Staff
Ellen E. Lehman, President (ext. 104)
mail@cfmt.org
Ellen has served The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee as president since it began in 1991, and has seen it grow to become a philanthropic force in a forty-county area in Middle Tennessee. With a background in sociology and business, Ellen directs The Foundation's efforts to promote and facilitate charitable giving and endowment building, thereby giving donors choices, convenience, cost-effectiveness and security, as they make their charitable dreams a reality.
Lani Wilkeson Rossmann, Vice President (ext. 102)
lwilkeson@cfmt.org
Lani came to The Foundation in 2003 with extensive experience in nonprofit agency management as well as foundation and grants management through service to The Frist Foundation, CASA, and the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. As Chief Operating Officer, Lani works to manage the phenomenal growth The Foundation has enjoyed. Her considerable experience is invaluable as we continuously seek new and interesting ways to make a difference in Middle Tennessee.
Melissa Anderson, Financial Assistant (ext. 119)
manderson@cfmt.org
Melissa serves as our primary contact with investment managers and processes the reconciliation of the many separate investment accounts under our umbrella. She is the contact for the Donor Xpress on The Foundation’s Web site, through which those who have funds may request information and advice on grant-making. Her work is vital to the operation of The Foundation’s online giving system, and her support has been essential to the productivity and timeliness of our financial accounting.
Kallie Bienvenu, Communications Associate (ext. 123)
kbienvenu@cfmt.org
Kallie works on all public relations and marketing efforts for the organization in conjunction with the communications director and coordinates The Foundation's social media efforts. Kallie draws experience from work with two Nashville public relations firms, Seigenthaler Public Relations and Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations. She is an active member of the Nashville Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, serving as its public relations and social media chair from 2008-2009.
Pat Cole, Scholarship/TIP Coordinator (ext. 116)
pcole@cfmt.org
Cole, who has extensive experience as a teacher, high school counselor and district administrator, oversees the education programs of The Foundation including the post-secondary scholarship program of more than 60 funds, the Tapping Individual Potential Program for students in MNPS in grades five though eight who have extraordinary potential and limiting circumstances, and other secondary scholarships. She coordinates other educational activities for The Community Foundation such as the Early Childhood Education Scholarship initiative. Previously, Cole was director of school counseling for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.
Cynthia Copeland, Staff Accountant (ext. 122)
ccopeland@cfmt.org
As staff accountant, Cynthia is responsible for supporting the work of the comptroller, including accounting functions, financial reporting, budget preparation, and duties related to investment oversight and fund establishment and maintenance.
Mary Corrigan, Financial Assistant (ext. 121)
mcorrigan@cfmt.org
As a financial assistant, Mary is responsible for supporting the work of the comptroller, including the processing of accounts payable, reconciling bank statements and investment reports, and coordinating the payment of grants. Mary also works to input contribution data into the Foundation Information Management System (FIMS), and process 1099’s. Previously, Mary worked for Pan American Life Insurance as a support specialist and Cheekwood Botanical Gardens as an accounts payable manager.
Melisa Currey, Comptroller (ext. 111)
mail@cfmt.org
With extensive experience in accounting and financial management, Melisa Currey oversees the daily financial activity of The Community Foundation. She is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the accounting systems that ensure adequate accounting records are maintained of all assets, liabilities, and other transactions of The Foundation. Donors frequently turn to Melisa for guidance with gift transactions, investment performance results, and portfolio management issues.
Sharon Derman, Finance Administrative Assistant (ext. 125)
sderman@cfmt.org
Sharon provides support in areas integral to The Foundation's operation. Previously, Sharon served as an administrative assistant for Mobil Oil Corporation in New York City and Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Los Angeles.
Belinda Dinwiddie, Director of Donor Education (ext. 103)
bdinwiddie@cfmt.org
Belinda is the director of donor education, responsible for establishing and expanding The Foundation’s ability to invite people from the community to participate in meaningful giving. Belinda most recently served as chief development and community relations officer at the Adventure Science Center for eight years. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit field and has been involved with a variety of civic organizations throughout her career including Center for Nonprofit Management, Rotary, CABLE, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce's Prosperity Project, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, among others.
Rebecca Howerton Finley, Communications Director (ext. 114)
rfinley@cfmt.org
Rebecca oversees public relations and media relations efforts for the organization. Previously, Rebecca served as a state communications/marketing director for the American Cancer Society where she managed all marketing and media relations efforts for the organization in the state of Arkansas. Prior to that, Rebecca worked in TV news, serving as a reporter in Illinois and Kentucky. Rebecca was recently named a Hull Fellow, a program which nurtures and strengthens the Southeast’s emerging leaders in philanthropy.
Erin Hornsby, Coordinator, NowPlayingNashville.com (ext. 132)
ehornsby@cfmt.org
Erin works to develop content for NowPlayingNashville.com and assists the director with all aspects of the arts and entertainment Web site. Previously, Erin worked as a public relations specialist and a freelance writer in Memphis. She has a background in broadcast journalism and public relations.
Liza Lentz, Women’s Fund Coordinator (ext. 136)
llentz@cfmt.org
Liza is responsible for increasing the grantmaking capacity of The Women’s Fund, which supports programs serving women and girls in Middle Tennessee. The mission of the Fund is to empower women and girls to reach their full potential, to prevent violence, to create economic self-sufficiency, and to promote healthy lifestyles. Liza also works with The Tomorrow Fund, which works to build community awareness, leadership and responsibility in Nashville's young adults.
