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CNM Staff Transitions

Nonprofit Leadership

March 23, 2022

Like many of our members, CNM continues to experience shifts in staffing. This is an exciting period of growth and change, and CNM is focused on ensuring a smooth transition while confirming our commitment to capacity building and support for the Middle Tennessee nonprofit sector.

We will be saying farewell to a couple of our colleagues during this time as they move on to new opportunities.

Marisa Swystun will leave CNM at the end of March to serve as the Institution and Foundation Market Specialist for AllianceBernstein. “Like many of my sector colleagues, these past three years have been some of the most challenging in my career but also some of the most rewarding. It has been a privilege to serve the community alongside our 800 member organizations and the strong leaders on our staff and board. I am proud to have been part of this team, one that gives so much care, energy, dedication, and grit to our mission each and every day.”

After four years with CNM, Hillary Musice, our Director of Marketing and Communications, will be transitioning out of her role on March 31. Hillary brought an unmatched attention to detail and process to her work. She helped launch a new website, led communications during challenging times, and above all served our mission with grace and heart. We wish her the best in her next chapter. A newly created position of Director of Development and Marketing is currently open to applicants.

We will also be welcoming new colleagues to join the dedicated CNM team.

Kelly Braniff joined CNM in March 2022 as the new Chief Partnerships Officer, assuming Marisa’s roles and responsibilities. Kelly brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience to the team, with a proven track record in management, fundraising, marketing, board development, and strategic planning. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Midwest Nursing Research Society and Foundation, and she is excited to utilize her skills to support a collaborative, mission-driven team at CNM.

Gerald Brown joined our staff in February 2022 as Campaign Director to lead CNM’s upcoming move campaign. Gerald will bring over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to support CNM’s fundraising efforts and move to Silo Studios in The Nations. Gerald has successfully raised more than $100 million in support during his nonprofit career, and his leadership includes roles in local and national nonprofits like Dismas House of Nashville, the Salvation Army, and Boy Scouts of America.

Dany Khieu joined the CNM team in March 2022 as a Professional Fellow to support our community impact and equity initiatives. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education Studies as well as Education Management and Planning, and she brings her experience working in policy development for quality education to support CNM’s ongoing equity work. Dany hopes to develop a program like CNM to take back to her home country of Cambodia in the future. 

Our staff looks forward to continuing to serve our nonprofit members and community partners in the coming months.