LEADERSHIP
Alex Abels
Neighborhood Leader of Renraw Community
Inspired by Neighbor 2 Neighbor's mission, conversations with Jim and Hwesi sparked my enthusiasm to initiate a neighborhood group. Renwar, our neighborhood group was formed, and we now host bimonthly events, which sees increased attendance each time. Specifically, we hosted a Halloween block party last year that had over 100 people show up, and it included a bonfire for s’mores, trick-or-treating for the kids, adult refreshments, and a live band.
Ruby Baker
President of Bordeaux Hills Neighborhood Association
A proud Nashville native and has served as the president of Bordeaux Hills Neighborhood Association for 15 years. Because of her advocacy and commitment, the overall crime in her neighborhood has been reduced, thanks to the Crime Watch Program. She is notably remembered for helping more than 200 individuals and families during the 2010 flood. Ruby is the parent of 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren.
Cassy Blakely
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant with American Institutes for Research
Cassy is a senior technical assistance consultant with AIR. She is a practicing mental health practitioner, with specialization in adolescents, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, and eating disorders. Blakely serves as the project director for the Center for Coordinated Assistance to States (CCAS). In this role, she aids designated state agencies, state advisory groups, and community partners in data-driven strategic planning, collaboration, and youth engagement to support the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. She also serves as a subject matter expert on the CDC DASH Youth Empowerment Project and as a hub coordinator for AIR’s Thriving Youth and Justice Systems Hub.
Keith Branson
Executive Director of Westminster Home Connection
He joined the Westminster Home Connection in 2014 as the second full time employee and the first Executive Director. Under Keith’s leadership, Westminster Home Connection has grown to an organization that annually makes 240 homes safer and more functional for older adults and people with disabilities to age-in-place with dignity, while also preserving affordable housing. He graduated from Murray State University with a BS in Industrial Arts Education and Lipscomb University with a MA in Conflict Management.
Louise C. Bryan
President and CEO at Nashville Parks Foundation
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nashville Parks Foundation. Louise is responsible for creating partnerships in the public and private sectors to enhance the parks for all residents, promoting community building and creating a more prosperous city. She and her husband John, have three children and enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing.
Twana Chick
Neighborhood Leader of Cane Ridge Community
Twana is a rare native Nashvillian who has witnessed first hand the changes in our community. She spent 28 years with the Metro Police Department, including working with Community Affairs, which broadened her community engagement. She has been the president of Cane Ridge Community Club for 3 years. Cane Ridge is currently struggling to balance growth with the needs of the community.
Ella Clay
Pastor and Executive Director of Healing Minds and Souls
Executive Director at Healing Minds and Souls, a faith-based community dedicated to healing trauma through educational classes, resources, and fostering wholeness among community and Senior Pastor at Historic First Community Church (HFCC). Pastor Ella is the blessed parent of Shawna Leigh Clay- Forrest. Shawna and her husband Michael are blessed with four beautiful children Diamond, Johnothan, Micah, and Sean.
Lt. Michelle Coker
Lieutenant, Office of Community Outreach and Partnerships
Michelle is a Nashville native. She joined the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department in 2006 in efforts of connecting more and servicing the various diverse communities of Davidson County. During her time with the department, she has worked in various roles instrumental to developing her knowledge in aiding the community as a patrol officer, Youth Services Investigator, evening shift precinct supervisor, precinct community affairs liaison, Secondary Employment supervisor, and now overseeing the Office of Community Outreach & Partnerships Division where this team’s focus is to connect with the many underserved communities around the city. The goal is to build community trust while educating & empowering each community to be equipped with knowledge on strengthening neighborhood partnerships through collective efficacy.
Amy Crownover
Executive Director of Greenways for Nashville
​As a longtime enthusiast and avid greenway user, Amy joined Greenways for Nashville as Executive Director in July 2017. Amy is an active community is a founding member of Recycle! Nashville. Amy enjoys cycling, hiking and virtually any outdoor activity. Amy received a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and she is the mother of two grown children, Parks and Emma.
Jessica Dauphin
President and CEO for the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee
Jessica was born in Nashville, raised in Pegram/Kingston Springs, and is an alumna of Middle Tennessee State University. Today, Jessica is the President and CEO for the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee. Dauphin recognizes that even with the best schools, jobs, healthcare, parks, etc. a city can provide, if a person is not able to get from where they are to where they are going, living a good and happy life can seem like an insurmountable challenge.
Joseph P. Day
20th Circuit Court Clerk
He was elected to the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in 2022. He is the 20th Circuit Court Clerk and is the first African American to be elected to the position. Day is involved in various community activities and a member of many organizations. He loves volunteering, coaching, and helping others.