Laundrea Lewis, Grants Coordinator (ext. 107)
mail@cfmt.org
Laundrea joined the staff of The Community Foundation as its first employee in 1993. She currently serves as the Grants Coordinator of The Community Foundation. Laundrea manages the operation of grant programs, including Discretionary Grants, Donor-Advised Grants, two state-funded grant programs – Arts Build Communities and Student Ticket Subsidy and The Foundation’s Scholarship program, which includes more than 60 different scholarships.
Deborah McClellan, Receptionist (ext. 100)
dmcclellan@cfmt.org
Deborah manages the daily flow of information and communication, and is often the first person with whom you speak when calling The Community Foundation. Previously, she gained experience as a financial assistant at Beazer home in Nashville. Prior to that, she worked as receptionist and financial assistant for the law firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York.
Amy McDaniel, GivingMatters.com Director (ext. 106)
amcdaniel@cfmt.org
Amy works to increase charitable giving by connecting donors to the needs of the community, while encouraging strategic giving through The Community Foundation's online resource, GivingMatters.com. Amy holds a masters degree in Community Health & Urban Development from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She gained nonprofit experience at the United Way of Chicago and the Field Foundation of Illinois, where she reviewed grant proposals for nonprofit and arts organizations in the Chicago area. She also taught post secondary education skills at Roosevelt High in Albany Park in conjunction with her work as a counselor for homeless teens at Alternatives, Inc.
Michael McDaniel, Nonprofit and Endowment Liaison (ext. 101)
mmc@cfmt.org
Michael joined the staff of the Community Foundation in March 2000. Currently serving as Nonprofit Liaison, he represents The Foundation in the 43 counties of Middle Tennessee it serves. He assists non-profit organizations in their philanthropic and charitable goals as well as assists in their infrastructure and endowment building. Prior to The Foundation, he served as the Director of Community Arts Development for the Tennessee Arts Commission, and State Arts Agency where he developed and sustained partnerships with other state agencies and nonprofit organizations. He has served as a panelist and consultant for local, regional and out of state organizations and served as a board member of the Tennessee Festival Events Association. Michael is a graduate of Leadership Donelson Hermitage, class of 2006.
Maria Morris, Operations Manager (ext. 110)
mmorris@cfmt.org
Maria is an integral part of The Foundation. Her responsibilities include supervising the operation and maintenance of facilities, office services, supplies, equipment and related functions. She administers the Agency’s employee benefits programs and also responsible for maintaining our information management and telecommunications systems. Prior to joining The Community Foundation, Maria worked for a Tennessee law firm. She also spent 10 years with the State of Tennessee as Executive Assistant to a State Commissioner and later as a departmental Affirmative Action Officer.
Tina Randolph, Administrative Assistant (ext. 113)
trandolph@cfmt.org
Tina supports several vital areas of the Foundation’s operation. She gained nonprofit experience while working as an Administrative Assistant for C.A.S.A., Inc. of Davidson County. Tina has also worked at the Murfreesboro Medical Clinic.
Brittany Schleicher, Design Associate (ext. 153)
bschleicher@cfmt.org
Brittany is responsible for the design, creation and management of materials promoting The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. She received a B.A. in Advertising and a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Western Kentucky University. Before joining The Community Foundation, Brittany gained knowledge in nonprofit communications by serving as Art Director at Kent Creative. Prior to that, she worked in magazine publishing as Senior Graphic Designer for Journal Communications, Inc.
Jennifer Schwartzenberg, NowPlayingNashville.com Director (ext.129)
jschwartzenberg@cfmt.org
Jennifer leads NowPlayingNashville.com, Middle Tennessee’s newest online events calendar featuring information about music, theater, dance, sports, kids and family activities, and other entertainment options. Previously, Jennifer served as the director of special events for the March of Dimes in New York City. She also served as a public relations coordinator for the New York Rangers Hockey Team.
Emily Telford, Communications Assistant (ext. 134)
etelford@cfmt.org
Emily supports The Foundation’s communications team by contributing to public relations and marketing efforts. Emily graduated Cum Laude from Belmont University, where she served as PRSSA president, earned Phi Sigma Tau membership, and received the Public Relations Practitioner of the Year Award. She gained experience in various sectors of the PR industry through internships at National Renal Alliance, PassAlong Networks, and Schmidt Relations. Previously, she worked as correspondent and photojournalist for The Nashville News in Nashville, AR.
Benja Whitelaw, Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 115)
bwhitelaw@cfmt.org
Benja works with The Foundation’s donors and staff members to ensure needs are being met. She works closely with Foundation management on the development of policies, procedures and organizational duties. She also oversees our compliance with national standards through The Council on Foundations. Benja has extensive experience with social service agencies in Middle Tennessee, and most recently worked with Dede Wallace and the YWCA, a domestic violence shelter program.
Tracey Williams, Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 135)
twilliams@cfmt.org
Tracey supports The Community Foundation’s efforts to promote philanthropic opportunities throughout the counties it serves by strengthening the ability of donors to fulfill their charitable goals and advancing the overall mission and values of The Foundation. She serves as staff liaison for The Foundation’s affiliate funds. Previously, Tracey served as the President and CEO of the Hopkinsville-Christian County, KY Chamber of Commerce where she supervised the development of new programs and oversaw existing programs, including military affairs with Fort Campbell. While heading the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber, Tracey spearheaded the formation of The Community Foundation of Christian, Trigg and Todd Counties, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
