Patricia Heaton

World Vision's Celebrity Ambassador Network

Patricia Heaton is an Emmy®-winning actor, producer, and author, as well as a committed philanthropist and founding member of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network.

amanda donnelly

TechCXO

Amanda Donnelly is a seasoned marketing expert who joined TechCXO after serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a fast-growing humanitarian aid organization. With senior marketing roles at Huffington Post, Nissan North America, and Eventbrite, she has a proven track record of driving success in diverse industries. In 2023, Amanda joined the Thistle Farms Shared Trade Collaboration Program, where she shares her passion for marketing for social good. Her dedication to leveraging marketing strategies for positive impact continues to inspire others and drive meaningful change.

Amanda Hightower

Impact Rising

Amanda Hightower is the Co-Founder of Impact Rising, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations and funders achieve greater social and financial impact. With over 16 years of experience in leading teams and leveraging data to enhance services for vulnerable populations, particularly survivors of sex trafficking, Amanda has made significant contributions to the field. Her expertise lies in outcome measurement and program improvement, driving meaningful change. Living just outside of Seattle with her husband, Russell, and their little dog, Shiver, Amanda remains committed to making a difference and supporting others in their journey toward impactful social change.

Poonam Abbi

Sustainable Threads

Over the last three decades, Poonam Abbi has passionately worked on social change and rural development in India. Her diverse experience spans running both non-profit and for-profit entities. As the Executive Director of Friends of Seva Mandir, she leads efforts to support one of the world's most innovative and effective organizations in resource management, livelihoods improvement, and village-level governance. As the co-founder of Sustainable Threads, Poonam collaborates with artisan groups in India to co-design a collection of handmade, fair trade textile products for international markets. These collections represent traditional art techniques, a modern aesthetic, and the values they bring. 

Shana Berkeley

Corner to Corner

Shana Berkeley is the Executive Director of Corner to Corner, a faith-based nonprofit co-creating positive economic change here in Nashville, by providing historically underestimated neighbors with the knowledge, tools, and networks they need to thrive on their own terms. When she's not showcasing her outfit-of-the-day and inspiring other corporate women to express themselves through fashion (as owner of The Fashion Chase), Shana is completely invested in forging new relationships, increasing the reach of our programs (The Academy), and bringing her expertise to our leadership here at Corner to Corner.

Shelia Simpkins-McClain

Thistle Farms

Shelia Simpkins-McClain is a leader and advocate who has transformed her past experiences as a survivor of human trafficking into a powerful mission to help others. As the Director of Residential Services at Thistle Farms, she oversees programs that aid women in recovering from trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. With an MSW from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, Shelia also serves on the Human Trafficking Advisory Council for Tennessee and as a survivor advocate for Grace Empowered. Her personal journey fuels her dedication to leading and supporting women in similar situations, making a lasting impact in their lives.

Veelie Alba

Zuahaza

A believer in leveraging business as a force for good, Veelie Alba is an international consultant, marketing mentor, and co-founder of Zuahaza. She brings forth her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for culture, travel, business, and social impact to support innovative organizations across different sectors. As an idealist, visionary, and daughter of immigrants, Veelie is drawn to work that advances communities and values sustainability toward a healthier and better world. She loves dogs, sunshine, and spicy foods.

Becky Russell

Becky Russell Counseling, LLC.

Becky Russell spent over nine years at Vanderbilt University, where she played a key role in developing and implementing an intensive social skills and behavior modification program that is now making a difference in elementary schools. Before her research role at Vanderbilt, Becky was a Clinical Therapist at the Vanderbilt Adult Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, where she helped countless individuals on their path to recovery. Becky's passion for creating positive change through innovative programs continues to drive her work and inspire those around her.

Marlie Hyde

Empower Her Network

Marlie Hyde is a licensed master social worker, certified crisis intervention instructor, and certified cognitive-behavioral therapist. She serves as the Southeast Advocate with Empower Her Network in Birmingham, Alabama. With 10 years of dedicated service to women who have been trafficked and sexually exploited, Marlie has developed multidisciplinary teams and launched transformative programs. She has also established trauma-informed residential facilities and forged impactful partnerships. Her collaborative, survivor-centered approach fuels her mission to create, operate, and inspire life-changing residential programs.

Ashby Rushing

Better Decisions

Ashby Rushing began volunteering with Better Decisions in 2018, quickly becoming a mentor and teacher at Thistle Farms and the Tennessee Prison for Women. Growing up in Virginia, she attended William and Mary and earned her master's and doctoral degrees at George Washington University. Before moving to Nashville, Ashby taught in public and independent schools as well as universities, driven by a passion for education and community service. In 2022, Ashby became the Executive Director for Better Decisions. Her commitment to supporting others has been life-changing, and she is deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from those she serves every day.

