Dianne Callahan
Development Director
Dianne’s first career was Cummins Filtration; her second career, and the one she just retired from, was the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. She appreciated and was thankful for the two very different careers, but she knew there was a job she would enjoy even more. As a young girl growing up in Monterey and attending Monterey’s First Baptist Church, she felt a calling to serve those in need. Heart of the Cumberland was a stand-out ministry to her because grief is painful, and grief is universal. Dianne was able to witness Heart of the Cumberland’s mission in action when she volunteered to be a co-facilitator for a mom’s support group in the fall of 2020. She knew from that special experience she wanted to continue to serve in this ministry.
Dianne was hired as Development Director in February 2021. Her prior position as the Chamber’s Member Development VP prepared her for this new role. Her goals are to raise awareness of Heart of the Cumberland and to recruit more volunteers. More volunteers enable us to serve more children, teens, and adults through their grief journeys.
The most special things in Dianne’s life are her relationships. First, of course, is God and then family and friends. A great day for Dianne is to be with her loved ones no matter what the activity – just being together is a blessing. She loves to work and considers co-workers her family, too. She believes God certainly saved the best for last when she was blessed with the opportunity to be part of this ministry.
Molly Cornwell
BEST Groups Program Manager
Molly enjoys creative education environments and opportunities to encourage student success. Career highlights include outdoor adventures with Eckerd Connects, interviewing rural families in research with the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, and teaching multi-age classrooms in a small private school.
She now serves as the Program Manager for the Putnam County school-based peer support groups and for Journey of Hope TN BEST Groups. Molly is excited to promote BEST Groups as a dynamic resource to help students gain coping skills to succeed in and out of the classroom. Away from the office, Molly enjoys good books, clever puns, and discovering new board games with her three college kids and bonus middle-schooler.
Katie Kinnaird
Program Assistant
Katie joined a grief support group when she lost her brother, her best friend, in 2019. Her positive experience with the staff, volunteers and members of her group created a desire in her to be more involved with Heart of the Cumberland. Katie decided to call the Executive Director to let her know that she was interested in being part of this ministry.
All of Katie’s prior jobs included the two things she loves the most: using her organizational skills and helping others. Heart of the Cumberland needed a program assistant and Katie’s skill set was perfect for the position. She was hired in August 2020.
Katie is always happy to serve the organization so the organization can serve others. Katie’s faith, love of God, and love of others are demonstrated in her kind and loving ways to all people she encounters.
Gardening, crafts, and the rare art of quilting are some of Katie’s favorite hobbies. Currently, Katie is planning and organizing an exciting event for the spring of this year, her upcoming wedding to fiancé Cole Lauerman.
Kim Mendoza
Community Groups Program Manager
Through the prompting of a precious Heart of the Cumberland volunteer (Carol Rashke), Kim was invited to initially join the Heart of the Cumberland team in June of 2012. She worked as Administrative Assistant and then as Donor Relations Manager until December 2014. While recovering from bilateral knee replacement surgery, it became apparent that Kim’s mother was beginning to need more assistance. Along with her family, they decided to become the full-time caregivers her mother needed due to a vascular dementia diagnosis. Several months after heaven became her mother’s home, the door opened for Kim to return to Heart of the Cumberland in January 2019.
Kim and her husband, Lito, have two daughters and a beloved Yorkshire Terrier. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her girls, and driving her husband around Center Hill Lake while he lake-surfs. Kim is a graduate of TTU, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
It is her honor to serve the people of the Upper Cumberland region as Program Manager for Heart of the Cumberland’s Christ-centered community groups.
Tammy Wilson
Executive Director
Tammy originally became involved with Heart of the Cumberland in 2012 by serving as treasurer on the Board of Directors. Her years of service with Heart of the Cumberland, along with her financial and non-profit experience led her to the position of Executive Director in 2019.
Tammy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1987 and is a self-employed CPA focusing in the area of non-profit organizations. She and her husband, Chris, have a daughter, Jessie.
Heart of The Cumberland Board Members
Front Row (LR): Nancy Flatt (Secretary), Sissy Vick (Treasurer), Jeanette Crawford
Back Row (LR): Tommy Hann (Vice Chairman), Jimmy Davis, D.K. Hall, Tony Michael, John Rust (Chairman)
Journey of hope tn advisory committee
Journey of Hope TN Advisory Committee - left to right, Nancy Flatt, Tammy Wilson, Monica Walker, Molly Cornwell, Paula King, Mae Fowler, Sissy Vick.
