Executive Director

---

Executive Director	Mrs. Melissa Hudson-Gant
E-mail	melissa.hudson-gant@mentorakid.org
Term Start	June 2018
Melissa's Experience: Melissa Hudson-Gant began serving as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN in June 2018, bringing to the organization more than 20 years of nonprofit management and leadership experience. Most recently, Melissa served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Chapter Development for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). Serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, she was responsible for developing and leading regional chapters and diversifying the organization's revenue base. During her tenure, she launched a national run/walk fundraising program and created a robust portfolio including major and annual giving and grant programs, quadrupling revenue in four years. She also cultivated partnerships to increase the organization's impact leading to an organizational expansion nationwide. Prior to PBTF, Melissa served as Regional Development Director and Director of Major Gifts for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Director of the "Team in Training" and "Light The Night" campaigns with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Tennessee Chapter. As a native of the area and an MTSU graduate, Melissa is honored to lead such a well-respected organization helping our young people realize their potential.

Senior Staff

---

Name	Title
David Estrin	Chief Operations Officer
Bryan Currie	Chief Impact Officer
Melissa Hudson-Gant	CEO
Nicole Ceccacci	VP of Finance
Leigh-Ann Forsythe	VP of Program Operations

Staff

Full Time Staff	42
Part Time Staff	1
Volunteers	885
Contractors	0
Retention Rate	76%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan?	Yes
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan?	Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers	3
When was the Strategic Plan adopted?	January 2024
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan?	Yes
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan?	Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy?	Yes

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for...		Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director	Yes	Annually
Senior Management	Yes	Bi-Annually
Non-Management	Yes	Bi-Annually

Affiliations

Affiliation	Year
AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals)	2004
Alignment Nashville	2005
ANE (Association of Nonprofit Executives)	2005
Association of Junior Leagues International	2012
BBBSA Large Agency Affinity Group	2000
CABLE	2012
Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network	2004
Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce	2014
Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce	2014
Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce	2005
My Brother's Keeper Nashville	2019
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce	2005
Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce	2014
Nashville Area LGBTQ Chamber	2018
Nashville Prevention Partnership	2005
Nashville Promise Zone	2019
Nashville Rotary Club	2014
Robertson County Chamber of Commerce	2014
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce	2005
Task Force Movement	2022
The Table	2020
United Way Member Agency	1998
Urban Land Institute - Member	2015
Williamson County Chamber of Commerce	2006

Awards

---

Award / Recognition	Organization	Year
Benchmark Organization	U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services	2008
Best in Business Award, Finalist	Nashville Business Journal	2010
Board Member of the Year	Center for Nonprofit Management	2009
Board of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2007
CEO of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2007
Excellence in Communications	Center for Nonprofit Management	2009
Family Strengthening Award	Annie E. Casey Foundation	2009
Finalist- Agency of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2007
Frist Innovation in Action Award	Center for Nonprofit Management	2011
Gold Standard	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2009
Janice and Bill Hanna Award to board member Chad Greer	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2019
Margaret Slack Award to staff member Amber Leach	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2019
Margaret Slack Memorial Award- Mary Walker	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2009
Marvin Runyon Leadership Award	Center for Non Profit Management	2007
Memorial Foundation Leadership Award-Finalist	CNM Salute to Excellence	2015
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2016
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2017
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2018
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2011
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2013
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2014
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2015
Neighborhood Excellence Award	Bank of America	2009
TN Big Brother of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2018
TN Big Brother of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2019
TN Big Brother of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2017
TN Big Brother of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2016
TN Big Sister of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2018
TN Big Sister of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2019
TN Big Sister of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2017
TN Big Sister of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2016
TN Big Sister of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2015
TN Volunteer of the Year	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2008
Top 35 All Around Performer	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2007
Top Workplaces and Meaningfulness Award	The Tennessean	2013
Volunteer of the Year	U.S Dept. of Health & Human Services	2008
Power of Inclusion Award	Nashville Cable	2021
National Quality Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2021
Most Admired CEO	Nashville Business Journal	2021
Diversified Trust New Generations Award (Finalist)	Center for Nonprofit Management - Salute to Excellence	2022
Community Service Award - Chad Greer (Board Member)	Northwestern Mutual	2020
Diversified Trust New Generations Award (Winner)	Center for Nonprofit Management - Salute to Excellence	2019
Most Admired CEO	Nashville Business Journal	2022
Leaders in Diversity Awards	Nashville Business Journal	2024
Inclusive Workplace	Best Companies Group and COLOR Magazine	2024
Best Nonprofits to Work For	The NonProfit Times	2024
Growth Award	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2023
Margaret Slack Award to staff member Bridget Heary	Big Brothers Big Sisters of America	2023
Fresh Faces in Philanthropy - Brandon Corbin (Board Member)	NFocus	2024
Graduate - staff member Emily Lara	Young Leader's Council	2024