The people behind the mission.

Carole worked as a litigator and a federal prosecutor in the Major Crimes Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for nearly 15 years before leaving the public sector to teach. She is an active volunteer in multiple facets of the community and is passionate about helping people who want to work provide for themselves and their families and give back to their communities.

Charismatic and compelling, Al combines experience in collegiate (Vanderbilt) and corporate (Asurion) recruiting with a passion for people and an ability to tell engaging and encouraging stories personally and via digital platforms.

Jennie melds her past experience in entrepreneurship, business, and ministry into her multifaceted role with UpRise. The Nashville native spearheads volunteer engagement and serves in the application process for Nashvillians interested in gaining higher education and a career through UpRise. Jennie has a heart for being a connector who builds relationships, serving as a true champion for our UpRise Leaders.

Mary has worked as career coach/counselor for more than a decade, serving diverse clients in academic, corporate and nonprofit settings. She holds both the Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) credential from the National Career Development Association as well as the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential. Her areas of expertise include career exploration/transition, resume writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn, job search strategies and workshop development/facilitation.

Jack is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, serving as a Congregational Care Pastor and Chaplain. He loves connecting people, and pastoring and counseling them along the journey of life.

Patricia brings more than 30 years' workforce development experience to UpRise; 24 of those in graduate health professions education where she garnered extensive expertise in student professional development. Prior to joining our team, she led her own training firm specializing in career coaching, STAR Method interview preparation, resume, CV and LinkedIn optimization, personal statements, publications and professional bios.

Courtney comes to UpRise having worked in development at one of Oklahoma's longest-serving non-profits. She was at the helm of music industry media relations for over a decade. Courtney is grateful to be on a team striving to provide life-changing, communal opportunity for Nashvillians.

Dailey Rae graduated from Wake Forest University in 2023 with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Inequalities and Social Justice. She recently moved to Nashville as part of the Nashville Fellows Program and is passionate about encouraging people into who they are becoming.

Mark is a certified career coach with years of experience working with individual clients and corporate customers to help them achieve their respective human resource and career goals. Mark is known for being a trusted advisor, his in-depth common-sense approach to solving complex problems, always going the extra mile, creating win/win relationships, and recognizing the humanity and potential in everyone he encounters.

Maryanne’s dynamic professional journey has been defined by a strong passion for helping others realize and achieve their God-given potential. She has experience working as a staff director at a Christian summer camp, serving for almost a decade as a highschool teacher, coach, and school administrator, and helping foster care youth at a local resource center in downtown Nashville.

A Knoxville native, Adrianne Thompson comes to UpRise with nearly three decades of Social Services experience. After having navigated her own share of life’s challenges, she acquired a master’s degree from Lipscomb University and decided to make Nashville home. With the motto, “empowered people - empower people”, Adrianne advocates daily to support the community and be a light to others.

A native to Middle Tennessee, Matt comes to UpRise with over a decade of experience from several ministries, both locally and internationally. With a love for people, good conversation, and great food, Matt uses his skills in facilitation and ministry design towards his passion to create a space where everyone feels like they belong, can explore, and see growth.

Bio Forthcoming

Business Consultant/Entrepreneur

Owner, Law Offices of Barry Gammons

Program Manager, Google, and UpRise Graduate

Nashville School Board Representative, District 6

Managing Partner, VACO

Lead News Anchor, WSMV