Our Mission & Vision Statements
Our Vision
Our Vision
Prosperity for all.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Inspiring and equipping families, individuals, and communities to prosper.
Project Leadership & Team
Megan Spurgeon
DirectorMegan Spurgeon
Empower Upper Cumberland, Director
Macey Korth
Marketing and Outreach CoordinatorMacey Korth
Empower Upper Cumberland, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
Jeff Dyer
Operations Development ManagerJeff Dyer
Empower Upper Cumberland, Operations Development Manager
Vicki Smith
Quality Assurance ManagerVicki Smith
Empower Upper Cumberland, Quality Assurance Manager
Lehra Trobaugh
Circles CoordinatorLehra Trobaugh
Empower Upper Cumberland, Circles Coordinator
Tephany Randolph
Navigator ManagerTephany Randolph
Empower Upper Cumberland, Navigator Manager
Balinda Westmoreland
Circles CoordinatorBalinda Westmoreland
Empower Upper Cumberland, Circles Coordinator
Casey Eschette
Navigator ManagerCasey Eschette
Empower Upper Cumberland, Navigator Manager
Cheyenne Nordwick
Collaboration SpecialistCheyenne Nordwick
Empower Upper Cumberland, Collaboration Specialist
Andrew Al-Halawani
Data SpecialistAndrew Al-Halawani
Empower Upper Cumberland, Data Specialist
Evan Smith
Data SpecialistEvan Smith
Empower Upper Cumberland, Data Specialist
Empower Navigators (Localized Point of Contact)
Cortlind McCutcheon
Cannon County Empower NavigatorCortlind McCutcheon
Empower Upper Cumberland, Cannon County Empower Navigator
Cammie West
Clay County Empower NavigatorCammie West
Empower Upper Cumberland, Clay County Empower Navigator
Emy McCloud
Cumberland County Empower NavigatorEmy McCloud
Empower Upper Cumberland, Cumberland County Empower Navigator
Teresa Daniels
Cumberland County Empower NavigatorTeresa Daniels
Empower Upper Cumberland, Cumberland County Empower Navigator
Janna Palmer
DeKalb County Empower NavigatorJanna Palmer
Empower Upper Cumberland, DeKalb County Empower Navigator
Slaton Wheeler
DeKalb County Empower NavigatorSlaton Wheeler
Empower Upper Cumberland, DeKalb County Empower Navigator
Regina Stowers
Fentress County Empower NavigatorRegina Stowers
Empower Upper Cumberland, Fentress County Empower Navigator
Jeri Wilborn
Jackson County Empower NavigatorJeri Wilborn
Empower Upper Cumberland, Jackson County Empower Navigator
Cynthia Holland
Macon County Empower NavigatorCynthia Holland
Empower Upper Cumberland, Macon County Empower Navigator
Marissa Alsteens
Macon County Empower NavigatorMarissa Alsteens
Empower Upper Cumberland, Macon County Empower Navigator
Jodi Evans
Overton County Empower NavigatorJodi Evans
Empower Upper Cumberland, Overton County Empower Navigator
Mary Michael
Overton County Empower NavigatorMary Michael
Empower Upper Cumberland, Overton County Empower Navigator
Tara Shepherd
Pickett County Empower NavigatorTara Shepherd
Empower Upper Cumberland, PIckett County Empower Navigator
Luke Eldridge
Putnam County Empower NavigatorLuke Eldridge
Empower Upper Cumberland, Putnam County Empower Navigator
Paige Harris
Putnam County Empower NavigatorPage Harris
Empower Upper Cumberland, Putnam County Empower Navigator
Shaquawana Wester
Putnam County Empower NavigatorShaquawana Wester
Empower Upper Cumberland, Putnam County Empower Navigator
Andrea Hunter
Smith County Empower NavigatorAndrea Hunter
Empower Upper Cumberland, Smith County Empower Navigator
Emilee Turner
Smith County Empower NavigatorEmilee Turner
Empower Upper Cumberland, Smith County Empower Navigator
Krystyna Wheeler
Van Buren County Empower NavigatorKrystyna Wheeler
Empower Upper Cumberland, Van Buren County Empower Navigator
Deborah Goodwin
Warren County Empower NavigatorDeborah Goodwin
Empower Upper Cumberland, Warren County Empower Navigator
Joseph Foutch
Warren County Empower NavigatorJoseph Foutch
Empower Upper Cumberland, Warren County Empower Navigator
Kristie Johnson
Warren County Empower NavigatorKristie Johnson
Empower Upper Cumberland, Warren County Empower Navigator
Debbie Mayberry
White County Empower NavigatorDebbie Mayberry
Empower Upper Cumberland, White County Empower Navigator
Kim England
White County Empower NavigatorKim England
Empower Upper Cumberland, White County Empower Navigator
Working together to lift children and families out of generational poverty.
