunteers to assist in concept, design and production of a wide-range of creative needs. She also serves as the point of contact for all design needs and various outside vendors. Prior to joining CFMT, Emily served as a senior graphic designer and the creative manager for The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, the Villag
The Village is an incubation space for grassroots community organizations that empowers leaders from marginalized communities, identities, or lived experiences by providing a safe space to thrive, connect, and access vital resources, wisdom, funding, and power. Erika R. Burnett, a leader in nonprofit and community engagement, was selected to facilitate this work by CFMT.
Burnett's versatile career has spanned entrepreneurship, innovation, education, advocacy, and leadership roles. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Erika is recognized for her strategic approach and passion for tackling issues that affect youth, women, and girls across the state. In her most recent role prior to joining CFMT, Erika served as an expert facilitator and consultant for local and national mission-driven organizations of various capacities and most recently focused on influencing public policy through her role at the Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga.
"For the past 20 years, I've watched this city grow, stretch, and in some aspects collapse under the weight of change and emerging community needs. At this critical moment in time it is imperative that we resource and position those closest to our communities' most deeply rooted issues in order to repair historical harm & inequalities while we build a more equitable and inclusive future," says Burnett. "This work requires intention, transparency and thoughtful co-creation alongside those who have been championing deeply meaningful work, often times outside of the public gaze and while being gravely under-resourced."
Job Titles:
- Donor Services Program Manager
Erin is the Donor Services Program Manager at CFMT. She provides direct service and support to donors in an assigned portfolio funds. Additionally, she supports and coordinate programs that serve the overall Donor Services efforts to ensure engagement and support to all CFMT donors with communications, education, programming, communications, stewardship, and special projects.
Previously, Erin managed NowPlayingNashville.com, a website that helped Middle Tennessee and beyond find Where to Go & What to Do where she was responsible for day-to-day management of the website, building strategic relationships with partners, implementing marketing strategies, and developing revenue streams through advertising and ticketing platforms.
Before joining NowPlayingNashville.com, Erin worked in public relations in Memphis, TN where she received one of their highest team member awards, the Bravo Zulu Award, from her client FedEx. She is a graduate of The University of Mississippi, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations.
Erin grew up in West Tennessee and spends a lot of her time giving back in that region through her fund at CFMT, the Team Mica Fund. Its goal is to prevent and eventually eliminate suicide in West Tennessee through prevention trainings, education and outreach, and providing support groups to increase resources to rural communities.
She and her husband are devoted pet owners and enjoy travelling together.
Franklin Thurlow serves as Communications Associate, where he updates the CFMT website, manages ad traffic and analytics, and helps tell the stories of CFMT and the community via writing and social media.
A Colorado Springs native, Franklin graduated from East Texas Baptist University with a bachelor's in public relations and a minor in marketing, and won 2022 Outstanding Student in PR/Communications. Franklin interned as a Communications Writer at Pioneer Utility Resources prior to joining CFMT.
"Getting to serve and interact with the vibrant community in Nashville and Middle Tennessee makes this job so fun and unique," says Franklin. "Telling the stories that come out of the community is something I'll never take for granted, and going to work every day with our amazing staff makes it even better."
In his free time, Franklin enjoys watching or playing sports, being an avid Game of Thrones fan, snowboarding, reading, spending time with friends, or scrolling through TikTok.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Hal leads the team at the Community Foundation to help shape and cement the organization's vital impact on the community it serves. By convening leaders, donors, funders and nonprofit organizations, his leadership and advocacy inspires strategic partnerships to expand giving and align trust in order to build upon the resources needed to ensure a better tomorrow for the residents of our Community.
Prior to joining CFMT, Hal served as the CEO of Thistle Farms, Inc. He is a visionary, highly regarded in the community and known for recognizing and executing bold and creative opportunities for organizational growth in the nonprofit and corporate sectors alike.
From his early career, Hal has been dedicated to serving and growing the impact of nonprofit groups. After graduating from college, he established and expanded Hands on Nashville and later led and grew the Oasis Center, while becoming widely recognized as an advocate for the community's youth. Hal also has significant corporate experience, including as the founder and CEO of Zeumo, Inc. and the former Vice President of Client and Community Services of Bright Horizons Family Solutions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Associate
- GivingMatters.Com Associate
As a GivingMatters.com Associate, Hayley works closely with Middle Tennessee nonprofits, funders, and the general public to ensure GivingMatters.com remains a useful tool for our community. She especially loves building relationships with nonprofits and being a dependable source of assistance and information to them.
Hayley is a native Nashvillian, and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and brings experience as the previous Grants Coordinator with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
James C. Munch brings strategic financial acumen as the Chief Financial Officer for Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT). He stands as the leading financial strategist, aligning the foundation's financial operations with its overarching mission. James serves as a key advisor to the CEO and is instrumental in guiding CFMT through periods of change with foresight and integrity. James' expertise and leadership are pivotal to CFMT's dedication to fostering an inclusive and financially sound community.
