As executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association, Sheree leads the professional staff in daily operations and works with the Board of Governors and other TBA leaders to carry out the mission of the bar. Before joining the TBA, she served as a Senior Associate General Counsel at Vanderbilt University and was active in the Nashville, Tennessee and national legal communities.

Wright holds undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University. She previously served as president of the Nashville Bar Association and on the Board of Directors of the Lawyer’s Association for Women. At the TBA, she is a member of the Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility and has been a frequent CLE speaker.

As assistant executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association, Lanny oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. He is a 20-year veteran of the non-profit sector with more than 15 years of management experience. Past experience includes serving as vice president of the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and as curator of the Nashville Zoo. With a diverse background in all aspects of operations, Lanny has extensive experience in organizational efficiency and utilizing available resources and technology to add value to the member experience.

He also enjoys playing an active volunteer role in the community, specifically helping small fledgling non-profits navigate the early stages of founding and launch. An Arizona native, Lanny and his family moved to Nashville in 2012.

Chelsea Bennett serves as the Director of Access to Justice & Strategic Initiatives for the Tennessee Bar Association. Before assuming this role, she spent seven years as a Senior Education & Professional Development Coordinator, contributing significantly to the association’s programming and member engagement.

Chelsea brings more than eight years of experience in the education sector, including five years as a teacher with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She also previously served as the head studio teacher and welfare agent for child actors on the television series Nashville, overseeing educational compliance and student well-being.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

Derrick Dishner is the Director of Finance and Accounting at the Tennessee Bar Association. In this role, he oversees the processing of payables, budgeting and monthly financial reporting. Additionally, he works closely with banking and investment communities as well as board members.

Derrick is a CPA and brings valuable experience from local industries such as retail petroleum, staffing, travel and government. He has also previously served on a non-profit board as treasurer. Derrick grew up in Nashville and attended Lipscomb University where he graduated with a degree in accounting.

Hank Elliott is the Webcasting and AV Coordinator for the TBA, so any of our online programming has probably gone through Hank's hands. Prior to joining the Tennessee Bar Association staff, Hank was a photojournalist for News Channel 5 here in Nashville. At the station, he covered some of the largest events in Nashville and worked to tell the stories of underserved communities in Middle Tennessee. Before becoming a photojournalist, he worked for several years in the country music industry covering events and producing live performance television shows. Hank earned his bachelor of arts in digital media from Tusculum College.

As Advertising and Media Content Coordinator, Stacey works closely with other members of the Communications team to provide content to the TBA Today daily e-newsletter and the Tennessee Bar Journal. In addition, she works with advertisers, sponsors and exhibitors to help them bring their products to TBA members at conferences, programs and regular publications.

Stacey was previously the coordinator of the TBA's Young Lawyers Division and was in charge of media relations. Before joining the TBA, Stacey worked on Capitol Hill for 10 years. In Washington, she served as a legislative analyst with the House Republican Conference and later as legislative director for U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson and senior advisor for U.S. Rep. John Boozman. A native of Texas, she holds a political science degree from Wheaton College.

Laura is the Director of the Young Lawyers Division for the Tennessee Bar Association. Prior to joining the Tennessee Bar Association she served as a professor of rhetoric at Hofstra University and the Executive Director of an educational nonprofit in New York. Earlier in her career in higher education she served as a Grants Coordinator and Conference Coordinator. Laura earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at Hofstra University.

David is the Data and Systems Analyst for the Tennessee Bar Association. He manages and optimizes the organization’s core platforms, including its association management system, learning management system, bulk email platform and website, providing consistent support to staff and members.

Prior to joining the Tennessee Bar Association, David worked in the field of communications, writing stories for NBC Sports, Spectrum News NY1 and The New York Post. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Hofstra University with minors in marketing, mathematics and rhetoric. A native of New Jersey, David enjoys volunteering at his local animal shelter, helping dogs and cats get adopted.

Brooke Leeton is an Education and Professional Development Coordinator for the Tennessee Bar Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in Art History from the University of Louisville. Brooke has worked in higher education for 10 years, honing her passion for teaching and curriculum development. Before she came to TBA she taught art history classes and created online courses for the University of Georgia.

