Speaker Friday, September 13, 2024
Join us on September 13, 2024, at 7:15 AM to explore a vital topic: breaking intergenerational cycles of childhood trauma. The more prepared our parents are to help their children become resilient, the more likely our communities will also thrive. Learn more about The Family Center’s efforts to help parents create safe, stable, and nurturing environments for their children! It takes a village!!
Lauren LaViola, a dedicated social justice advocate, will be the featured speaker at this event. With a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising and marketing, LaViola has made significant contributions to organizations that focus on supporting families and children. Her journey in the nonprofit sector began in 2011 with CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), where she served as Executive Director for eight years. During her tenure, she successfully managed a staff of four and collaborated closely with a board of directors to increase annual fundraising by an impressive 900%.
After relocating to Tennessee in 2014, LaViola turned her attention to local causes, where she has since been involved with several organizations, including the Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, Project Return, and Free Hearts, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Spring of 2023, she has been serving as the Vice President of Development and Marketing at The Family Center in Nashville. The mission of The Family Center resonates deeply with LaViola, as it aims to break the cycles of childhood trauma that can affect families across generations.
LaViola holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a Master of Science from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Together with her husband, she is a proud parent of a two-and-a-half-year-old son named Jack.
Recent and Future Speakers
| 1/3/25 | Sarah Martino — Nashville Adult Literacy | |
| 1/10/25 | No Meeting | |
| 1/17/25 | Justin Ploof — Mull-It Office 365 Tools | |
| 1/24/25 | Scott Ramsey, CEO Nashville Sports Council | |
| 1/31/25 | Dr Sean Kelly, Infectious Disease Physician at VUMC — Dr Sean Kelly, Infectious Disease Physician at VUMC | |
| 2/7/25 | RalphShultz, CEO Nashville Chamber — Stories of Nashville’s Growth, an Insider’s Perspective | |
| 2/14/25 | Norm Fox, Founder/Owner Donut Den — Interview of the Iconic Green Hills Donut Shop Founder Norm Fox | |
| 2/21/25 | Steve Perrigo, VP, Sales & Marketing, Allsup — Status of the Social Security Funds |