Team & Board

Kay Kretsch

In July 2020, Kay Kretsch joined Dismas as the CEO of Dismas Inc. As a board member since 2015, Kay lead the five-year Dismas expansion project from start to finish and during that period also served two years as the Board Chair, bringing her hands-on experience to the position. Kay recently left her corporate position with the Highmark Health Plan to take on this leadership assignment.

Kay is a multifaceted business leader and change agent with diverse experience in operations, program management, contract management, supply chain management, quality management, strategic planning, business development, and organizational design. She has a track record of consistent results in building performance-driven organization for Global 2000 and Fortune 500 companies. Her broad background includes healthcare, wireless technologies, test publishing, commercial and military avionics, semiconductors, defense, and emerging technology arenas. Her leadership style relies on bringing cross-functional operations into close alignment to achieve unprecedented performance results.

Originally from Wisconsin, she obtained her BA from the University of Wisconsin and her MBA from the University of St. Thomas in St Paul, MN, is a registered Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a certified Balanced Scorecard Professional, and Key Performance Indicator Professional. Using this set of skills, she has helped organizations develop the performance measurement systems necessary to manage their strategic and tactical plans. She has over 30 years of board service, including serving as a volunteer administrator for the Honeywell Foundation, and has received numerous community awards.

Phillip Hill

Phillip joined Dismas House in April 2020 as Vice President of Operations. He brings to the role a rich and varied background in operations management, project management, staff development, customer service, and interior design.

Originally from Athens, Tennessee, Phillip has called Nashville home since 1991. He and his husband enjoy traveling the globe, caring for a multitude of dogs and Crossfit.

Throughout his personal and professional life, Phillip has aimed to be of service to others and lead by that example. He has seen the benefits of such programs as Dismas House through Project Return, Catholic Charities job training programs, and Thistle Farms.

Kim Demetrio

In June 2022, Kim Demetrio joined Dismas House as the Vice President of Programs. She is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (2007) and the University of Tennessee with a Master of Science in Social Work (2016).

Early in her career, Kim worked with children in state foster care as it related to permanency including family reunification, relative placement, independent living skills, and adoption. In 2010, Kim relocated from Auburn, Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee. She moved to Nashville shortly after the May 2010 Floods, where she began working closely with flood survivors, providing support and guidance for case managers, and working with community partners and committees throughout Middle Tennessee. In 2014, Kim joined Catholic Charities in the Family Empowerment Program. She served in various roles and concluded her tenure in the role of Program Manager where she and her team provided services to families currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as well as a subprogram for families experiencing poverty. Her work within this program had two generational model with a focus on family, housing, career, social capital, education, and counseling.

Kim comes to Dismas House with over 15 years of professional experience as a Social Worker. She is committed to working with those who have been justice impacted to ensure that they have the needed support and tools to overcome barriers to employment, housing, and education in addition to promoting healing, self-sufficiency, and overall stability.

Jessica Guzman

Jessica Guzman was promoted to Vice President of Development for Dismas House in the summer of 2022. She has extensive non-profit administrative experience spanning 17 years in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Prior to her role at Dismas House as the Development Manager, she served as deputy administrator at the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, directly supporting the CEO, and implementing process improvements. Previously, she served as executive administrative assistant at the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina where she improved donor relations and fundraising efforts. Prior to that, she served as an executive administrative assistant at the Buncombe County Health Center and PassAlong Networks. Jessica started her career as a senior sales and service assistant at Microsoft in Franklin, Tenn. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Aside from formal positions, Jessica has served as a Young Leaders Council Intern on the Friends of Warner Parks Board and continues to volunteer for the non-profit. Additionally, she has completed the Allstate Foundation’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a founding member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Gamma Gamma Chapter.

Aside from her role at Dismas House, Jessica’s other most important job is being the best dog mom to her Catahoula, Stella. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, working out, and reading.

Coran Brown

Coran joined the staff of Dismas House in the summer of 2022 as a Resident Support Specialist. She builds rapport with program participants in order to promote positive re-entry, as well as assist in the coordination and facilitation of programming, transportation, community dinners, and more.

She previously served as the North Nashville Community Garden Programs Coordinator for the Nashville Food Project and is working to complete her Masters of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Tennessee State University.

Caroline Clipper, LPC-MHSP

Caroline joined Dismas House in September 2021 as the Clinical Director.

She graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Northwestern University in 2014. In May 2018, Caroline became a Tennessee licensed professional counselor, mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP). Since graduation, Caroline’s clinical approach has been shaped by working with individuals and families suffering from substance abuse.

Most recently, she spent four years at The Next Door, working in the residential program as a therapist and later as part of the clinical leadership team, helping women with their recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. She brings this experience to Dismas House with the goal of supporting the emotional wellbeing and recovery effort of each resident as they navigate re-entry into post-incarceration life.

Caroline is passionate about recovery as a way of living after any challenging season in one’s life. She is excited to be part of a holistic team that not only focuses on meeting external needs, but emphasizes the importance of supporting the internal, emotional existence of each resident as they adjust to life.

Caroline will also lead the clinical graduate internship program at Dismas House.

