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COLE NAMED METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE ARTS COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

17 December 2009

Nashvillian Has Played Leadership Role In National "Cities of Service" Initiative

NASHVILLE, TN, December 17, 2009-Jennifer Gilligan Cole, presently Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships for the Atlanta-headquartered Points of Light Institute & HandsOn Network, was today named executive director of the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission (Nashville Arts).

Cole, who lives in Nashville, was Chief Executive Officer of Hands On Nashville, Inc. from February 2001 until January 2007 when she became an advisor to the national Points of Light Institute & HandsOn Network. In November of 2007, she was named Vice President of Development & Corporate Affairs and was promoted to her current position, which involved a number of high-profile responsibilities including orchestration of a nationwide Cities of Service partnership with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the United We Serve effort launched by the White House in June.

Cole, selected from a field of more than 400 applicants, will begin work in the new position on January 19 according to Jane Alvis, Nashville Arts Commission Chair, who also steered the eleven-month nationwide search and selection process. “When we began the search process, we said we were intent on finding the right person for the job and we have done just that,” Alvis said. “Jen Cole is a proven senior executive with extensive accomplishments in non-profit leadership, strategy, public communication, high-value partnerships and organizational oversight. She is a passionate supporter of the arts with a focus on innovative results. We couldn’t be happier that she has accepted the position and agreed to serve the people of Nashville.”

In addition to her strategic work with HandsOn Network Cole led her own consulting firm, Community Concepts, where she focused on providing strategic business planning and organizational development for nonprofits and small businesses. She is currently a member of Lockeland Parent Teacher Organization and serves on the board of the Children’s House Montessori School, the Nashville Women’s political Caucus and the Governor's Commission on Civic Education. She is a member of the Metro Action Commission.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredricksburg, VA, Jennifer Cole worked in a variety of service organizations, including America’s Promise–the Alliance for Youth, Earth Force, Inc., Delaware Commission on National & Community Service, and Points of Light Foundation, before moving to Nashville in early 2001.

Mayor Karl Dean praised the Commission’s selection. “Jen Cole is an excellent choice for executive director at Nashville Arts. She is a strong leader with a heart for public service,” the Mayor said. “I appreciate the Commission’s thoughtful deliberation as they’ve conducted this search process. I look forward to what the Arts will be able to accomplish under Jen’s direction.”

Victor Simmons, curator of the Fisk University Galleries and a Nashville Arts Commissioner who served on the search committee, said he believes Cole will bring refreshing energy to her new position. “It is clear to me that Ms. Cole has both the mind and the heart for taking Arts in Nashville to new levels. I was impressed with her poise and maturity in addition to her accomplishments,” Simmons said.

The search committee chaired by Alvis, was composed of Commission Members Laurie Eskind, Meg McFayden, Joseph “Pepe” Presley, Nancy Saturn, and Simmons. The Nashville Arts executive director position was vacated in September 2008 upon the departure of Norree Boyd. Sandra Duncan has served as interim director since that time and she will now return to her previous role as Public Art Program Manager for Nashville Arts, Alvis said.

About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission

The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. The Commission is chaired by Jane Alvis; members include vice chair Joseph “Pepe” Presley; Jean Ann Banker; jeff obafemi carr; Colleen E. Dowd; Laurie Eskind; Kim Fowler; Phila Rawlings Hach; Kimberley LaMarque, Meg MacFadyen; Tonya Matthews; Paula Roberts; Nancy Saturn; Victor Simmons and Cindy Steine.

© 2009 Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
800 2nd Avenue South, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 196300
Nashville TN 37219-6300 		arts@nashville.gov
(615) 862-6720
fax (615) 862-6731