about us
For the last 30 years, Volunteer Mississippi has been dedicated to the mission of engaging and supporting all Mississippians in service to their communities.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture of volunteerism across our state, believing that every individual has the potential to make a meaningful impact.
Our goals are clear and focused. We aim to:
Promote Volunteerism
Raise awareness about the importance of community service and the positive change it can bring.
Increase Volunteer Participation
Encourage more Mississippians to get involved and contribute their time and skills.
Recognize Volunteers
Celebrate the dedication and achievements of those who selflessly give back to their communities.
Expand and Diversify AmeriCorps Programs
Broaden the reach and variety of service opportunities available through AmeriCorps, ensuring that they reflect the diverse needs and interests of our communities.
Increase AmeriCorps Membership
Recruit and support more individuals to serve as AmeriCorps members, enhancing the impact of their efforts across Mississippi.
At Volunteer Mississippi, we believe that by coming together and working collaboratively, we can create a stronger, more vibrant state. Join us in our mission to empower and uplift our communities through the power of service.
Board of Commissioners
We extend a heartfelt thank you to our Commissioners, past and present for their dedication, contribution and enthusiasm to our mission.
First Lady Elee Reeves
Honorary Chair
Jackson, MS
Committed to giving back to her community and her fellow Mississippians, Elee volunteers her time to numerous charitable and civic organizations. Elee also gives back as a role model to future generations, mentoring girls and collegiate women. Joining Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi as a child where she sharpened her leadership skills, Elee has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 22 years and served on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Mississippi. In her role as First Lady, Elee has enjoyed reading in schools, promoting the importance of literacy for students of all ages. After the historic flooding in our state in 2020, Elee partnered with Keep Mississippi Beautiful to highlight the need of participating in community clean-up efforts to restore Mississippi’s natural beauty.
Jennifer Hopping
Jackson, MS
Chair
Aubrey Leigh Goodwin
Jackson, MS
Vice Chair
Celeste Brown
Hattiesburg, MS
2nd Vice Chair
Meredith Aldridge
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Dr. Suzanne Bean
Columbus, MS
Commissioner
Catherine Bell
Jackson, MS
Special Assistant Attorney General
Ashley Cannady
Ridgeland, MS
Commissioner
Beth Fisher
Canton, MS
Commissioner
Susan Garrard
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Roschelle Gibson
Commissioner
Lisa Grantham
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Rochelle Hicks
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Dr. LeMia Jenkins-Thompson
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Merracle Jordan
Southaven, MS
2nd Vice Chair
Katherine Krehbiel
Regional Office
Ex-Officio AmeriCorps Representative
Stewart McMillan
Tupelo, MS
Commissioner
Melanie Mitchell
Meridian, MS
Commissioner
Terryl Nordan
Greenville, MS
Commissioner
Aysha Robertson
Commissioner
Dr. Josie (Jo) Shumake
Columbus, MS
Commissioner
Tracy Smith
Corinth, MS
Commissioner
Cole Smith
Jackson, MS
Commissioner
Kathy St. John
Madison, MS
Commissioner
Board of Commissioners Agenda
Volunteer Mississippi Staff
Suzanne Scales Rutherford
Executive Director
Adrian Austin
Chief of Staff
Jin Joo Crosby
Director, National Service Programs
Kerry Nash
Executive Assistant, Office Manager
Tanya Fortenberry
Volunteer & Disaster Services Officer
Michelle Gordon
AmeriCorps Member Engagement Officer
Chequetta Harper
Fiscal Officer
Ann Bradley Maloney
AmeriCorps Systems Officer
Jessica Marley
AmeriCorps Programs Officer
Sydni Vandevender
Public Relations Officer