Melissa Jaggers, President & Chief Executive Officer
Melissa came to Alignment Nashville in 2005 after serving as Director of Grant Development at Nashville State Community College for six years, where she worked to secure several federally funded grants from the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, and other sources. She also served as Nashville State's Director of Development, raising private funds for the institution and working with the Nashville State Foundation. Previously, Melissa was Director of Marketing at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee, and Account Manager at Fletcher & Rowley Political Consulting. Melissa holds a BA in Political Science from Western Kentucky University.
Tel: 615.585.8634
Email: melissa@alignmentnashville.org
Heather Chalos, Vice President of Operations
Heather is the Vice President of Operations for Alignment Nashville and Alignment USA. She is a graduate of Belmont University and joined Alignment Nashville in 2012 after having worked in children's health for over twelve years. Her experience includes non-profit management, medical practice management, volunteer management and grant writing. While working with a regional, multi-office pediatric practice, Heather implemented a program to provide incentives to employees for volunteering in their communities and was instrumental in the creation of the practice's non-profit foundation. As director of a non-profit foundation dedicated to children's health, she implemented a program designed to provide health and wellness education to families in faith-based and community centers. Heather is proud to be a Reading is Fundamental (RIF) volunteer in MNPS Elementary Schools.
Tel: 615.717.7233
Email: heather@alignmentnashville.org
Glen L. Biggs, Senior Associate Director
Glen brings over twenty-five years of diverse professional experience to Alignment Nashville. His experience spans the corporate, non-profit, and private sectors with various managerial responsibilities including marketing, technology and resource management. Glen proudly served at the Oasis Center, a Nashville non-profit agency dedicated to youth and teens, for ten years. While at Oasis, his areas of oversight included technology and systems administration, resource development, grants management, and staff development. Glen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Aquinas College and is a certified Life and Business Coach (NLPC).
Tel: 615.585.8731
Email: glen@alignmentnashville.org
Anthony Johnson, Alignment USA Community Consultant
Anthony B. Johnson, Esq., is a native of Memphis, TN. He has a Bachelor's of Science and Master's of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee State University (TSU) and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. Mr. Johnson is member of the Wisconsin State Bar. He has extensive legal experience in corporate and securities law, business and contract law, real estate development and intellectual property law. Mr. Johnson has taught engineering and engineering ethics classes in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Department in the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science at TSU. Anthony joins Alignment Nashville from Community Nashville, where he was Vice President of Program Services. He spends a lot of time nurturing, coaching and mentoring youth and is well versed in youth empowerment and service learning initiatives. Mr. Johnson is an experienced and gifted facilitator and well read on issues of race, diversity, privilege and inclusiveness.
Tel: 615.585.1698
Email: anthony@alignmentnashville.org
Lexi Morritt, Associate Director
Lexi is a native of Seattle, WA and a graduate of the University of Washington. Before joining Alignment Nashville, she spent several years in buying and e-commerce for national retailer Nordstrom and in public radio as an on-air host of both music and NPR News programming at stations in Seattle, Aspen, and Carbondale, CO. She is also a trained Climate Leader with the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Lexi joined Alignment Nashville in 2013.
Tel: 615.495.1726
Email: lexi@alignmentnashville.org
Jaleesa Johnson, Alignment Team Coordinator
Jaleesa was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Science degree in Public Health from Meharry Medical College where she also served as the Community Ambassador for the Graduate School for 2013-14. Before joining the Alignment Nashville team, Jaleesa worked for the University of North Carolina's NC TraCS Institute on childhood obesity, Carolinas Healthcare System in Fort Mill, SC and interned with the Metro Nashville Public Health Department. Her volunteer efforts include the Guilford County Department of Public Health where she aided in the coordination of the Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina campaign, as well as Nashville's Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center and the Metro Public Health Department.
Tel: 615.495.2748
Email: jaleesa@alignmentnashville.org
Matia Powell, Community Engagement Coordinator
Before joining Alignment, Matia spent the last six years in the Communications department for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). During her tenure with MNPS, she helped both departments and schools effectively communicate with families and stakeholders through new media. She was also one the key planners for the district's annual First Choice Festival. Known for her energy, planning, and insight, Matia is passionate about civic and community engagement serving on several boards for non-profits such as Nashville Emerging Leaders, New Leaders Council Nashville, and the Women's Political Collaborative for Tennessee. Matia holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University.
Tel: 615.495.6415
Email:matia@alignmentnashville.org
Lwam Tecleab, AUSA Project Manager
Lwam, a native of Rochester, NY, obtained her bachelor’s from Geneseo State University in Mathematics, and continued her education, receiving a master’s in Adolescence Math Education from the University at Buffalo. While in Rochester, Lwam has spent time as a teacher. She has also spent a few years as a Compliance Specialist working directly with the business offices of school districts, assisting with regulating retirement plans.
Tel: 615.521.5991
Email: lwam@alignmentusa.org
Bethany Eldridge, Ford Hub Program Manager
Bethany Eldridge has a background in education nonprofit and policy work, having come to Nashville from San Diego where she worked with the Foundation for Learning Equality. She received her BA in Law, Justice, & Society from Lipscomb University and completed her MA in European Studies on Society, Science, and Technology at Maastricht University in the Netherlands as a Fulbright Scholar.
Tel: 615.585.5149
Email: bethany@nashvillefordhub.org
Andrew Duffel, Office Manager
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Master of Business Administration degree from Treveccca Nazarene University. Before joining the Alignment Nashville team, Andrew worked for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.
Tel: 615.522.4668
Email: andrew@alignmentnashville.org
Brickey Nuchols, Grants Coordinator
Brickey is a native of Maryville, TN. Prior to joining the Alignment Nashville team, Brickey worked for Community Food Advocates, where he secured several grants to support CFA's programs. Brickey also worked for the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, an Appalachian cultural history museum, where he was introduced to grant writing and began his nonprofit career. Before moving to Nashville, Brickey worked for over six years in the financial sector with Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, assisting customers in developing payment arrangements to avoid foreclosure. This job experience led to his decision to return to the nonprofit sector to better assist underserved populations. Brickey holds a B.A. in History from Maryville College and an M.A. in Public History from Appalachian State University.
Tel: 615.506.8888
Email: grants@alignmentnashville.org
Isabella Anderson-Harder, Finance Manager
Isabella Anderson-Harder was raised in Upstate NY. Isabella comes to Alignment Nashville from the concert and convention production realm where she spent over ten years in management roles. Isabella is passionate about helping the children of our community through both her supporting role at Alignment Nashville and her volunteer work with Our Kids Center’s events. Isabella holds an Associate’s degree from Cayuga Community College and two Bachelor’s degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.