MEMPHIS PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene.
Memphis-based e-commerce company Titan Brands recently added Colleen Goodspeed to its team as the director of People Operations and Organizational Development. She has numerous years of experience in human resources, compliance and risk management, and contract management.
The Chris Hope Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial and social support services to families of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses, announced Dr. Sherrie Hopper as the newest addition to its board of directors. Hopper brings several years of civic advocacy experience to the board and has coordinated fundraisers at First Assembly Christian School, where she is the chair of the social studies department.
Last month, Hateisha Williamson joined Memphis River Parks Partnership as its director of Field Operations. For more than 18 years, she has served the Memphis Grizzlies and Fedexforum on the business side, being involved with ticket sales and service, staff training and development, crowd management, parking operations and emergency response. The past five years she was the director of guest services.
New Ballet Ensemble & School recently hired a new development and communications manager with the addition of Shelby Davis. In her new role with the Memphis-based dance organization, she’ll assist in streamlining organizational processes, fostering donor relations, researching grant opportunities and managing New Ballet’s special events and giving campaigns. She previously was chief administrative officer at Positively Memphis.
Annette Blunck has been hired as operations manager for Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul, the nonprofit that operates the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum and administers the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Previously, she was office manager for the Memphis in May International Festival. She succeeds Pam Parham who retired after 16 years of service.
Artsmemphis has announced new leadership and appointees to the board of directors as well as a new chief financial officer. Kathy Gale Uhlhorn, who has volunteered with Artsmemphis since 2006, is now chair of the board of directors, and Dr. Russ Wigginton, president and chief executive officer of the National Civil Rights Museum, is serving as vice chair. Kera Wright, senior vice president of Finance for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is the newest member of the board of directors. Julie Wiklund is Artsmemphis’ new chief financial officer. She is a designated CPA and CFA with a decades-long career at FHN (formerly FTN) Capital Markets.
For a second consecutive year, Baker Donelson has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status. It is among 118 leading law firms that have completed a rigorous 12-month collaboration with Diversity Lab with built-in measurement, transparency and accountability. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these
opportunities. The Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.
Memphis in May International Festival added Haley Scruggs to the team as marketing manager. Her responsibilities include managing digital content and advertising campaigns, coordinating marketing service providers and assisting in the development and implementation of publicity and promotional campaigns. Scruggs was recently the community relations manager with the Mid-south Food Bank. Additionally, in July 2020, Memphis in May furloughed employees as a cost reduction measure after all four events were canceled because of the pandemic. Several of the furloughed team members have since rejoined the staff: Nobie Mcfarland, finance manager; Jackie Sparks-davila, sponsorship manager; Susan Green, office manager; and Aimee Gundlach, graphic designer.
Noteworthy
Concorde Career Colleges, a national leader in health care education, announced a new Associate of Science in Nursing Practice (ASN) program at its Memphis campus that will provide a pathway for students who want to start as quickly as possible in an in-demand career. The ASN program provides students with hands-on training in hospital, clinical and private practice settings, and the skills required to practice competently and safely as an RN. Classes begin Nov. 8.