YWCA names new members to board of directors, elevates three senior leaders

YWCA President/CEO Sharon K. Roberson

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has elected 12 new members to its board of directors for the 2022-23 term. New members represent leaders in the legal, finance, healthcare, education, sports, and business sectors. The 124-year-old Nashville nonprofit also promoted three senior leaders.

“YWCA is fortunate to have steady and strong leadership in our board of directors and staff,” said YWCA President/CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “The individuals who serve our organization focus first and foremost on our clients: those women, children, and families who have turned to us for over a century, seeking safety and empowerment. Our new board members join an outstanding group of servant leaders, and I’m grateful they will be working with me alongside an exceptional senior leadership team that is devoted to moving our mission forward every day.”

New YWCA board members include:

Jen Berres, senior vice president/chief human resources officer, HCA Healthcare

Ruth Cate, community volunteer

Sarah Ann Ezzell, community volunteer        

Michelle Kennedy, chief operating officer, Nashville Predators

Marlene Moses, founding partner, MTR Law

Dr. Berthena Nabaa-McKinney, educator and leader at Islamic Center of Nashville

Phylanice Nashe, J.D., entrepreneur and community volunteer

Gleason Rogers, director of diversity and inclusion, Tractor Supply Company

Dr. Jay Sheats, DMD, endodontist and owner, Sheats Endodontic Group

Tracey Silverman, senior vice president/senior credit products manager, PNC Bank

Cameron Simmons, executive director and private banker, JPMorgan Private Bank

Sarah Zimmer, vice president/counsel, Alliance Bernstein

Cynthia Whitfield-Story, chief executive officer at INSPIRE1, LLC Consulting Firm is the new YWCA board chair and Sallie Bailey is board chair-elect.

Latrina Adams, Ryan Fleischman, and Jennifer Zehnder were promoted to chief financial officer, chief strategy and compliance officer, and chief development officer respectively. Adams joined YWCA in 2018 as vice president of Finance-Controller. Fleischman joined the organization in 2012 as ‘director of grants,’ and he most recently served as the senior vice president of ‘grants and strategic initiatives.’ Zehnder was tapped to be the senior director of ‘giving’ earlier this year. Beth Boord is transitioning from the CDO role to executive development advisor and will retire at the end of 2022.

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