Team & Board

Dismas Staff

  • Kay Kretsch

    CEO

  • Phillip Hill

    VP of Operations

    phill@dismas.org

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  • Dr. Julie Doochin

    VP of Programs

    jdoochin@dismas.org

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  • LoLita Toney

    VP of Development

    ltoney@dismas.org

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  • Audra Davis

    Senior Case Manager

    adavis@dismas.org

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  • Dwanna Lowery

    Case Manager

    dlowery@dismas.org

  • Hillary Dzialowski

    Program Coordinator

    hdzialowski@dismas.org

  • Zay Franklin

    Resident Support Specialist

    zfranklin@dismas.org

  • Kleopatra Gaiter

    Admissions Manager

    kgaiter@dismas.org

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  • Sammy Garriott

    Security Specialist

    security@dismas.org

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  • Jessica Guzman

    Development Manager

    jguzman@dismas.org

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  • Mike Krone

    Facilities Coordinator

    mkrone@dismas.org

  • Kenisha Rhone

    Director of Marketing, Communications & Special Events

    krhone@dismas.org

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  • M.C. Sammons

    Community Engagement Coordinator

    msammons@dismas.org

  • Laurel Weiss

    Resident Support Specialist

    lweiss@dismas.org

Kay Kretsch

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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.

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Dr. Julie Doochin

In August 2019, Dr. Julie Doochin joined Dismas, Inc. as Vice President of Programs. She brings to the position an extensive background in non-profit leadership, program development and management, strategic planning and educational leadership, as well as more than eight years of experience working with incarcerated individuals and returning citizens.

Most recently, Dr. Doochin served as Foundation Director for American Paper & Twine Co., where she worked to deepen and expand the corporation’s social impact in the community. Prior to that, Dr. Doochin founded and served as Executive Director for the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI), a non-profit organization whose mission is, in

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LoLita Toney

Smart, authentic and fun – these three words are defining qualities of LoLita Toney, a local business and community leader driven by her passion for working with people and organizations on achieving their maximum potential. LoLita is a recognized philanthropy strategy expert in both the nonprofit and educational spaces. She develops and implements strategies to amplify her clients’ development efforts.

A native Nashvillian, LoLita was raised by strong women who taught her the importance of working hard and embodying a servant’s heart. Throughout her life, she has lived by these standards and continuously fought for others.

LoLita was a 17-year member of the Army Reserve and National Guard

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Audra Davis

In October 2020, Audra joined Dismas House as a case manager. 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.

In her free time, Audra loves spending time with her foster kitten, Iris, watching reality television, and a

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Dwanna Lowery

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Hillary Dzialowski

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Zay Franklin

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Kleopatra Gaiter

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

Born in Knoxville, TN, 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

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Sammy Garriott

Sammy Gairrett is passionate about protecting clients, assets, and establishments to ensure a safe environment. He has five years of experience in the security business, previously serving as a security officer at Acme Feed & Seed on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Acme Feed & Seed is owned by Tom Morales, a family that has a long tradition of support for Dismas House through volunteers and sponsorship. Sammy learned about Dismas House through the Morales family connection. Sammy earned a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State University.

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Jessica Guzman

Jessica Guzman has extensive non-profit administrative experience spanning nearly 16 years in Tennessee and North Carolina. Most recently, 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 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 Bachelo

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Mike Krone

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Kenisha Rhone

A leader in communications and higher education, Kenisha Rhone has 20 years of experience as a sports professional in the areas of strategy, training and public relations. As a trainer and speaker, she has facilitated numerous workshops for students, employees, faculty and staff as a part of organization-wide initiatives in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Most recently, she was named CoSIDA's 2019 Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award winner, becoming the first woman of color to receive the prestigious honor. Kenisha was also named the 2018 National Volunteer of the Year by Play Like a Girl, a national non-profit organization focused on impacting girls ages 9-15 through STEM and spor

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M.C. Sammons

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Laurel Weiss

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Board of Directors

  • Terri Aylward, Retired
  • Lori Bell, EOA Architects PLLC
  • David Briggs, Fifth Third Bank
  • Steve Cook, LFM Capital
  • Paul Connelly, HCA Healthcare
  • Julia Baker, Page/Duke Landscape Architects
  • Ellen Bonner, Callaway Bonner Law
  • Gabrielle Chapman, PhD, Vanderbilt University Peabody College
  • Paul Connelly, HCA Healthcare
  • Mike Dimler, Asurion
  • Rep. Vincent Dixie, Tennessee House of Representatives, 54th District
  • Sarah Fairbank, Owen College of Business Vanderbilt University
  • Bret Fitchpatric, SitusAMC
  • Taylor Fortune, Ernst & Young, LLP
  • Jon Frere, Retired
  • Elde Guerrier, Guerrier Development
  • Rick Haegerty, Exterior Wholesalers
  • David Hart, Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR)
  • Jamal Hipps, MYPER Marketing & Advertising
  • Don Holmes, Consultant
  • Eric Jackson, Element 47
  • Alisha James, James Group Consulting
  • Judge Lynda Jones, General Sessions Court Judge
  • Dr. Carl Keldie, Carl J. Keldie, M.D.
  • Chris Kincade, Janarus – The Good Janitors
  • Brandee Madden, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
  • Dawn Mason, CoreCivic
  • Richard McDermott, Strathdon & Farringdon Heights, LLC
  • Mekesha Montgomery, Frost Brown Todd
  • Julie Perrey, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville
  • Kent Petty, HCA Healthcare
  • Father Anh Tuan Phan, Nashville Diocese
  • Jolene Ramirez, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Burns Rogers, The Counseling Center at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
  • Mike Rustici, Technology Entrepreneur
  • Phil Ryan, Village Commercial Real Estate
  • Thomas Stearns, Retired
  • Chuck Taylor, Tennessee Department of Corrections
  • Klaus Thieme, Luftikus Investments, LLC
  • Patrick Theobald, Asurion
  • DarKenya Waller, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
  • Stacy Widelitz, Nashville Opera Guild
  • Tameka Winston, Tennessee State University
  • David Young, Retired

Advisory Board

  • Bryce Adkins
  • Anthony Allen
  • Chris Blair
  • Ginny Burnett
  • Ron Davis
  • Charlene Donovan
  • Patrick Frogge
  • Michael Gengler
  • Dmetria Gibson
  • Sheriff Daron Hall
  • Lethia Mann
  • Cheryl Mayes
  • Joyce McDaniel
  • John McKennon
  • Chelsea Moubarak
  • Joan Pugh
  • John Rowley
  • Ken Sledge
  • Terry Woodall

Want to Join Us?

Check out our Careers page for current openings and application information.

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