YWCA NAMES NEW LEADERS AT WEAVER CENTER AND TAPS SEASONED EXECUTIVE TO FILL NEWLY CREATED ROLE OF CHIEF OF STAFF

(NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sept. 8, 2021) YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is pleased to welcome several new members to its leadership team. Joenell Hardyway, LMSW recently joined the nonprofit organization as the Director of Residential & Crisis Services. Hardyway oversees the operation of the 24-Hour Crisis & Support Help Line and Text Line and overall operation of the 65-bed Weaver Domestic Violence Center, the largest emergency domestic violence shelter in the region. Hardyway joined YWCA from the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute where she spent five years as a psychiatric social worker and treatment planning coordinator. She began her professional career in the U.S. Army and was deployed to numerous foreign countries, including Afghanistan, Germany, and Kuwait. She earned her undergraduate degree from American InterContinental University and a master of social work from the University of Southern California.Tara Morgan, MA is the new Director of Supportive & Family Services at the Weaver Center. She brings with her more than a decade of experience in the social services field. Prior to this her new role, Morgan served as the Manager of Data & Finance and Senior Case Manager at Oasis Center. Morgan spent several years working with youth in Tennessee state custody at Monroe Harding. She specializes in optimizing care coordination and delivery of services, as well as fostering strong community partnerships. Morgan earned her undergraduate degree at Oakland University and masters from Argosy University. She’ll lead the team that provides community support and transitional housing services to the hundreds of women, children, and families who rely on the YWCA in their time of crisis.Kate Davis joins YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee in the newly created role of Chief of Staff.  Davis manages the day-to-day administrative affairs of the Office of the President and CEO, advises leaders to make consistent decisions and assists in improving quality results by studying, evaluating, and redesigning processes, and implementing changes in support of the organization's mission. In this new role, Davis cultivates frequent close relationships with board members, business partners, donors, and public officials. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to author, actress, and social justice humanitarian Ashley Judd. The New York native moved to Nashville nearly a decade ago and served as executive administrator to several senior executives at Mars Petcare. Davis earned her undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College and looks forward to moving the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women forward.About YWCA Nashville & Middle TennesseeFor 123 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, Justice, freedom and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Social Justice & Advocacy, Dress for Success and the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit https://ywcanashville.com, follow us on twitter @YWCANashville, Instagram @YWCANashvile and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/YWCANashville. If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, call the 24-hour Crisis & Support Helpline – 800-334-4628 or 24-hour Textline 615-983-5170.