East Nashville Hope Exchange Board of Directors 
as of March 2021

Annie Youngblood (President): Annie Youngblood serves as Senior Director of the Coalition for Better Health, a Nashville-based nonprofit that is focused on improving the health of Tennesseans. She was formerly principal of The Lede, a research and marketing consulting firm, and spent 10 years as a journalist covering local, state, and national news. She resides in Nashville with her wife, Megan, daughter, Roux, and pup, Zola.

Sonia Jennings Boss (Secretary): Sonia Jennings Boss is a founding member of Boss Fisher, PLLC; a boutique family law firm located in Mt. Juliet, TN. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology, a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction at the elementary school level, and a law degree from the Nashville School of Law. Outside of practicing law and volunteering, Sonia enjoys pretty much all sports, live music, and hanging out with her husband (Brian) and dog (Gunther).

Alex Borowski (Treasurer): Alex Borowski is a Career Coach at Vanderbilt's Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program, working with MBA students interested in careers in marketing and healthcare. He has his MBA from Vanderbilt University and currently lives in East Nashville.

Emily Joy Allison: Emily Joy Allison is a published author, activist and yoga teacher who has been involved with East Nashville Hope Exchange since she began attending St. Ann's Episcopal Church in 2015. She holds a BA in Theology, and is graduating with a Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2022. Her first book was published with Broadleaf Books in March 2021. Emily has lived in Nashville for eight years and resides on the East Side with her wife Caitlin, their two dogs Harley and Oscar, and their cat Debbie. She works in political communications and has over ten years of experience in various non-profit organizations.

Caitlin Dillon: Caitlin Dillon is a project manager at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. She manages civil engineering projects to improve and expand BNA’s airfield. Caitlin is an alumnus of Young Leaders Council. She lives with her husband and three children in Nashville.

Cindy Distefano: Cindy is a dedicated Managed Care Professional skilled in the areas of contracting, provider relations, payment policy, training, payment integrity, strategic planning, payment innovation, practice transformation, cost saving strategies, payment reform methodologies, organizational operational readiness, administrative simplification and consumer education and engagement. Cindy has a rich and diverse background in healthcare to include managed care, state government, physician practices and health care systems. 

Lauren McKenzie: Lauren McKenzie is an early childhood educator in East Nashville, who is passionate about ensuring all students have access to high-quality early learning experiences. She received her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies and is pursuing her M. Ed. in Instructional Practice. Lauren is a strong advocate of students and families having previously served as the governor appointed student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board prior to her transition to Nashville. 

Donique Nobles Muhammad: Donique is the Senior Vice President of Outreach at Waterford.org. She has 15+ years of experience in education and non-profit education work. Donique is an alumna of the University of Mississippi where she earned a degree in physics and a master’s degree from the University of Memphis. She is married to a Naval aviator and currently lives in Washington, DC with him, their son, daughter, and dog.

Cole D. Rogers, Esq.: Cole D. Rogers is an Administrative Judge for the State of Tennessee where he hears cases on Medicare benefits. He is active in the Tennessee Bar Association. He lives with his wife and two dogs in East Nashville.

Nikki Walker: Nikki Walker is a Talent Acquisition Coordinator for Philips GBS. In her role she is responsible in assisting with recruiting efforts for potential hires within the North American region. She obtained her B.S. in Communications from Tennessee State University and her M.Ed in Organizational Leadership & Communications from Belmont University. Her past roles have been in education having worked for MNPS and various non-profits such as PENCIL, YMCA, NAZA, and East Nashville Hope Exchange. She currently resides in Rutherford County with her husband Allen and new baby, Ava Joi.

Kira Austin-Young: The Reverend Kira Austin-Young is the priest-in-charge of St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Nashville, where she has served since 2018. She has lived in Nashville since 2008 and has degrees from Vanderbilt Divinity School and Rice University. She is a regular contributor to publications from the United Methodist Publishing House as well as serving as a contract chaplain for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Dr. Bill Richie: Dr. Bill Richie is a Fellowship Trained Forensic and Board Certified, General Psychiatrist with extensive experience in Adult, Adolescent and Geriatric pre-trial forensic evaluation and treatment. He has extensive administrative, clinical and teaching experience in private practice, state, and federal institutions. He has an abiding interest in the acquisition, and, dissemination of knowledge through early childhood, adolescent and adult development programs. He has volunteer experience with the Smithsonian Institution, St. Ann's Episcopal Church. The bottom like is that he is the loving devoted father to a whip smart wily 11-year-old wunderkind.

Dr. LaToya Anderson: Dr. LaToya R. Anderson is a Literacy Coach at Hunters Lane High School and has worked as an adjunct assistant professor at Vanderbilt University. She began her work with ENHE as a teacher in the 2013 summer program and had the joy of continuing various roles until she left to finish her doctorate work in 2018. After 10 years of experience teaching in pre-k, elementary, and middle schools, Dr. Anderson has focused her efforts on professional learning for teachers. She enjoys gardening, reading, and cooking with her sons, Jalen and Zion.

Sheneirka Edwards: Sheneirka Edwards is a tenured risk management professional. She helps organizations by proactively identifying and mitigating risks that have the potential to derail achievement of business goals and objectives. She has worked in the accounting, healthcare and banking industries. She currently works for a major technology company. Sheneirka attended the University of Mississippi where she earned a bachelor and a master’s degree in accounting. She is a native of Mississippi and has lived in Nashville since 2006.

Katie Liggett has been a Nashville-based educator for 22 years. She is currently a second-grade teacher at Ida B Wells Elementary. She has been part of East Nashville Hope Exchange since 2008. Katie lives with her husband Eric and their 10-year-old son, Ian in East Nashville.  

Shonia Baugh is a Financial Controller for The National Museum of African American Music. In her role she is responsible for assisting with controlling all financial operations for the National Museum of African American Music. She obtained her B.S. in Accounting from University of Memphis and her M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from University of Phoenix. Her past roles have been in Finance having worked for Hankook Tire America, Bridgestone America and various non-profits including St. Jude Hospital, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She currently resides in Davidson County with her 2 sons Xavier & Halo.