United Way of Greater Nashville announced that Lori Shinton will retire following a distinguished career in nonprofit and public-sector leadership, including significant service to Hands On, disaster response and long-term recovery efforts across the region.
Shinton joined Hands On Nashville in 2015 and later served as CEO, helping stabilize and strengthen the organization, expand programming and support its growth from serving one county to serving ten counties. She continued to lead through Hands On Nashville’s merger with United Way of Greater Nashville and later served in regional and enterprise leadership roles, including interim CEO of the Greater Clarksville Region and Chief Growth Officer.
Last year alone, Hands On served 211 community partners, engaged more than 22,000 volunteer signups and generated more than 57,000 volunteer hours.
Throughout her tenure, Shinton played an important role in coordinating disaster response and recovery partnerships, including work connected to floods, tornadoes, Winter Storm Fern and long-term recovery initiatives in Clarksville-Montgomery County. During Winter Storm Fern, Hands On led efforts to help more than 2,000 people clear debris.
“Lori’s leadership has strengthened our organization and deepened our ability to serve communities across Middle Tennessee,” said Erica Mitchell, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Nashville. “We are grateful for her commitment, steady leadership and lasting contributions, and we wish her the very best in retirement.”
As Shinton transitions into retirement, United Way of Greater Nashville will continue Hands On programming, disaster response and long-term recovery work with responsibilities assigned to existing leaders, including Jann Seymour for Hands On operations and funder relations and Alex Dorman for disaster response, long-term recovery and disaster funder relations.