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.

As executive assistant to the TBA Executive Director, Karen works closely with the TBA Board of Governors, the House of Delegates and other committees and governing bodies.  As the Events Coordinator, Karen is the lead planner of the TBA's Annual Convention.  

Before coming to the TBA, Karen developed her skills working more than 15 years in association administration for hospitality and pharmacy organizations.

Chelsea Bennett is a Senior Education and Professional Development Coordinator for the Tennessee Bar Association. She brings the association eight years of diverse work experience in the education sector. Previously, she worked as the head studio teacher and welfare agent with the child actors starring on the television show “Nashville.” Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University, and she received her master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

Dave is responsible for maintaining, developing and supporting the computer and communication systems at TBA. This includes both the internal servers and individual devices as well as the TBA’s multiple web servers and services. Dave has spent most of his career in entrepreneurial ventures in both the printing and information technology industries. He worked with the TBA for over 12 years in a developer/support role before joining the staff in July of 2016.

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.

Laura is the Young Lawyers Division Coordinator 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.

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.

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.

Jennifer "Jen" Robinson serves as the TBA's Technical Systems Administrator. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from Western Kentucky University and boasts several IT certifications, including ITIL 4 and Google IT Professional Support. With an extensive background spanning 15 years in customer service and a decade in IT encompassing troubleshooting and IT operations, Jen brings a wealth of experience to her role.

Prior to her tenure at the TBA, Jen worked as a systems administrator at Integrated Management Strategies in Vienna, Virginia. Originally from Kentucky, she is deeply passionate about assisting her family and she loves football.

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.

Elizabeth Slagle Todaro is the Access to Justice Director at the Tennessee Bar Association. Liz has over 20 years of experience in the fields of domestic violence, family law, criminal justice, women’s issues, political advocacy, education reform and access to justice issues.

Liz earned a bachelors degree in political science from Emory University and a law degree from the City University of New York Law School. She worked in the Battered Women’s Rights Clinic during law school, representing clients in NYC family courts. She also worked with the Incarcerated Mother’s Law Project of the Women’s Prison Association, serving clients at Riker’s Island Jail and in other N.Y. state correctional facilities.

Since law school, Liz has continued her public service oriented career, ultimately moving back to Nashville to do outreach for the YWCA Domestic Violence Center and then serving as the program director for the Crisis Center at Family & Children’s Service. Prior to joining TBA, Liz led Nashville Debate, a local non-profit that works to bring policy debate back into Metro Nashville’s public schools, while continuing a part-time role as a community educator with the YWCA.

Liz is a native of Nashville and graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic High School.

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.