Forged from the collective, region-wide mission to lift children and families out of generational poverty, Empower Upper Cumberland – also known as Empower UC – is comprised of key community and regional partners including Highlands Economic Partnership (HEP), Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board (UCLWDB), Tennessee Tech University (TTU), Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation (CRCF), and Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) as well as community members.
Click here to learn more about our partners.
Led by Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA), the designated backbone organization, Empower UC is tasked with serving the most vulnerable populations of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region which includes the counties of Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White with a core objective of lifting 1,600 children and their families out of generational poverty by 2025.
Core Partners & Representatives
Mark Farley
UCDD & UCHRAMark Farley
Executive Director, UCDD & UCHRA
Core Partner
Amy New
Highlands Economic PartnershipAmy New
CEO/President, Highlands Economic Partnership
Core Partner
Avery Hutchins
WCTE-PBSAvery Hutchins
CEO, WCTE-PBS
Core Partner
Becky Hull
UCLWDBBecky Hull
Executive Director, Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board
Core Partner
Philip Oldham
TTUPhilip Oldham
President, Tennessee Tech University
Core Partner
John Bell
CRMC Charitable FoundationJohn Bell
Executive Director, Cookeville Regional Medical Center Charitable Foundation
Core Partner
Meet the Allies
For just a few hours per month, our volunteer allies make a significant impact on the lives of the families we serve. Scroll over each profile below to learn more about each of our current Allies and learn more about their ‘why’ behind volunteering.
We are currently accepting applications for volunteer allies to serve as mentors in the lives of families that are a part of the first Circle Chapter in Putnam County. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more and apply today!
Holly Montooth
UCHRA Public Transportation DirectorEmpower UC Ally: Holly Montooth
What does being an Ally mean to me? It means that I have made the decision to put myself in someone’s corner. I’m going to be their biggest fan. If they need a cheerleader, that’s what I’ll be or maybe it’s just someone to chat with over the phone. Whatever it is, my main goal is to be a person they can count on.
I just want to be a positive part of the journey. I hope to bring stability and consistency to the table. Hopefully, just knowing that I will show up and that I’m available, will be helpful. Also, I don’t care to ‘make the ask’, if someone needs an introduction or to get connected with a group of people, I might not know them either but we can do it together.
Everyone is busy but the Empower UC/Circles program and the difference it offers is important. I’ve been very blessed in life and understand that many haven’t had the same opportunities that I have. Being an Ally is worth making the time for.
Jen Knepp
In-Home Services Manager (UCHRA)Empower UC Ally: Jen Knepp
Being an ally for Empower is important to me because I want to make a positive impact in my community. We do this by helping and giving to others. I want to be a positive influence on the entire project and each participant.
That may mean a phone call or text message to send them some positive vibes or help guide them through a hard decision they may be faced with.
I want to be their stable place to come to and will be their biggest cheerleader on their road to prosperity. Together we can do anything, even the hard things.
Heather Thomas
Putnam County CoordinatorEmpower UC Ally: Heather Thomas
Sharing wisdom, new experiences, and encouragement with these young families is rewarding. Mark Wilson, the TTU Athletic Director provided tickets to the TTU VS TSU ballgame, and It was such a joy to watch these bright children and their mothers attend a college football game for the very first time. The inaugural class of Empower UC/Circles has remarkable women working hard for their families.
My favorite part about this opportunity is engaging with the communities in the Upper Cumberland and building relationships.
Spending time as an Ally is such a blessing. It is such a privilege to be part of these young people‘s dreams that will shape their life’s journey. The families are amazing and have added great joy to my life. I would encourage everyone to find a way to be a part of this inspiring movement in the Upper Cumberland.
Empower Upper Cumberland: We are ready!
Watch the video above to hear a special message from our collaborative partners and regional stakeholders.