Marcy Bartula

Different Day Foundation

Marcy Bartula is the Founder of Different Day Foundation and has 16 years of experience in social work, holding a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California. In 2015, she noticed a rise in human trafficking cases in Brazos Valley, Texas, and saw a severe lack of services for survivors. This ignited her passion for supporting survivors and led to the creation of a residential community aimed at healing, housing, and employing them. After attending a Thistle conference in 2022, the foundation found its direction and, through hard work, is now open and recognized by the Texas Governor's Office Trafficking Unit for filling a critical gap in the community. Marcy is excited to be part of this impactful journey.

Joy Reyes

New Hope Girls

Joy Reyes is the Founder & Executive Director of New Hope Girls, an organization that rescues girls and empowers women in the Dominican Republic. Nearly 20 years ago, she moved to the Dominican Republic with her family for a one-year service mission, which has transformed into a 20-year journey focused on rescue, refuge, and identity restoration. New Hope Girls provides residential care, trauma-informed therapy, art therapy, community intervention, and job creation for women. Joy leads this impactful work, believing that faithfulness in small actions leads to significant change. She and her husband Vidal continue to live and serve in the Dominican Republic, dedicated to bringing light into dark places.

Heather Meshell

Capitol Hill Advocacy LLC

Heather Meshell is an attorney and lobbyist with over a decade of experience in public policy and government relations at both local and state levels. She focuses on victim advocacy, professions of healing arts, and reproductive justice, collaborating with lawmakers, nonprofits, law enforcement, judges, and advocates. Notably, she helped pass legislation ending the shackling of pregnant individuals during incarceration and labor in Tennessee. Heather's advocacy is grounded in trauma-informed and harm-reduction frameworks, driven by her work in victim advocacy and awareness of the sexual assault-to-prison pipeline. She led a successful clemency campaign for child rape survivor Mindy Dodd in 2021 and is the founder of Capitol Hill Advocacy LLC, representing nonprofits and associations at the state capitol.

Holli Banks-Anglin

Thistle Farms

Long-time Thistle Farmer, Holli has worked with the organization since 2001. Starting off as a volunteer, over the years since she has managed various aspects of our operation including Finance, HR, the Shop, and our social enterprise. In her current role overseeing Thistle Farms' Job Readiness Program, Holli and her team work with residents to support their transition into the workplace with more confidence and the skills needed to begin working at one of our social enterprises. Outside of work, Holli enjoys spending time with her family and beloved Vizsla pup. Her hobbies include golf and yoga; and fits right into Music City as a former professional harpist.

Mary Beth Heaney-Garate

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Mary Beth Heaney-Gárate (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working in private, non-profit, and government sectors. She is currently in private practice and dually licensed in Tennessee and Iowa. She has background in substance use and addiction recovery, mental health, childhood trauma, and sexual assault. Mary Beth partners with Thistle Farms in Nashville to provide weekly therapy to women in their residential program. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Social Work degrees from the University of Tennessee.

Deanna Lynn

Refuge for Women

After ten years in the commercial sex industry, Deanna sought healing from the Refuge for Women, a residential program for exploited and trafficked women. Since graduating in 2012, she earned a Master’s Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and authored two books: "Purchased: Leaving The Sex Trade" and "Integrated: Living Beyond the Sex Trade." Deanna is now Kentucky's Executive Director at the Refuge for Women, a nationwide nonprofit empowering sexually exploited women through faith-based, residential healing programs. Celebrating 17 years clean and sober, she is also a global consultant and speaker on anti-trafficking, a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, and weekend staff at her church’s nursery. Deanna plans to begin her Doctorate in Fall 2025 and enjoys spoiling her twin girls and dog, Buddy, with her husband, Matt.

Judy Yandell

The Remnant Project

I am a long time volunteer with Thistle Farms. I have been volunteering with The Remnant Project for the last 18 months and am grateful for the opportunity to work with Robyn Colbert McCraw creating the Remnant Project Quilts.

Carmen Elkins

Thistle Farms

Carmen joined the Thistle Farms Community in May 2019 as the Assistant Residential Manager and has since been promoted to Residential Manager in 2020 and Assistant Program Director in 2021. Prior to Thistle Farms, she was a case manager at the Mental Health Cooperative, serving individuals and families with severe mental health and substance abuse issues. Carmen is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP), holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in Education from The University of Tennessee at Martin. In her personal time, she enjoys listening to Kendrick Lamar and watching Law & Order: SVU with her partner.

Robyn Colbert

Remnant Project

Robyn Colbert, a 2023 Thistle Farms graduate, now serves as the Remnant Project Coordinator. In this role, she works on the Remnant Project Quilts, contributing to a meaningful initiative that supports women through creativity and community. Robyn is honored to be part of Thistle Farms, helping to further its mission of healing and hope.