Seretta Maxwell is the CLE Coordinator for the Tennessee Bar Association. She assists in the production of CLE programming and provides support for attorneys taking part in both online and onsite courses. She has a bachelor’s degree from Barry University in Melbourne, Florida, and most recently worked there as a business development associate at Leonardo DRS Inc.

Linda is the front line contact for callers and visitors to the TBA. When you call the general number, you are usually greeted by Linda's kind and helpful voice. She enjoys assisting TBA members with their needs and providing resource information to outside callers.

Linda studied at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski. Before coming to the TBA she was retired for ten years after working in accounting, business and office administration.

Jamie is an Education and Professional Development Coordinator for the TBA. In that position, she works with a number of the TBA's sections and committees, facilitating meetings, helping plan continuing education programs, assisting with newsletters and ensuring they operate smoothly. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Belmont University and brings over a decade of experience in customer service and administrative roles for large and small organizations alike. Prior to joining the TBA, Jamie worked as a Trust & Safety Specialist for Lyft’s corporate office in Nashville, where she investigated reports of unsafe behavior occurring during Lyft rides. Additionally, she volunteers for the annual Dancing for Safe Haven fundraiser event.

After directing the TBA's CLE programming for 10 years, Mindy Thomas moved to become the Director of Membership. In this position, Mindy develops programs, initiatives and policies designed to increase membership.

Mindy earned her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University. Prior to coming to the TBA Mindy worked as a program coordinator and facilitator for several alternative sentencing programs in Middle Tennessee counties. Mindy has also spent 14 years in Central America and has worked as an interpreter in Davidson and Williamson counties.

Azya Thornton is the TBA's Communications Coordinator. In her role at the TBA, she spearheads the development and implementation of social media strategies to expand the TBA’s online presence and connect with TBA’s membership. She also plays a role in the content creation of the TBA Today daily e-newsletter and produces TBA’s podcasts.

Prior to joining TBA, Azya handled communications at an environmental nonprofit managing the website, social media and membership communications. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut.

Tanja is the Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator for the TBA. She is a key member of our administration and finance team, handling human resource functions for the association as well as providing administrative service and data entry related to receivables, including membership dues, CLE courses, conventions, advertising and other revenue.

Before coming to the TBA she worked in the finance department of a structural steel fabrication company in southeastern Alabama. She graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with emphasis in human resources.

If you are interested in presenting a CLE program offered by the Tennessee Bar Association, would like to see a particular program or hot topic, or are interested in learning more about our Sections, Jennifer Vossler is your go-to resource. Jennifer is the Director of Education and Professional Development; directing strategy, growth initiatives and operations for the TBA’s CLE department and Sections. She is focused on leading the way in quality CLE and creating value for TBA members to grow as experts and leaders in their field.

Prior to joining the TBA, Jennifer worked in continuing education for a national nonprofit, managing live and online continuing education programming for healthcare and compliance professionals. She received her bachelor of science degree in business administration and marketing from Tennessee Technological University.

Julia Canada Wilburn is the editor of the Tennessee Bar Journal. Contact her for writer’s guidelines or to submit an article for review. She works with a seven-member editorial board to decide what will be published in each bimonthly issue, and with the publications coordinator on design and production. In addition, she is a member of the Communications team and helps produce the TBA Today daily electronic newsletter.

She received her bachelor of arts in English from Lambuth University and her master of arts in English from Belmont University. Prior to joining the Tennessee Bar Association, Julia served as director of communications & artist relations at a statewide arts organization, and was an adjunct writing instructor at three Middle Tennessee universities.

Jarod Word is a Senior Education and Professional Development Coordinator at the Tennessee Bar Association. In that position, he works with a number of the TBA's sections and committees, facilitating meetings, assisting with newsletters and ensuring they operate smoothly.

Prior to joining TBA, Jarod served as Project Coordinator for Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. While at LAS he assisted with numerous Pro Bono initiatives including legal assistance for veterans with Operation Stand Down of Tennessee, and a project to provide legal assistance to rural communities using video technology. He also established and maintained a partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools that facilitated legal clinics and developed informational sessions for families within the school system.