Audra Davis

In October 2020, Audra joined Dismas House as a Case Manager and became Senior Case Manager in August 2021. She was promoted to Supervisor of Resident Services in March 2022.

Originally from Kentucky, Audra moved to Nashville in 2013 to pursue her bachelor’s degree. Studying Social Entrepreneurship led her to measure success through social impact and sustainable change. She began her career working in admissions and recruitment in higher education and local charter schools. She made the transition into reentry services at Project Return, working for their transitional employment social enterprise. There, Audra found her passion of working in reentry, advocating for and empowering our community. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Social Work with plans to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and continue her passion of working with returning citizens.

In her free time, Audra loves spending time with her foster kittens, traveling, and practicing self-care.

Kleopatra Gaiter

Kleopatra Gaiter currently serves as the Admissions Manager at Dismas House. She brings to the position 7 years experience working with underserved and at risk populations.

Born in Knoxville, Kleopatra is a true Tennessean in the sense she has lived all over the state of Tennessee. She graduated with her Bachelors in Social Work from University of Tennessee, Martin. Post graduation, Kleopatra served as a Case Manager for the TN Department of Children Services. Following that role, she served as the Social Services Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Nashville, TN. During this time, Kleopatra decided she wanted to take her education further and made plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work at the University of Tennessee. During the program, she collaborated with local grassroots organizations on advocacy campaigns geared towards local bills and policies that affect incarcerated individuals. She also researched and gained extensive knowledge on ACES(adverse childhood experiences) and worked to develop trauma-informed care approaches for local agencies and organizations. She graduated with her Master's in Social Work in May of 2018.

Aside from formal positions, Kleopatra’s volunteer activities include serving in leadership positions for local programs aimed at supporting and mentoring minority youth including Nashville’s Daughters and Bullapalooza, a local music festival with proceeds going to youth aging out of foster care. Kleopatra also serves as a doula, with a focus on providing services to low-income and women of color.

Aside from her role at Dismas House Kleopatra’s other most important job is being the best Auntie to her niece and nephew, Lacey and Lyndon. She enjoys spending time with them, traveling, reading, and baking.

Amber Jordan

Amber Jordan joined Dismas House as the Development and Special Events Manager in the summer of 2022.

Born and raised in Knoxville, TN. Amber moved to Murfreesboro to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at MTSU. Her nonprofit career includes working with young adults with the AMEND Together program at the YWCA Nashville & Middle TN. During her time with the AMEND Together program, she assisted in launching AMEND nationally and implementing the program within YWCAs in 7 states.

In her spare time, Amber enjoys dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family and her puppy Luna!

Mike Krone

In the summer of 2021, Mike Krone joined Dismas House as the Facilities Coordinator.

Krone brings a long career in overseeing facilities of various sizes since 2004 in his native California. He also has experience in volunteer coordination and management, technical and IT support, and is well versed in day-to-day operations, upkeep, and maintenance of large buildings.

His extensive volunteer experience includes work with Pet Orphans of Southern California, serving as a videographer for several churches as well as serving as an IT volunteer for the Moorpark and Simi Valley CPC.

Krone earned a Bachelor’s in Radio/Television and Film from the California State University of Long Beach in 1993. He also earned Eagle Scout honors from the Boy Scouts of America.

Mike and his family live in Gallatin.

Dwanna Lowery

Originally from New Orleans, Dwanna has a strong sense of community and resilience and a deep desire to help others set and reach life goals by identifying barriers and solutions.

Lowery earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration, from the University of New Orleans in 2017.

Her volunteer experience includes visiting with men housed in Angola Prison, the Louisiana State Penitentiary, as well as providing free haircuts for individuals at various homeless shelters in the New Orleans area. She also has previous experience working with The Ronald McDonald House of South Louisiana, supporting families while their children received medical care.

In 2019, Dwanna moved to Middle Tennessee and began her career as a Correctional Counselor with the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC). There she served as a pod counselor and a CBIP (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program) class facilitator for men serving time at Turney Center Industrial Complex.

In August of 2021, Dwanna joined the Dismas House team as a Case Manager. She is extremely excited to continue supporting and empowering men who have served time in prison. She has a strong belief in one’s ability to make significant, lasting changes through educational, mental health, and job skills training opportunities.

Dwanna enjoys spending time with her family, listening to live music, trying out new restaurants, and practicing mindful meditation.

Natalie McMillan

John Rutherford

John Rutherford joined the Dismas House staff as Project Manager in the Summer of 2022.

He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. He spent a decade as a Defense contractor, primarily in the field of employment support, connecting Guard Members, spouses, and veterans with civilian employment opportunities and teaching employment workshops to Service Members transitioning to civilian life. He recently transitioned in his career to the Nashville nonprofit community where he is currently the Project Manager at Dismas House, which provides the formerly incarcerated with holistic reentry programming.

John also serves on Metro Council, representing District 31 in Southeast Nashville. He was elected in 2019 on a platform of controlled strategic development, supporting our richly diverse international community and strengthening support for our local veterans. He is co-chair and a founding member of the inaugural Metro Council Veterans Caucus. He also serves on the Rules, Confirmations and Public Elections Committee, the Human Services Committee and is Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee. On Council he has championed expanding the Davidson County Veterans Service Office, giving them greater ability to serve our local veteran community.

