Elise The CEO

I’m a transformational executive with 20+ years leading nonprofit operations, program development, and community services, focused on vulnerable populations. I build sustainable programs from inception, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and ensure regulatory compliance across complex funding environments while modeling cultural humility and equity-centered practice.

In my role as Deputy Director/Director of Programming at SisterReach, I oversee all programmatic operations across Tennessee with full accountability for strategic planning, budget management, regulatory compliance, and staff supervision. I directed daily operations with executive authority, improved service delivery and staff retention through performance management systems, and achieved a 30% productivity improvement through process optimization and workflow redesign; I also managed budgets exceeding $500,000 while maintaining 100% funder satisfaction. I designed and launched a Syringe Service Program end-to-end—covering the regulatory framework, staff training, community education, and resource distribution—while developing wraparound supports connecting clients to housing, healthcare, mental health, and social services. I’ve implemented HIV testing and health education reaching 1,000+ community members annually, built volunteer management to increase capacity by 40%, and expanded community programming such as Pearl’s Pantry (food and clothing) feeding thousands each year since 2020. Through grant development and complex compliance reporting across federal, state, and foundation funding, I’ve secured support for expansion and sustainability, and I’ve built strategic partnerships with 20+ local and national organizations to expand reach and credibility.