Our Board of Directors, Staff and Speakers Bureau
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.
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.
Belinda Dinwiddie, Director of Donor Education
ext. 103, bdinwiddie@cfmt.org
Belinda is 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.
Amy Fair, Director of Donor Services
ext. 102, afair@cfmt.org
Amy is responsible for meeting the needs of current and prospective donors, including offering donors a further understanding of all resources and services available to support their philanthropy. She was previously with The Community Foundation from 1998 to 2001, serving in a similar position. Prior to her return to The Foundation, Fair worked as the associate director of leadership donor recognition at The Ohio State University and as the associate manager of supporting foundations for The Columbus Foundation.
Rebecca Finley, Communications Director
ext. 114, rfinley@cfmt.org
Rebecca is responsible for overseeing the management and development of The Community Foundation’s public relations, media relations and marketing strategies. In her role, Rebecca works to broaden the impact of The Foundation's services while publicizing the value of organized philanthropy. Previously, Rebecca served as state communications/marketing director for the American Cancer Society where she managed all marketing and media relations efforts for ACS in the state of Arkansas. Prior to that, Rebecca worked in TV news, serving as a reporter in Illinois and Kentucky.
Jennifer Schwartzenberg, Director Community Initiatives
ext. 129, jschwartzenberg@cfmt.org
Jennifer oversees the management and development of The Community Foundation's online initiatives, GivingMatters.com and NowPlayingNashville.com. Jennifer works closely with a variety of community partners to establish and maintain strategic relationships which support the development of both websites as effective tools for cultivating donors, raising revenue, and building awareness and audience for nonprofit programs. Prior to moving to Nashville, Jennifer served as the director of special events for the March of Dimes in New York City.
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 Manager
ext. 123, kbienvenu@cfmt.org
Kallie works on public relations and marketing efforts for the organization 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 current young professionals chair, and previously as public relations and social media chair.
Debbie Bone, Donor Services and Grants Associate
ext. 137, dbone@cfmt.org
Debbie provides support for the integral work of The Foundation’s donor services activities. In this role, she works closely with the donor services team to ensure people from every corner of the community can achieve their charitable goals effectively and efficiently. Previously, Debbie worked for many years in marketing and advertising account service, helping nonprofit, corporate and retail clients manage projects.
Pat Cole, Scholarship/TIP Coordinator
ext. 116, pcole@cfmt.org
Pat, 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 70 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 and the Edna Thomas Lecture Series. Previously, Pat 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.
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.
Laurel Fisher, GivingMatters.com Associate
ext. 128, lfisher@cfmt.org
Laurel supports nonprofits, grantors, and individuals who use GivingMatters.com by assisting them with creating and maintaining online profiles. Laurel’s background is in performing arts and education. She is a recent graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership master’s program at Belmont University and has years of experience working in the nonprofit sector having held positions at Asheville Lyric Opera, Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Belmont University, and W.O. Smith Music School.
Danielle Gilbert, Project Assistant
ext. 141, dgilbert@cfmt.org
Danielle joined The Community Foundation as Childcare Nashville’s Project Assistant. Her responsibilities include the management of the Cooks Academy Program, DHS grant reporting, and back-end support of the Childcare Nashville public website, which connects parents and job seekers to local child care centers. Prior to serving in this role, she worked on The Community Foundation’s Tapping Individual Potential program from 2002-2004. She also managed an employment program for adults with developmental disabilities at Community Options, Inc., and traveled the country with Dell Computer Corporation.
Beth Groves, GivingMatters.com Manager
ext. 106, bgroves@cfmt.org
Beth directs the implementation and ongoing development of GivingMatters.com, works to maintain the accuracy and quality of data found on the site, and is active on the national scope of the DonorEdge Learning Community. A native Mississippian, Beth came to Nashville by way of Boston, where she served in marketing and development roles at several social justice and human service agencies, and worked with a regional community foundation.
Porter Haile, Technology Systems Associate
ext. 149, phaile@cfmt.org
Porter serves as network manager, webmaster and end-user support, managing and responding to the needs of the organization’s technological environment and contributing to long-term strategies for technological development. Previously, Porter was a contracted service technician with Pomeroy IT Solutions, serving clients including Schneider Electric/Square D. He also has extensive experience developing and implementing technology systems through a number of independent projects.
Carolyn L. Hannon, Director, Childcare Nashville
ext. 155, channon@cfmt.org
Carolyn oversees The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s innovated shared services project connecting child care centers to cost and time saving services, plus quality improvement opportunities. Childcare Nashville is funded through a partnership with the Department of Human Services. Prior to serving in this role, Carolyn worked at Wachovia Corporation in their Healthcare Capital Markets Division.
Erin Hornsby, Promotion and Web Content Coordinator, NowPlayingNashville.com
ext. 132, ehornsby@cfmt.org
Erin is responsible for web content and promotion of Community Foundation online initiatives, NowPlayingNashville.com and GivingMatters.com. Erin works closely with many civic organizations and associations to build brand awareness for these initiatives throughout Middle Tennessee. 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, grants@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.
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.
Tyler Nelson, Communications Associate
ext. 134, tnelson@cfmt.org
Tyler works on public relations and marketing efforts for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and its donors and affiliates. Prior to joining The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Tyler worked as an account executive for The Bradford Group, a public relations firm in Nashville. He also worked in the magazine editorial departments for Sporting News Yearbooks and Men’s Health. Tyler earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Mississippi.
Amanda Parker, Financial Assistant
ext. 121, aparker@cfmt.org
Amanda 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. Amanda also works to input contribution data into the Foundation Information Management System (FIMS), and process 1099’s. Amanda has previous nonprofit experience at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute and Hearing Bridges, serving as a business office manager and financial manager/staff accountant, respectively.
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.
Lillian Turman , Donor Services Coordinator
ext. 135, lturman@cfmt.org
Lillian is responsible for strengthening relationships with donors through strategic donor engagement, as well as planning and facilitating donor-initiated events to raise support for a variety of charitable funds within The Community Foundation. Previously, Lillian served as the director of alumni relations and stewardship at Vanderbilt University Law School, where she was responsible for strategic management of the alumni relations program and direction of all stewardship events, supporting the overall development effort and goodwill for the Law School. She also served as special events coordinator at The University of Alabama School of Law.
Kelly Walberg, Online Marketing and Web Content Coordinator, NowPlayingNashville.com
ext. 109, kwalberg@cfmt.org
Kelly is responsible for strengthening brand awareness and presence for Community Foundation initiatives, NowPlayingNashville.com and GivingMatters.com. She assists with a variety of marketing and social media strategies for these initiatives and helps ensure robust, accurate content. Kelly has extensive experience with marketing, promotion and artist development and previously worked as event coordinator/marketing director for RedGorilla Music Fest. She also draws from experience with DreamScapers International and NOTeNEF Promotions.
Shelby Bailey Wheliss, Marketing Manager, Childcare Nashville
ext. 105, swheliss@cfmt.org
Shelby is responsible for supporting Childcare Nashville’s products and helping providers access these products. Childcare Nashville’s products include ChildcareTennessee.org, a member-only online provider resource and a public website – ChildcareNashville.com – which efficiently connects parents and job seekers to local child care centers. Prior to joining The Community Foundation, Shelby gained experience as a social worker, specializing in adoption and flood relief work, and served as an active community volunteer.
Benja Whitelaw, Program Manager
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.