Our vision
The Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative
... was created by the Tennessee legislature in 2019 in response to Governor Bill Lee's vision to leverage the power and possibilities of Tennessee's faith communities and non-profit organizations -- in partnership with state government -- to solve the state's most challenging issues.
Our objectives & ROLES
"Progress moves at the speed of relationships."
With over 11,000 houses of worship and 30,000 non-profit organization across Tennessee, the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative is uniquely positioned as a nimble and proactive problem-solver for the state's diverse challenges -- from prisoner re-entry to foster care, affordable housing to mental health.
Connect
Amplify
Resource
Educate
Serve
Our purpose
Mobilizing Tennesseans To Care For
Our Most Vulnerable Communities
10,000
Houses of Worship
30,000
Non-Profit Organizations
23
State Departments
How CAN WE PARTNER WITH YOU?
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Our Staff
Lance Villio
Executive Director
Appointed by the Governor
Appointed by the Governor
Dr. Monty Burks
Deputy Director
m.burks(at)tn.gov
m.burks(at)tn.gov
Erik Lokkesmoe
Senior Advisor, Strategy & Communications
erik.lokkesmoe(at)tn.gov
erik.lokkesmoe(at)tn.gov
Rachel Riley-Coe
Director, Correction and Reentry Initatives
rachel.rileycoe(at)tn.gov
rachel.rileycoe(at)tn.gov
Leah Moyer
Director, Every Child TN
leah.moyer(at)tn.gov
leah.moyer(at)tn.gov
Dr. Omaràn D. Lee
Regional Director
Middle Tennessee
omaran.lee(at)tn.gov
Middle Tennessee
omaran.lee(at)tn.gov
Dr. Edward Stephens III
Regional Director
Western Tennessee
edward.stephens(at)tn.gov
Western Tennessee
edward.stephens(at)tn.gov
Dr. Emily Hager
Regional Director
Eastern Tennessee
emily.hager(at)tn.gov
Eastern Tennessee
emily.hager(at)tn.gov
Shelbi Ball
Special Projects Manager
shelbi.ball(at)tn.gov
shelbi.ball(at)tn.gov
Annie Morel
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
annie.morel(at)tn.gov
annie.morel(at)tn.gov