With 10 years of previous experience in the nonprofit sector, James has broad experience in finance and accounting with a diverse background spanning over several key industries, including retail, manufacturing with Fortune 500 companies and publishing. His academic contributions are equally impressive, having spent eighteen years as an adjunct instructor teaching in accounting, finance, and economics at local colleges and universities.
James holds an MBA, two bachelor's degrees, and has undergone advanced training at the Wharton School of Business in Strategic Partnering for Finance Leaders. He is also adept in project and risk management, underscored by his Greenbelt certification in Six Sigma.
Job Titles:
- Delek Fund for Hope, Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Women 's Fund Coordinator
Jenni supports and coordinates The Women's Fund activities, including the annual education forum, Power of the Purse Luncheon and Girls Give initiative. She also provides support to the donor services team in their effort to Connect Generosity with Need.
Prior to joining the foundation as an employee, Jenni served on CFMT's Wilson County Affiliate Board and The Women's Fund Board.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Jenni has worked in pharmaceutical sales as well.
She spends her time outside of CFMT supporting her two teenagers at musical theater events or drumline competitions.
Job Titles:
- ChildcareTennessee, Regional Coordinator Northeast
Julia is the ChildcareTennessee Coordinator for Northeast Tennessee. She travels that region holding trainings on ChildcareTennessee.com and assisting child care agencies in applying for ChildcareTennessee's Support and Enhancement Grant.
Previously, she worked for over 20 years in early childhood education as a Director. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University in Michigan.
When she's not supporting child care agencies in her region, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and four grandchildren, teaching painting classes and volunteering with Shower Up in Nashville.
Job Titles:
- Services Manager
- Donor Services Manager
Keith King is a Donor Services Manager on the Donor Services Team. In this role he Collaborates with other Donor Services staff on joint opportunities for cultivation and engagement and participates in strategic plans to strengthen CFMT's relationships with its fund holder and planned giving donor base. Keith also serves as a lead contact for engagement with civic groups, corporations, and other community partners through speaking opportunities and donor initiated events.
Keith is a graduate of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with an additional focus in International relations. He brings over 13 years of nonprofit management, communications, and community outreach experience with him to CFMT.
Born in Fallon, NV and raised in both Long Beach, CA and Maryville, TN he understands both big city life and small town living and believes this helps him connect with people in all communities where hope and help are needed. Keith is very involved in the Middle TN community where he serves in roles such as: board member at the Nations Ministry Center, board member Insight Counseling Centers, Patient's Rights and Ethics Advisory Council of Metro General Hospital, Professional Advisory Group for the St. Thomas/Nashville Clinical Pastoral Education Partnership, and the Leadership Council for AgeWell Middle Tennessee. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading maps, weightlifting, and science-fiction books.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Communications
Kelly is responsible for strengthening the image and brand awareness for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and its community initiatives through her award-winning work and strategic execution. Along with the leadership of the marketing strategies, she oversees the implementation of CFMT's communication materials, including its quarterly newsletters, annual reports, monthly e-news updates, and the management for many of CFMT's websites - ensuring all efforts are engaging for their individual, unique audiences.
Kelly is a member of the Donor Services Team and manages the scholarship program. Kelly is originally from Shelbyville, TN and went to college in Memphis where she received her Bachelor's degree in Education and her Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Memphis, GO TIGERS!
Kelly has worked for a decade on both sides of the desk in college admissions. She worked at the University of Memphis and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in undergraduate admissions guiding students and their families through the college admissions process. She most recently worked as a College Counselor at LEAD Academy in Nashville, TN.
Kelly is truly passionate about higher education which is apparent in her volunteer work with two national organizations. Kelly is the current NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counseling) College Fair Chair for Nashville where she coordinates the annual college fair for Middle Tennessee students. She is also committed to her work for SACAC (Southern Association of College Admission Counseling) currently serving as the Summer Seminar Co-Chair, TN Government Relations Co-Chair, and as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee.
Kelly loves to spend time with her family at Memphis Tiger sporting events and traveling. Most weekends she enjoys exploring local parks with her dog, Dorsey.
Kimberly is the Staff Accountant at CFMT.
A 16 year Nashville resident, Kimberly previously worked at Delek, Mapco and Tristar.
Job Titles:
- Its First Employee
- Vice President of Grants
Laundrea joined CFMT as its first employee in 1991. The Nashville native is the Vice President of Grants, managing the operation of grant programs, including Discretionary Grants, Donor-Advised Grants and CFMT's Scholarship program, which includes more than 140 scholarships.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
- Operations and Administrative Coordinator
As the Operations and Administrative Coordinator at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Meghan is integral in ensuring the seamless operation of the foundation's office and building facilities. Her responsibilities encompass managing building maintenance, supervising third-party vendors, and overseeing the procurement of office supplies and equipment. She adeptly handles budget management for office supplies and building operations, showcasing her proficiency in both organizational and financial aspects. Meghan's role extends beyond operations management to include front desk support, assisting with incoming calls, and providing technical support for meetings in the foundation's spaces.
Graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Tourism management, Meghan's career started in the hospitality and tourism industry where she worked at hotels and CVBs. She then pivoted from hospitality to explore other industries but remained focused on operations roles, most recently working at startups. A chance to serve the community is what drew her to CFMT.
"I'm excited to join an organization with a mission focused on serving our local communit ies through a variety of interests and services," says Meghan.
Melissa serves as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's primary contact for investment managers and process the reconciliation of the many separate investment accounts under CFMT's financial umbrella. She also assists the Chief Financial Officer in preparing the annual operating budget and forecasts.
Other miscellaneous duties include Accounts Payable, processing donations for CFMT and GivingMatters, and handling all incoming stock gifts from donors. Her work is vital to the operation of CFMT's online giving system and her support has been essential to the productivity and timeliness of our financial accounting.
Outside of the office Melissa enjoys the outdoors, camping and boating.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Morgan serves as CFMT's staff photographer and videographer. They tell the story of CFMT and its fundholders and donors through various forms of digital and visual media.
Morgan has a background in photojournalism and assists with CFMT's social media presence, newsletters, annual reports and promotional materials.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- GivingMatters.Com Manager
As the GivingMatters.com Manager, Nicole works closely with Middle Tennessee nonprofits, funders, and the general public to ensure GivingMatters.com remains a useful tool for our Community. She especially loves helping organizations tell their stories and raise much-needed funds.
"That Mr. Rogers saying about ‘looking for the helpers' has always really impacted me, and I don't have to look very far working here," says Nicole. "I have the privilege to witness passionate helpers every day as part of my work and that has brought so much meaning to my life. Every day, I spend my work day learning from, sharing with, helping, and supporting nonprofit leaders, a group of people who have dedicated their lives to supporting those who need it most in our community, and I can't think of a better way to keep my cup always overflowing."
Nicole grew up in Vero Beach, Florida, and is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration.
In her spare time she enjoys volunteering, doing science projects with her kids, and exploring Nashville with her family.
Job Titles:
- Services Coordinator
- ChildcareTennessee Program Services Coordinator
- Program Coordinator for ChildcareNashville
As program coordinator for ChildcareNashville, Paola oversees child care centers' profiles on ChildcareNashville.com, including providing training and technical assistance to new and existing users of the site. She also oversaw the complete Spanish translation of ChildcareNashville.com and also assists with translating for other initiatives of CFMT.
Paola was born and grew up in Posadas, Argentina and has a Bachelor's Degree in English Education. Outside of CFMT, she enjoys cooking, the outdoors or settling down with a good book.
Job Titles:
- Shared Services Coordinator
Pat is the Regional Affiliates and Shared Services Coordinator for ChildcareTennessee. He works to bring child care agencies across Tennessee the best deals on products and services they use every day, helping reduce their operating costs and saving them time searching on their own.
Before joining The CFMT's ChildcareTennessee initiative, Pat worked in education for 20 years. During his career, he served as Athletic Director for Cumberland University and Father Ryan High School. Pat also brings nonprofit experience to his role, having served as Executive Director of Sherry's Run, a nonprofit cancer support ministry that supports patients and their families while they battle the disease.
He holds a Master's Degree in Education from Cumberland University.
Outside of CFMT, Pat enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, son Will and Rufus, their English bulldog. An avid outdoorsman and Titans fan, he also enjoys coaching youth baseball and basketball.
Patty is the Financial Assistant. She handles the accounts receivable side of finances such as depositing checks, putting them in the system, and creating and sending the tax receipts.
Patty previously worked as a Pricing Analyst for the Reyes Holdings Beverage division for 15 years, and spent time as a Business Manager Assistant at Acosta Sales and Marketing.
"Most of my career has been spent making money for the shareholders," says Patty. "Giving back to the community and feeling like I have a hand in improving Tennessee is what drew me here."
Job Titles:
- Chairman - Elect
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Services Coordinator
- ChildcareTennessee Substitute Services Coordinator
Sarah manages our ChildcareTennessee Substitute Service, which provides substitutes to licensed child care providers in the Greater Nashville area. She also assists with site administration for ChildcareNashville.com.
Before joining the CFMT team in 2019, Sarah taught preschool aged children at The Goddard School of Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Child Development from Harding University. Sarah has always had a passion for supporting the well-being of children!
Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, knitting for her loved ones, and watching movies!
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager of Employee Care Programs
Job Titles:
- Delek Fund for Hope, Program Director
Job Titles:
- Donor Data and Reporting Associate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors