Our Steering Committee brings together local leaders committed to strengthening Middle Tennessee’s news and information ecosystem. Members include journalists, editors, publishers, capacity builders, talk/podcast show hosts, and civic communicators representing a wide range of media and community perspectives.
The committee reflects the collaborative nature of Press Forward Middle Tennessee and a belief that access to trusted local information is a shared civic responsibility. Through their experience and networks, members help guide this work and inform decisions about how to support local journalism as essential civic infrastructure across the region.
Alex Dearmin
Owner, devsPlus
Alex Dearmin is the web designer for PFMT, and assists with all things related to Press Forwards online presence. With a strong background in web design, ecommerce, webflow, and web development, Alex is using his skills to make sure the message of Press Forward is clearly seen and heard by our community.
Araceli Crescencio
Reporter, La Noticias/Univision
Araceli Crescencio is an award winning bilingual multimedia journalist whose reporting experience includes Univision/Nashville Noticias and prior roles with outlets such as NewsChannel 5 and national business publications. She holds a master’s degree in business and economic reporting from NYU, and her work amplifies the voices of Nashville’s Latino community.
Ashley Currie
Editor, Urbaanite
Ashley Currie is the founder and editor of Urbaanite, a Nashville-based media platform and publication highlighting local culture and diverse community stories. With a background in marketing and branding, she created Urbaanite to spotlight Black-owned businesses and creatives, shaping it into one of Nashville’s leading lifestyle voices.
Braden Gall
Owner of 440 Sports, Host on ESPN Radio
Braden Gall is a media entrepreneur and on-air host who leads 440 Media, a Nashville-based company producing independent sports and culture programming. He hosts shows on ESPN Radio and oversees The 440 podcast network, covering college football, local sports, and regional topics.
Dave Gould
Owner, Mainstreet Media
Dave Gould owns Main Street Media of Tennessee, a company that publishes community newspapers and digital outlets across Middle Tennessee. Under his leadership, the company has grown to include local news operations in ten counties, maintaining its commitment to serving neighborhoods with quality journalism.
Grayson Lee Cavaliere
Marketing & Communications Manager, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Grayson Lee Cavaliere leads storytelling, media relations, and philanthropic communications for Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. His work focuses on highlighting community impact, engaging donors, and advancing the Foundation’s mission to build a more thriving and inclusive Middle Tennessee through generosity and connection.
Jennifer Oldham
Vice President of Communications and Partnerships, The Healing Trust
Jennifer Oldham directs strategic communications and partnerships at The Healing Trust, guiding initiatives that center on equity and health access. She oversees programs such as participatory grantmaking and community investments while advancing the Trust’s mission of fostering healing and resilience across Tennessee communities.
Jesse Strauss
Director of Institutional Giving, Nashville Public Radio
Jesse Strauss oversees institutional giving at Nashville Public Radio, cultivating philanthropic partnerships that sustain public media and community journalism. Prior to joining WPLN, he led a grants consulting practice that supported major arts and cultural institutions including the Nashville Symphony and Centennial Park Conservancy.
Kelly M. Walberg
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Kelly Walberg oversees strategic communications, brand storytelling, and public relations at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. She leads efforts that connect donors to meaningful causes and ensure the Foundation’s mission is shared with authenticity, clarity, and impact throughout the region.
Kim Carpenter Drake
Social Impact Consultant
Kim Carpenter Drake is a social impact consultant and nonprofit capacity builder with more than 30 years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising, and community leadership. As both former Director of the Middle Tennessee Donors Forum and Vice President of the Center for Nonprofit management, her work strengthens collaboration among funders and nonprofits while advancing equitable, community-driven giving practices.
Mack Linebaugh
Vice President of Audience Engagement, Nashville Public Radio (WPLN/WNXP)
Mack Linebaugh leads audience engagement and programming strategy for Nashville Public Radio, bringing over two decades of experience in storytelling, digital innovation, and listener engagement. A Nashville native, he has held multiple roles at WPLN since 2003, including digital director and producer.
Mark Millsap
Executive Director/Executive Vice President, Tennessee Press Association
Mark Millsap is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Press Association and the Tennessee Press Service, organizations that advocate for and support newspapers statewide. A veteran publisher since 1996, he brings decades of leadership experience in local journalism and industry development.
Mike Smith
President & CEO, FW Publishing; Publisher, Nashville Scene
Mike Smith leads FW Publishing, overseeing outlets such as the Nashville Scene, Nashville Post, and Nfocus. With more than 20 years in Nashville media, he continues to guide local journalism that informs, entertains, and engages the community.
Nicolle Praino
Nashville Post Editor-in-Chief
Nicolle Praino serves as editor-in-chief for the Nashville Post and contributes to the other FW Publishing publications: Nashville Scene, Williamson Scene and Nfocus. She is a past president of the Society of Professional Journalists Georgia chapter and has chaired national SPJ committees on topics of local news sustainability and MMJ safety. Her journalism background spans local and national outlets, including CNN and WTOC, and reflects a passion for in-depth, people-focused storytelling.
Paige Hendrickson
Director of Development, Nashville Banner (Nashville Public Media)
Paige Hendrickson directs development for the Nashville Banner, leading fundraising and community engagement strategies that support nonprofit, reader-funded journalism. With experience in revenue strategy and media partnerships, she plays a central role in building sustainable support for local reporting.
Steve Cavendish
President, Nashville Banner (Nashville Public Media)
Steve Cavendish is a longtime journalist and editor who now leads the Nashville Banner, a nonprofit newsroom focused on civic engagement and accountability reporting. He previously edited the Nashville Scene and has written for national outlets including the Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post.
Veronica Salcedo
Founder, Nashville Noticias
Veronica Salcedo is the founder and lead journalist of Nashville Noticias, Middle Tennessee’s leading Spanish-language news outlet. Since launching it in 2015, she has grown the platform into a trusted community resource with a strong regional following and daily coverage through Univision.
