BOARD CHAIR - EMAIL SHELBY

Shelby Goodfriend, the Director of Facilities at the Nashville Incubator, has a robust background in both education and construction. In her current role, she sources and provides development expertise on site viability, financing, codes, and more, helping fellows deepen their knowledge and understanding of charter school facility planning and financing.

As Director of School Operations at Intrepid, she spearheaded significant renovation projects and played a key role in the school's successful expansion. Additionally, Shelby’s experience extends to commercial construction, where she managed multiple renovation projects and new store launches for The Escape Game, ensuring 100% on-time delivery. Shelby also served as the Director of Charter Schools for the Tennessee Department of Education, where she worked closely with state education agencies and charter operators across Tennessee. 

BOARD TREASURER - EMAIL WOOD

Wood Caldwell, a principal at Southeast Venture, has more than 40 years of experience in commercial real estate development and sales, as well as 7 years in engineering design. Both provide valuable expertise to Southeast Venture’s development activities, which include such high-profile projects as 12 South Flats and Silo Bend. Wood joined the team in 1991 and has since specialized in all aspects of site identification and analysis, acquisition, zoning, municipal approvals, design, construction management and marketing. Most recently, Wood was recognized for his prominence in Nashville’s development industry on the Nashville Business Journal’s 2019 list of CRE Power.

BOARD SECRETARY - EMAIL ERIN

Erin serves as Director of Operations of The Forge Nashville, which works to give more people affordable access to the professional tools, space and support they need to succeed as makers and artists, and to provide new opportunities to youth in underserved communities. A Nashville native, Erin received her B.A. in Sculpture from Pitzer College in California and her M.F.A. in Sculpture from The Ohio State University. Previously, she has acted as a shop/studio manager in both New York and Tennessee, and through the years she has taught classes on materials, plumbing, electrical work and construction. Also, an entrepreneur, Erin has owned two small businesses for more than a decade: Erin Body Care and Erin Hewgley Jewelry. 

BOARD MEMBER - EMAIL LARRY

Larry Atema is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Development Group, Inc. Since its formation in 1990, Commonwealth has specialized in commercial real estate, office, retail, industrial and multi-family development, project management, and historic restoration.

Mr. Atema also serves as President of Fernwood Real Estate, a residential and commercial real estate brokerage firm in Franklin, Tennessee, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from LaTourneau College.

BOARD MEMBER - EMAIL KAY

Kay Higgs serves as Director of Prevention Services at STARS Nashville, an organization focused on helping all young people pursue their unlimited potential by providing hope, health, connection and compassion through prevention, intervention, treatment and training. Kay Higgs has been in the field of student assistance counseling since 2002 and joined the STARS team after a merger in 2006. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich., and a master’s degree in education from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. Kay holds numerous certifications and enjoys facilitating workshops and professional developments. Kay facilitates workshops in Healthy Dating Relationships, Bullying Prevention Best Practices and Restorative Practices. Born in the United Kingdom, raised in Jamaica, West Indies, and Hartford, Conn., she prides herself on being able to connect with people from all different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.