Growing an Organization, the NICE Way

Director of Development and Communications

I served as the Director of Development & Communications for the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), a refugee and immigrant services organization, from 2021-2025.
Through an expanded grants strategy, refinement of the organization’s individual and corporate giving programs, and a marketing upgrade, NICE’s annual budget grew 4x during my tenure.

The Work

I served as the primary fundraiser and spokesperson for the agency and was tasked with educating the media and public on the critical needs facing newcomers during two major international crises that saw refugees settle in Middle Tennessee from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Throughout my time at NICE, my team harnessed the unique impact of storytelling to shift narratives around refugees and immigrants in Tennessee, resulting in dramatically increased support for our agency, both in terms of donations and volunteer support.

Throughout my time at NICE, my team harnessed the unique impact of storytelling to shift
narratives around refugees and immigrants in Tennessee, resulting in dramatically increased support for the agency, both in terms of donations and volunteer support.

The Impact

$2.9M

NICE Income 2021

$11.4M

NICE Income 2025

$1,000+

New Donors