On June 16, twenty-one individuals graduated from United Way's six-month Catalyst program. The class of business leaders, identified by the Catalyst Alumni Council, participated in the program to become engaged in social responsibility through the means of advocacy, giving and volunteerism.
The program's ultimate goal is to train volunteers to serve in nonprofit leadership roles, such as nonprofit boards, in Rutherford and Cannon counties. One aspect of effective board leadership is the ability to strategically look at community-based needs. With the rapid growth rate in Murfreesboro and surrounding areas, access to a variety of transportation methods in Rutherford County can be critical for an individual seeking nonprofit services.
This year's class was engaged in group projects to identify issues and present solutions centered around transportation. During the final program session, groups offered findings to City of Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland. Local nonprofit organizations were also present for the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships and continued involvement with the graduates.
Shane McFarland, City of Murfreesboro Mayor, said, "I am very impressed with the ideas that the Catalyst members came up with for solutions to Murfreesboro's increasing traffic. It will continue to take a collaborative effort and many different ideas to come up with meaningful solutions. I am proud Catalyst and the United Way are willing to be part of the solution and they are as committed as I am to help."
2017 Participants include:
- Brad Mankin, Redstone Federal Credit Union
- Jim Robert, Journeys in Community Living
- Phillip Street, Nissan North America
- Ashley Wiseman, Saint Thomas Rutherford
- Matthew Mattingly, Guaranty Trust Company
- T. Matthew Chase, Tandem Financial Partners
- Theodore Glave, General Mills
- La'Endia Buchanan, Junior League of Murfreesboro
- David Coggin, Barnabas Vision
- Brian Walsh, Cunningham Financial Group
- Josh Markham, First United Methodist Church
- Amanda Cromwell, Dempsey, Vantrease & Follis
- TaRita Wright, Adient
- Jolene Radnoti, Murfreesboro City Schools
- Karen Pfluge, Crye-Leike Realtors
- Aubrenie Jones, Rutherford County Health Department
- Kelli Anne Williams, Double Tree by Hilton
- Anna Marie Whitaker, Rich Products
- Joshua Aaron, MTSU
- Jeff Clark, Mahle
- Gernell Jenkins, City of Murfreesboro, Parks and Recreation
The program is sponsored by Redstone Federal Credit Union. Applications for the 2018 Catalyst class will be available in November of 2017.
For additional questions, please contact United Way at (615) 893-7303.