Brad Freeze
Chief Engineer of the Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure
Brad is the Chief Engineer of the newly formed Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure. He currently oversees the transportation infrastructure development and delivery for the city of Nashville. Born and raised in the Nashville area, Brad currently lives in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, with his wife (Rachel), 12-year-old daughter (Eliza), and 9-year-old daughter.
Jennifer Gamble
District 3 Metro Council Member and Chair at Metro Council Planning and Zoning Comittee
A second-term Metropolitan Council Member of Nashville and Davidson County representing District 3. Currently, she serves as chair of the Metro Council Planning and Zoning committee. A native of Chicago, IL, Jennifer has lived in Nashville for more than 30 years. She and husband George have two adult children.
Amanda Garcia
A Tennessee Senior Attorney of Southern Environmental Law Center
A senior attorney in the Tennessee office of the Southern Environmental Law Center. Ms. Garcia led the SELC team that collaborated with predominantly Black and low-income South Memphis communities to defeat the Byhalia crude oil pipeline in 2021. She continues to work with partners in South Memphis and across Tennessee to advance environmental and climate justice. Ms. Garcia is committed to using her legal skills to support overburdened communities who are seeking to protect vital resources like clean air and water.
Howard Gentry, Jr.
District 20 Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County
He serves the Metropolitan Government of Nashville as the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County in the Twentieth Judicial District. He was appointed to the position in 2011 and reelected, without opposition, in 2012. A Nashville native, Gentry has been elected three times to countywide public office including the position of Vice Mayor of Nashville.
Joyce George
Member of the Haynes Manor Neighborhood Association
A 56 year resident of the Haynes Manor Subdivision. A current member of the Haynes Manor Neighborhood Association and one of the founding members of the Haynes Trinity Neighborhood Coalition. My interest was peaked when a neighbor invited me to a meeting and I discovered that others were concerned about our area and its problems (pollution, rock quarry, flooding). I have not looked back and will continue to work toward improving our neighborhood and city.
Gordon Stacy Harmon
Chair of the Highland Heights Neighborhood Association
Stacy is the current Chairperson for the Highland Heights Neighborhood Association. In 2019, Stacy joined the N2N Metro Planning Think Tank and the creation of a white paper addressing Nashville’s challenges and recommending solutions to improve the processes used in rezoning and development processes. Presently, he volunteers as the lead facilitator for N2N’s Planning & Zoning School.
Vickie Harris
Founder and CEO of Community Connexor
Founder and CEO of Community Connexor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving accessibility and holistic community care for older adults and all vulnerable individuals regardless of age or disability. Vickie is active in the middle Tennessee non-profit community serving as a volunteer board member for local and regional organizations including Asbury Tennessee, Community Life Bridge and Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee.
Jim Hawk
Executive Director of Neighbor 2 Neighbor
Jim is a long-time Nashville community advocate and a champion of supporting local neighborhoods and their residents. During his nine years as the Executive Director of Neighbor 2 Neighbor, he has demonstrated his passion and strength for equipping residents and neighborhood organizations with the tools they need to create safer and more vibrant neighborhoods.
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Originally from Clarion, Pennsylvania, Jim received graduate degrees from The Divinity School at Vanderbilt University and Scarritt Graduate School. He and his spouse live in East Nashville and are members of Historic Edgefield Neighbors.
Angie Emery Henderson
Vice Mayor of Nashville and President of Metro Council
A native Nashvillian and long-time advocate for walkable, bikeable, better-connected communities. She graduated from Harpeth Hall School in 1991 and Bryn Mawr College in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Growth & Structure of Cities. After two terms as District 34’s council member, she was elected in August of 2023 in a county-wide race to serve as Vice Mayor of Nashville and President of the Metro Council. She considers it an honor to lead and support the members of Nashville’s legislative branch, using the knowledge she gained in her eight years of district service and policy work.
Monchiere' Holmes-Jones
Jefferson Street Historical Society
Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones, is a New Orleans native who has called Nashville home for the last 4 years. She smiles constantly, meets people effortlessly and a perfect example of this thing called entrepreneurship, side note: it is not for the faint at heart. Her agency is MOJO Marketing + PR. LLC. and you can find Monchiere’ working on her Goal Diggers event, corporate client grand opening or new tech startup launch. Learn a little more below, then say “hey” when you see her out. She will definitely be full of energy and eager to meet you, too!
John Houghton
Assistant Director of Long Range Planning at the Metro Nashville Planning Department
Ron Johnson
Community Activist
Ron is a long-time community activist working to help transform local communities to become safer places to work, live, and play. Ron has more than two decades of experience working with communities and youth, helping maximize potential and fostering an atmosphere that encourages growth and interconnectedness.
