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 website, through which those who have funds may request information and advice on grant-making. Her support has been essential to the productivity and timeliness of our financial accounting.
Kallie Bienvenu, Communications Associate (ext. 123)
kbienvenu@cfmt.org
Kallie is responsible for communicating The Foundation's story to key audiences in the Middle Tennessee area and works closely with the Communications Director on all public relations and marketing efforts. She also works on media relations efforts and all Foundation publications. A recent Belmont University graduate, Bienvenu draws experience from work with two Nashville public relations firms, Seigenthaler Public Relations and Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations. She is also the recipient of Belmont's 2007 Public Relations Graduate of the Year award, given to the graduating student who demonstrates the most promise in terms of scholarship, leadership, and professionalism.
Pat Cole, Scholarship/TIP coordinator (ext. 116)
pcole@cfmt.org
Pat oversees and implements the Tapping Individual Potential program, which matches Metro school students who have demonstrated talent or outstanding potential with appropriate enrichment opportunities. She works with school counselors to identify students in grades K through 8 who would benefit from the program. Pat also coordinates and leads all scholarship programs and other education-related services administered by The Community Foundation. Previously, Pat oversaw the guidance counselor program for Nashville's Metro 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. Previously, Cynthia worked an accountant at Taliafaro, Inc. and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mary Corrigan, Financial Assistant (ext. 121)
mcorrigan@cfmt.org
As a financial assistant, Mary is responsible for supporting the work of the comptroller, including processing accounts payable, reconciling bank statements and investment reports, and coordinating the payment of grants. Previously, Mary worked for Pan American Life Insurance as a support specialist and Cheekwood Botanical Gardens as an accounts payable manager.
Landon Crutcher, Design Associate (ext. 134)
lcrutcher@cfmt.org
Landon is responsible for the design, creation and management of materials and creative projects promoting The Community Foundation. He has more than five years of graphic design experience, working with staffing agencies, design and marketing firms, book publishers, and independently as a freelance designer. He previously worked for Nashville-based Ideals Publications and Breakstation Creative.
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, Administrative Assistant (ext.113)
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.
Rebecca Howerton Finley, Communications Director (ext. 114)
rfinley@cfmt.org
Rebecca oversees public relations and media relations efforts for the organization. Previously, Finley 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. Rebecca also worked as a TV reporter for WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky.
Rev. Mary Katherine (Kaki) Friskics-Warren, GivingMatters.com Director (ext. 109)
kfwarren@cfmt.org
Kaki works to increase charitable giving by connecting contributors to the needs in the community, while encouraging more strategic giving from the philanthropic community. Before coming to The Foundation, she served as the founding director of Renewal House, a nationally recognized nonprofit serving addicted women and their children. Friskics-Warren also held positions with Vanderbilt Divinity School, Alive Hospice and was the founding executive director of Reconciliation, a nonprofit serving the families of Tennessee prisoners. Kaki has been honored with several awards during her tenure in the nonprofit field.
Melinda Gilbert, GivingMatters.com Coach (ext. 133)
mgilbert@cfmt.org
Melinda recently joined The Foundation’s online philanthropy resource, GivingMatters.com to support the ongoing development and support of the Web site. Previously, Melinda worked for Youth Villages, a nonprofit which provides in-home counseling services for families. She also worked for Upper Cumberland Community Services Agency as a crisis intervention case manager where she dealt with teens involved with the juvenile court system.
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.
Liza Lentz, Women’s Fund Coordinator (ext. 106)
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 on the development of other Community Foundation programs and funds. Previously, Liza worked as a guidance counselor for Harding Academy in Nashville and as director of students and community services at Harpeth Hall School in Nashville.
Laundrea Lewis, Grants Coordinator (ext. 107)
mail@cfmt.org
In 1993, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee hired its first employee, Laundrea Lewis. As The Community Foundation has grown, so has her role to include working closely with the Board of Directors and its many committees, assisting donors with fund administration, implementing two state-funded rural arts grants programs, overseeing the Donor-Advised Grant program, and facilitating the Discretionary Grant program.
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 worked as receptionist and accounting clerk for the law firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York.
Amy McDaniel, GivingMatters.com Coach (ext. 105)
amcdaniel@cfmt.org
Amy works with nonprofits to support and develop The Foundation's online philanthropy resource, GivingMatters.com. Previously, she gained nonprofit experience from her work with the Field Foundation of Illinois and volunteer efforts with The United Way in Chicago. Amy is a recent graduate of the Jane Addams School of Social Work, where she earned a Masters of Social Work.
Michael McDaniel, Nonprofit and Endowment Liaison (ext. 101)
mmc@cfmt.org
Michael joined the staff of the Community Foundation in March 2000. Currently 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 assisting in their infrastructure and endowment building. Prior to The Foundation, he served as the Director of Community Arts Development for the Tennessee Arts Commission, 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)
mail@cfmt.org
As an integral part of the Foundation’s team Maria’s responsibilities include overseeing operation and maintenance of facilities, office services, supplies, equipment and related functions. She administers the employee benefits program and is also responsible for maintaining our information management and telecommunications systems. Prior to The 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.
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.
Benja Whitelaw, Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 115)
bwhitelaw@cfmt.org
Benja works with donors and staff of The Foundation to ensure needs are being met. She works closely with Foundation management on the development of policies and procedures and organizational duties. She also oversees our compilation with national standards through The Council on Foundations. Benja has extensive experience with social service agencies that serve 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 for donors and nonprofit organizations throughout the counties it serves. By strengthening the ability of donors to fulfill their charitable goals, Williams continues The Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of those who reside in 40 Middle Tennessee and three Kentucky counties. She also 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 programs, including military affairs with Fort Campbell. While heading the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber, Tracey also spearheaded the formation of The Community Foundation of Christian, Trigg and Todd Counties, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.