The Patricia Hart Society is a community of game changers united by a shared commitment to strengthening early childhood education and literacy across our region.

Inspired by the legacy of Patricia Hart—a dedicated Williamson County volunteer whose belief in the power of service still shapes us—this society has grown far beyond its beginnings.

Today, members from across our footprint come together with purpose, lending their time, talents, and resources to advance United Way’s work across the counties we serve.

While rooted in a history of strong female leadership, the Patricia Hart Society welcomes all who want to make a meaningful impact. With an annual gift of $500 or more, members join more than 350 supporters who collectively invest over $530,000 each year to move this mission forward.

This is a connected community—people working side by side, creating real change, and proving that extraordinary things happen when we move together with intention.

Areas of focus

How does the Patricia Hart Society make lasting change in our community? With a little effort from each member.

• Supports Read to Succeed, an early childhood learning model building academic and social‑emotional skills from birth to age five.
• Helps expand Raise Your Hand tutoring, providing free in‑school tutoring sessions to support reading proficiency.
• Strengthens early literacy through Imagination Library of Middle TN, ensuring children receive free, age‑appropriate books mailed directly to their homes.
• Helps deliver training and support for educators to increase the quality of early childhood education through initiatives like CORE Network.
• Improves the systems and structures that support Nashville’s families and young children through Raising Readers Nashville.

Thank you to our 2026 Patricia Hart Society Board Members:

• Catie Lane Bailey, Partner, Holland & Knight
• Stefanie Cassidy, Public Sector Account Manager, EY
• Haley Breedlove, Vice President, Senior Director, Revenue & Treasury, CoreCivic
• Kara Fortune, PharmD, Senior Director Pharmacy Solutions, HealthTrust
• Beth Fowler, Silent Auction Chair, President, Stewart Lender Services; EVP, Stewart Title, Stewart Title Guaranty Company
• Aigner George, PharmD, AVP, Performance Solutions – Pharmacy, HealthTrust Performance Group
• Teaka Jackson, Senior Litigation Paralegal, Office of Legal Counsel State of Tennessee
• Bailie Klages, Vice President, Commercial Banking, Commerce Bank
• Casey Minnich, Immediate Past President, Counsel, Acadia Healthcare
• Caitlin Munn, Assurance Senior Manager, EY
• Annie Paraison, EMBA, Cultural Architect at Love Before ALL LLC
• Charlene Saunders, Director, Premier Learning Academy
• Shasta Smith, President, NFLPA Athlete Lifestyle & Foundation Management/SNÉRA Athlete Collective
• Tina Trujillo, Controller, ESa