1. E R I K E . C O L E
1803 FATHERLAND STREET., NASHVILLE, TN 37206 ▪ (615)969-1582 ▪ ERIKCOLE7@GMAIL.COM
PERSONAL STATEMENT, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Recognized expert in strategic planning, coalition building, program management and public policy with
pragmatic expertise in community development; housing; financial inclusion; health care; public budgets;
homelessness and poverty; local and state government; designing and improving anti-poverty programs.
Former local elected official with track record in results, communication and inclusion with diverse
communities and stakeholders.
Thoughtful strategic thinker, planner, and facilitator.
Seasoned program developer and staff manager.
Skilled author, public speaker and social media communicator.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIE NCE
2013-Present Office of Mayor Karl Dean Nashville, TN
Director of Financial Empowerment
 Leads Nashville Financial Empowerment Center – a public/private partnership based in the
Office of Mayor Karl F. Dean which has helped over 2300 clients through over 7200
counseling sessions focused on personal budgeting, debt reduction, credit improvement, and
utilizing safe banking services. Established in 2012, this partnership with the local United Way
is Nashville’s largest provider of financial inclusion services.
 Manages all aspects of $2 million 3-year investment in Nashville by the Cities for Financial
Empowerment Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Responsible for sustainable funding of
this program past grant term.
 Coordinates with CFE Fund on successful program replication, grant compliance, program and
innovation. Nashville is one of five cities replicating successful initiative which originated in
New York City government.
 Leads all aspects of public/private partnership between the Mayor’s Office and United Way of
Metropolitan Nashville to deliver direct services.
 Staff lead and architecht of Metro’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Commission and the
Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing.
 Chairs Nashville’s Continuum of Care Governance Committee and serves as Mayor’s liaison to
the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission.
 Advises Mayor on poverty, homeless, housing and community development issues.
2002-Jan. 2013 Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services Nashville, TN
Executive Director (May ‘05 – Jan. 13), Interim Executive Director (Jan.’05 – May ’05), Public Policy
Director (Aug.’02 – Jan. ’05)
 Increased agency budget two-fold by increasing state contracts, securing federal grant funds,
and building partnerships.
 Directed increased delivery of legal services to low income Tennesseans through collaboration,
leveraging resources, and technology.

2.  Led statewide strategy to increase delivery of legal assistance through pro bono lawyer
engagement and increased statewide resources.
 Designed and implemented statewide programs with institutional partners to increase legal
assistance for thousands of low-income Tennesseans.
 Improved agency communications methods, increased field input in program work, and built
stronger internal procedures and controls.
 Lead statewide network of advocates to research the effects of public policy initiatives on low-
income Tennesseans.
 Advised public policymakers on substantive law issues affecting low-income persons in
Tennessee.
 Coordinated with Board of Directors to set agency benchmarks and outcome targets related to
strategic goals
2003-2011 Metropolitan Nashville City Council Nashville, TN
Elected member representing the 7th Councilmanic District
 Chair, Budget & Finance Committee, 2007-2008
 President Pro Tempore, 2006-2007
 Chair, Convention, Tourism, and Public Entertainment Facilities Committee 2009-2010
 Chair, Health, Hospitals, and Social Services Committee, 2004-2005
 Represented diverse urban council district facing challenges of poverty, gentrification, and
urban development pressures
 Crafted and passed significant legislation on sustainable development, financial inclusion,
economic development, ethics reform, and cultural inclusion.
2000-2002 Tennessee Citizen Action Nashville, TN
Executive Director
 Organized and implemented all major programmatic, legislative, and administrative activities
for statewide non-profit consumer advocacy organization.
 Spearheaded fundraising activities from individual contributions, coalition partners, and
foundation grants.
 Coordinated issue-based grassroots lobbying campaigns, including direct interaction with the
Tennessee General Assembly and members of Congress.
 Served as Vice President of USAction, national parent organization.
1998-2000 Campaign for America’s Future Washington, DC
Communications Director
 Coordinated national campaigns to influence print, television, radio, and online media through
web site, events, and reports.
1997-1998 Millennium Communications, Inc. Washington, DC
Account Executive
 Managed strategic planning and communications projects with a variety of nonprofit, association
and foundation clients.
 Led project to introduce and manage Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ TNKIDS
program.

3. 1996-1997 Youth Vote ‘96 Washington, DC
National Coordinator
1995-1996 National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program Washington, DC
Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Regional Organizer
EDUCATION
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
Bachelor of Arts., Political Science; Minor in Environmental Studies
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & HONORS
 Chair, Continuum of Care Governance Committee, MDHA/Homelessness Commission
 Chair, Metropolitan Homelessness Commission, 2008 - 2012
 Board Member, Metro Human Relations Support Committee, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
 Former board member, Nashville Housing Fund, Operations Committee Chair
 Advisory board member, Urban Green Lab
 Member, Tennessee Bar Association Access to Justice Committee
 Advisor for Barnes Coaltion for Housing on efforts to create a Housing Trust Fund in Nashville
 Member, Metro Nashville Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Council
 Co-chair, Moving Nashville Forward, 2012
 Co-chair, Karl Dean for Mayor run-off campaign, 2007
 Member, Nashville Long-Term Flood Recovery Committee – liaison to legal services for low-income Nashville flood
victims
 Alumni, Leadership Nashville, Class of 2014
 Alumni, Leadership Middle Tennessee, Class of 2011
 Named to 2010 Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40
 Named Best Metro Councilmember, 2007, by the Nashville Scene
 Former board member, Mental Health Cooperative Foundation, Franklin Brooks Fund of the Community Foundation of
Middle TN, Member, Mayor’s Open Space Advisory Committee, Promise Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and
Community Impact