BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEKEILA COOK - BOARD CHAIR
Mekeila Cook currently serves as the interim President for EPIC Girl’s Board of Directors. She has worked with and conducted research with justice involved girls for nearly 10 years. Mekeila has volunteered with EPIC Girl and served in various capacities since 2018 when she moved to Tennessee. She has been an advocate for health and racial equity and championed access to resources and services, particularly for justice involved youth. She works in the field of public health and teaches at a local college in Nashville. Mekeila enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and three daughters.
HOPE BUCKNER
Since beginning her career in public relations, Hope has worked alongside many organizations in the health care, education, and nonprofit spaces. She has experience in media relations, crisis communications, event management, strategic marketing, media training, organizational development, and more. Prior to returning to Belmont in 2021 as Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Special Initiatives, Hope served as an Associate Vice President in the Healthcare Practice at FINN Partners, a comprehensive strategic communications agency where she supported a variety of clients all along the healthcare continuum. Now, in her role at Belmont, Hope co-leads University Marketing and Communications and oversees Belmont's overall storytelling efforts, strategic communications, and comprehensive brand to elevate the university’s reputation among all stakeholders. This includes working to maximize exposure and reach of stories—including earned (PR), owned (print, web, digital, etc.), shared (social) and paid (advertising) media—as well as playing a significant role in navigating crisis communications and developing executive thought leadership platforms. Ever passionate about educating the next generation of public relations and nonprofit leaders, Hope continues to work as an Adjunct Instructor at Belmont where she teaches courses in the Department of Public Relations.
RUSS ELLIS
Russ is a graduate of Lambuth University and has spent over 25 years in the non-profit sector. He has been the Chief Development Officer at the University School of Jackson for more than five years leading the fundraising efforts for the IMAGINE More Capital Campaign and Annual Giving efforts. Russ spent 11 years with the American Heart Association, eight of those as VP of Field Operations. He was a Senior Account Manager for 5 years with ALSAC/St. Jude where he was recognized as part of the Class of 2014 “St. Jude Select.” In addition to his career in non-profit, Russ also volunteers his time and has served on the Boards of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Friends of Heart, American Heart Association, Cerebral Palsy Association, Toastmasters and is a founding member, and still serves on the Advisory Board, of the JDRF’s Black Tie and Boxing. He and his wife Karen were recognized as Honorary Guests at the 4th Annual Black Tie and Boxing event for their efforts in the fight against type 1 diabetes. He is Rotarian and just began serving on the Board of Epic Girl based in Nashville. He is also a founding member of the Jackson Fundraising professionals (JFP) organization. He has been the Drink Rounds Auctioneer for Black Tie and Boxing since the inaugural event in 2017. Russ is a graduate of Leadership Jackson and the Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute. He and Karen have been married over 32 years and have two children (out of the house) Rusty – who works at the Upper Cumberland Reporter in Cookeville, TN and Keaton a recent graduate of UTC, resides in Charleston, SC.
MIMI POHLMAN
Mimi Pohlman is a devout Christian and wife with 3 spectacular boys and a dog named Ziggy. She enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, cooking, reading, and anything near a body of water. She has been volunteering since she was in middle school with many organizations through her church, school, and non-profit organizations. Mimi is passionate about children and making this world a better place for them to grow.