John grew up in rural West Tennessee and has lived in Nashville most of his adult life. His 10-year-old son, Daniel, is a rising 5th grader at Donelson Christian Academy.

M.C. Sammons

MC Sammons joined the Dismas House team in August of 2021 as the Community Engagement Coordinator. Since then, she has transitioned into the role of IPS Employment Specialist, where she supports residents with their employment goals.

Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, MC moved to Nashville in 2011 to attend Belmont University where she studied Business Administration. Upon graduating, she moved to Los Angeles, California and spend several years working in the music industry.

MC and her husband moved back to Nashville in 2019, and she made the transition to nonprofit work. She served an AmeriCorps member with Hands on Nashville from 2020-2021, and then immediately went to pursue her work with reentry at Dismas House.

MC enjoys spending time with her husband Josh, her two dogs Winston and Ernie, and the most recent addition to their family, her cat Frank.

Sage Schaaf

Sage works directly with the residents as a Support Specialist. She joined Dismas House in the spring of 2022. Sage builds rapport with program participants in order to promote positive re-entry, as well as assist in the coordination and facilitation of programming, transportation, community dinners, and more.

Jordan Slaughter

Jarrell Summers

Jarrell joined Dismas House in the fall of 2021. He is a case manager with almost 20 years of experience with the Department of Children's Services, including serving as a facilitator/mediator and family support supervisor.

Deasree Williams

Deasree Williams joined Dismas House as a case manager in August 2022.

Prior to her role at Dismas House, she served in a variety of positions with Catholic Charities of Tennessee for more than 20 years. Williams worked primarily with women and couples exploring the options of parenting or adoption upon learning of an unplanned pregnancy and with couples and individuals that are seeking to adoption domestically. She was also a trainer with the Infant Adoption Training Initiative for six years.

Prior to her time with Catholic Charities, she was as a caseworker with the Department of Children’s Services in Montgomery County and a Forensic Interviewer with the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Center.

Williams earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Middle Tennessee State University.

Deasree has two daughters, Kiya and Kahlia, and is the Gigi to one granddaughter, Rhaya. She enjoys listening to music, traveling, eating tacos, watching movies, and attending community events.

Grayce Gadson

Grayce Gadson joined the Dismas House as the IPS Supervisor in the Fall of 2022. Previously, she worked at Parker Center as an IPS Employment Specialist & Supervisor. She served as a Cognitive Behavior Instructor & Client Services Coordinator in the TN Department of Corrections prison and jails starting in 2016 with Project Return. As Project Coordinator, she initiated a program under a grant from the Justice Department awarded to the Gilead House in Kokomo, Indiana, called Mentoring Incarcerated Parents under the Second Change Act of 2007. As requested by Indiana DOC she taught a particular religion, ECKANKAR to interested incarcerated individuals which included teaching mindfulness and visualization techniques as precursors to behavioral change.

As a Discrimination Consultant at the NAACP in Beverly Hills Hollywood she spearheaded two Congressional Hearings on discrimination issues in the aerospace and film industries. Grayce authored two publications: The New Discrimination, a white paper on discrimination presented under Chairman the Honorable Augustus Hawkins for a Congressional Sub-Committee, and the African Film Resource Industry Collective, a directory of over 750 professional film and sound crew for the motion pictures and television industries. Production credits include "Story of a People: Expressions in Black" which ran for 10 Black History Month seasons on NBC.

Gadson served on the boards of Black Lives Matter Nashville, Tennessee Alliance for Progress (chair), Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, and Kokomo Indiana NAACP.

Autumn Maxwell-Pruitt

Autumn joined Dismas House in October 2022 as a Case Manager.

She was previously working at Atlanta Community Food Bank as a Benefit Coordinator. Autumn graduated from Eckerd College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development with a Global Focus. After graduation, she spent a year working with a sustainable development NGO in Nicaragua as the Volunteer Coordinator. Since then, she has worked with a various community-based nonprofits in Nashville and Atlanta.

Autumn has always had an interest in working in the reentry field, and she is thankful for the opportunity to bring her passion to Dismas House.

Emmeline Stuart

Emmeline joined the team at Dismas House as an IPS Employment Specialist in November of 2022. Prior to her starting at Dismas, she comes from Project Return bringing with her two years of experience in a variety of roles in reentry services, ranging from program services to operations. She is known for cultivating strong relationships with individuals, utilizing motivational interviewing to help them identify their employment-focused needs and creating ways for them to meet their goals.

Her passion for this work stems from her time at Lipscomb University – where she earned her Bachelor’s in Theology and Ministry – in which she had the opportunity to take classes out at Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC). It was that experience, and the women there, that fuel her desire to work in reentry in any capacity possible.

Hailing from a small town in North Georgia, she values a deep sense of belonging and believes everyone deserves and has a place in the community. She spends her free time with her cat Domino, thrifting, trying out new restaurants, or attending the shows of her friends’ bands.