Judge Robin Kimbrough-Hayes
Division V Judge of Davidson County General Sessions Court
Her desire to serve took her to Emory School of Law in Atlanta Georgia where she received the school’s Public Service Award. Upon graduation, she returned to Nashville to serve as Assistant Attorney General in Tennessee Attorney General Office in the Criminal Justice Division. She currently serves as a judge for Division V of the Davidson County General Sessions Court in Tennessee. On a personal note, Judge Hayes enjoys karaoke, volunteering, and social justice work. She is recently married to Arnold Hayes, and together they have five children.
JD Lane
Director of the Metro Beautification & Environment Commission
JD is a native Nashvillian who received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from the University of Tennessee at Martin. JD is the Director of the Metro Beautification & Environment Commission and works directly with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Tennessee Beautiful.
Alexa Little
Neighborhood Activist of Glencliff Neighborhood
She is a resident of Glencliff Neighborhood, a neighborhood activist, passionate about creating sustainable communities. Her specialties include operations management, cultivation of community partnerships, public speaking, outreach, and event coordination. She believes that community doesn’t magically appear, it stems from engagement. All it takes is a simple hello to foster a small connection. Connected communities are happier, healthier, and safer. Connection is a superpower.
Michael McClanahan
Environmental Outreach Manager at TDOT's Highway Beautification Office
He has worked with TDOT’s Highway Beautification Office since 2016. In his role, Michael manages the Department’s environmental outreach programs. These include litter pickup and prevention education, landscaping and pollinator habitat programs, and scenic roadways. Michael lives with his wife, Kaitlyn, and two children.
Daniel McDonell
Multimodal Transportation Planning Manager at TDOT
He lives in the Shelby Hills Neighborhood in East Nashville. With a background in environmental sustainability, he is passionate about making our communities thrive. He is the Multimodal Transportation Planning Manager at TDOT, working to expand walking, bicycling, and transit access, and he also serves on the boards of the Shelby Hills Neighborhood Association and Walk Bike Nashville. Daniel's favorite neighborhood activities are block parties and community tree plantings.
Rita Martell
Director of Volunteers for AARP Middle Tennessee
Director of Volunteers for AARP Middle Tennessee. A native Nashvillian and graduate of Belmont University, she is the author of two books: Change Ready! and Defining Moments. Rita is the proud mother of four daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Meredith Montgomery
Executive Director at Walk Bike Nashville
She joined the Walk Bike Nashville team in November of 2021 after moving to the area from Fairhope, Alabama. With a passion for working in the community and experience in non-profit management, she is eager to make a positive impact on the lives of others here in Nashville. Outside of work you can find Meredith digging in the dirt, on the soccer fields or recharging in the woods with her family.
Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi
Physician Scientist and Health Equity Advocate at Meharry Medical College
A physician scientist and advocate for health equity, within the School of Graduate Studies at Meharry Medical College. Dr. Nabaweesi advocates for Women of African Ancestry (WAA) and their children, with a focus on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates by championing access to basic necessities for quality living. She understands that health and wellness begin with the built and social environment that people are born into, grow, play, live and learn in.
Dianne Oliver
Executive Director at The West End Home Foundation
Executive Director of The West End Home Foundation, an independent foundation focused on enriching the lives of older adults through grantmaking, advocacy and community collaboration in Middle Tennessee. The Foundation awards nearly $2 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations that provide community-based services to older adults. The Foundation also conducts advocacy to promote a just and inclusive society that values all people regardless of age.
Kate Parrish
Freelance Writer and West Nashville Native
She was born and raised in West Nashville and is a full-time freelance writer and part-time pot-stirrer. A former Most School Spirit champion, Kate brings high energy, intensity, and passion to everything she does. Everything is interesting; nothing is boring. She holds degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of the South (Sewanee). Sylvan Park is home.
Jeff Stark
Coordinator at Office of Emergency Management
Training, Planning, and Exercise Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). OEM is the local agency that coordinates resources and incidents, and assists other departments in day-to-day events, and during emergency or disaster time. In short, Nashville OEM is similar to FEMA, but a local agency, which is extremely beneficial to the community since all disasters happen locally.
Bobby Stockard
Third Generation Nashville Resident
Bobby is a third generation Nashville resident. A graduate of Pearl High School, he spent three years at Tennessee State University before graduating with a BA degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Bobby has served on the Metro Action Commission Board and Bill Barnes College Scholarship Committee, and currently serves as a board member on Haynes Trinity Neighborhood Coalition.
Grace Sutherland-Smith
Executive Director at AgeWell
Grace serves as Executive Director for AgeWell, working with the board, staff, and community partners to develop collaborative solutions for unmet needs, and providing strategic direction and advocacy leadership. Agewell Middle Tennessee positively impacts housing, infrastructure, transportation, and economic development in Nashville. It also offers a platform for the exchange of ideas in developing an equitable plan.
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