2025 Program Book - Dancing for Safe Haven

WELCOME FROM THE CEO

As we kick off the 16th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven, I just want to pause and say how grateful I am to be here with all of you. For more than 41 years, Safe Haven Family Shelter has been walking alongside families in our community, making sure they have the support they need to move from homelessness to stability. Nights like tonight remind me how powerful it is when a community shows up together. Our Neighborhood!

This event isn’t just about great music and dancing—it’s about impact. The funds we raise tonight help provide real solutions for families safe shelter, housing, and the resources they need to thrive.

Just last year, we served 262 families and helped 99 families move into housing. Those numbers represent real parents and children whose lives are changing because of your support.

There are so many people who make tonight possible, and I want to take a moment to say thank you. To our sponsors, dancers, co-chairs, board, staff, and volunteers—you are the heartbeat of this event. And our star dancers deserve a special shout-out. They’ve been practicing, fundraising, and pouring their energy into making tonight both fun and meaningful.

I’m especially grateful for our event co-chairs, Tonya Mitchem Grindon, Josh Mundy, and Beth Witte. Your leadership has been incredible! And our partners at BlueSky Filmworks, Stephen Hill and Bradford Van Demark always bring creativity and magic to this night.

I’ve got to give a fun shout-out to our very own Safe Haven Dance Team too! Watching our staff boot scootin’ on the dance floor tonight fills my heart. It shows not only their dancing skills but also their heart for this mission—they truly live it every day.

And finally, a huge thank you to our small but mighty Development team—Stacy, Karen, Ashton, Cal, and Julie. You all have worked tirelessly to make this evening a success, and it shows.

So, let’s enjoy this night! Let’s celebrate, dance, and remember that together we’re building a community where every family has a safe and stable home. Thank you for being here, thank you for believing in this mission, and thank you for helping us make a difference.

With deep gratitude, Drew

2025 COUNCIL MEMBERS

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Eric Baer

Anita Bailey

Kitty Barrow

Henry Bedford

Jennifer Chalos

Joe Christopher

Karen Conrad

Gary Cooper

Richard Courtney

Gari Cowan

William Diehl

Kelly Dillon

Jimmy Evans

Debbie Flack

Howard Gentry, Jr.

Chad Greer

Michael Grooms

Sean Kirk

Trey Lipman

Sameera Lowe

John Nefflen

Kearstin Patterson

Brian Roark

Dave Roberson

Tammy Rutherford

Scott Schumann

Slade Sevier

Vicki Yates

2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tarek El Gammal, President

Leigh Lindsey, Vice President

Warren Jackson, Treasurer

Michelle Thompson, Secretary

Aileen Katcher, At-Large Member

Tonya Mitchem Grindon, Legal Counsel

Edmundo Cepeda, Immediate Past President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura Alba

Loren Arrieta

Heather Coffelt

Lisa Estrada

Elsie Faciane

Karen Hingtgen

Dr. Yerusalem Lanier

Morgan McCormack Clingan

Joshua Mundy

Matt Olson

Raj Patnaik

Ahmad Sabbarini

Tami Walker

2025 EVENT CHAIRS

BETH WITTE is the Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for Community Health Systems, one of the nation’s leading operators of general acute care hospitals. In her role, she is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of the Compliance and Privacy programs for the Company and its affiliated hospitals, physician practices and ambulatory surgery centers. A Certified Public Accountant, Beth began her career at Deloitte & Touche and worked as an Audit Manager in their Nashville office prior to joining CHS. Beth was a dancer in the 2022 Dancing for Safe Haven event.

JOSHUA MUNDY a Nashville native, is a dynamic serial entrepreneur renowned for his resilience, innovation and community-driven initiatives. As CEO and Co-Founder of Pivot Technology School, he pioneers tech workforce development for underserved communities in the area of data analytics, software development and cyber security. Joshua also owns ZAM Investments, a real estate/business investment firm, fostering positive change through Fortitude Homes, providing housing for marginalized individuals via The Fortitude Group. Josh was a dancer in the 2022 Dancing For Safe Haven event.

TONYA M shareho Baker, D a firm wi througho female C (Chambe (Global M Top 10 c United S the 2023

EVENING HOSTS

DANIELLE BREEZY has been the Chief Meteorologist at News 2 since 2016. She earned her degree in Atmospheric Science at Cornell University and has her CBM seal, which is the highest seal she can earn. She was the 2021 AMS Broadcaster of the Year for her coverage of the March 2020 Tornado Outbreak and was named the top 40 under 40 in 2020 by the Nashville Business Journal.

TOM RILES was the opening act for The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 17 years, in addition to American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and The Voice. Now Tom is a benefit auctioneer for many non-profits around the country including Make-A-Wish and the American Heart Association. Tom is married with three kids and currently lives in Nashville.

JUDGES

SHABAZ CHIJIOKE UJIMA is a native Nashvillian who began his formal dance training at the Nashville School of the Arts and the School of Nashville Ballet. For college, he attended the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL and began training in a dance style known as the Graham Technique after the pioneer of modern dance, Martha Graham. His professional career spanned over a decade, dancing with NB2 (Nashville Ballet 2nd Company), Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Dayton, OH, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Ensemble Denver, CO.

CAROLYN SMITH BRYANT’S career path is most like the quick step: it pivots, moves rapidly, and covers a lot of ground. She has held positions as a Registered Rep of the New York Stock Exchange and a Life & Health Insurance agent in the top investment team at Merrill Lynch's Private Client Group. Carolyn has been a professional actress and walked the runway. More recently, she opened an AirBNB in Columbia, TN and helped her son establish and run a nonprofit called The Heads Up Penny Foundation. In addition she just finished cowriting a book and is currently the Featured Editor of Sophisticated Living Nashville. Carolyn is a native New Yorker who married a Nashvillian, BMI’s President and CEO Emeritus Del Bryant. She danced for Safe Haven in 2024.

CHRISTOPHER WAYNE started da his hometown of Johannesburg, So under 16 Latin American Champion Dance Champion. Christopher moved to the US in 1999 and has established himself as one of the top ballroom dance teachers in the country. Christopher has also been a featured professional dancer for Dancing for Safe Haven since it started in 2009. He is the proud owner of The Ballroom of Nashville, which offers the highest level of dance instruction along with twenty six other experienced instructors.

JOSHUA MUNDY a Nashville native, is a dynamic serial entrepreneur renowned for his resilience, innovation and community-driven initiatives. As CEO and Co-Founder of Pivot Technology School, he pioneers tech workforce development for underserved communities in the area of data analytics, software development and cyber security. Joshua also owns ZAM Investments, a real estate/business investment firm, fostering positive change through Fortitude Homes, providing housing for marginalized individuals via The Fortitude Group. Joshua danced for Safe Haven in 2022.

MEET OUR DANCERS

ATRICE BORDRON

I’m dancing to raise funds, and hope, for those who need it most. Safe Haven provides critical support to people in their most vulnerable moments, and I want to do my part to ensure that work continues. Every step I take is for someone finding their way back to safety, stability, and home.

Mallory Evan is a classically trained dancer that specializes in all of the styles of competitive ballroom dance as well as the latin social dances and swing. Having trained under some of the nation's top coaches, Mallory has professionally competed in American Rhythm and American Smooth, and 9-Dance.

BETSY BRYANT

TECHNOLOGY RISK, ERNST & YOUNG

Home to me means safety, comfort, and support. It’s a place where I can be my true self and where I am surrounded by people who care and want to see me grow. I have been so blessed with an incredible home and the love of family and friends who uplift me every day. Part of my home is sitting in the audience today, and I hope I have made you proud!

Jack Gardner is a North Carolina native who moved to Nashville in search of a diverse and dedicated community in which he found at The Ballroom of Nashville! He began teaching at the age of 16 and currently competes professionally in Rising Star/Open Latin.

BENNY CUNNINGHAM

“Home” means love, protection, family and “Safe Haven” to me represents unity and love. I’m dancing to help bring awareness and highlight opportunities for more people to get involved in helping shelter families.

Laynee Day has spent the entirety of her life in fine arts, singing, dancing, acting, competing, directing, and teaching. She has dedicated her career to studying fine arts, graduating with a B.A. in Applied Voice.Laynee is currently competing on the West Coast Swing, Country, and Ballroom circuits.

ANGIE LAWLESS

OWNER/ ATTORNEY, WAGON WHEEL TITLE & ESCROW LOCKLAND LAW GROUP, PLC

Home to me is the place where I can let my guard down where I can rest, recharge, and just be myself. Everyone deserves that kind of place not only as shelter from the elements, but as refuge from the harsh realities of life. With the stability of a roof overhead, people can do extraordinary things: organize their lives, maintain employment, find sobriety, and step fully into being contributing members of society. I’m truly honored to be part of tonight, and to support Safe Haven in helping more families find their home.

Michael Hosale was born and raised in Nashville. Just like Michael, his lessons are one in a million! Michael has been competing, coaching and training his students to be the best they can be for almost 30 years. He teaches all four styles of dancing, American rhythm and smooth, and International Latin and Standard.

MARIA RECIO

AFFILIATE BROKER, COMPASS RE

Home is where I can finally breathe and just be myself - where it feels safe, cozy, and full of life. It’s not just a place, it’s that feeling of peace when you walk through the door and everyone deserves to feel at home. If me getting on stage, learning some moves, and maybe embarrassing myself a little helps raise money for that, then I’m all in.

Sean Lyons began ballroom dancing at the age of 13. Dancing International Latin, he competed domestically and internationally representing Argentina throughout South America, ranking top three in the country. He regularly appears on local television and made appearances in group performances on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

SAFE HAVEN STAFF

Abdi, Bianca, Byjan, Cal, Casey, Drew, Fi, Grant, Jennifer, Kaylee, Kelsey, Rebecca, & Sarah: Home to us means love, support and safety. It’s a place to build memories and share lives. We love helping our families find their ‘home’ both physically and emotionally. Having a safe place to call home is so important to all our families and we are grateful to all of you for supporting us as we do that for our families.

Kalai Myric is a Minnesota girl who relocated to Nashville for school in 2012. Kalai has trained with some of the top coaches in the world and has achieved 4 Dvida teaching certifications. Kalai is passionate about making dancing fun and accessible to everyone who has a desire to learn.

PROUDLY SUPPORTS SAFE HAVEN FAMILY SHELTER

A portion of our proceeds tonight will go towards the great work that Safe Haven Family Shelter is doing in Middle Tennessee!

CODE: GIVEBACK-JYOGQ

VALID 9/21-10/4

*SPONSORS AS OF 9/9/25*

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SAFE HAVEN DANCE TEAM!

The entire Safe Haven Family Shelter staff is comprised of people who bring their expertise, passion and dedication to our mission every day We are proud of each and every one of them, and recognize all of their incredible work to make sure families have a safe place to call home.

We are excited to have a group of our staff dancing tonight!They wanted to take the dance floor to celebrate Safe Haven and show their support of all of the other amazing dancers tonight. We are so proud of them!

Special thank you to the Ballroom of Nashville professional instructor Kalai Myrick for coaching and choreographing the dance!

And while the Safe Haven Dance Team is not officially competing for any awards tonight, they win hands down for the biggest hearts! We hope you will support their efforts with a donation.

DONATE IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFE HAVEN DANCE TEAM!

2010

ALUMNI DANCERS

HEATHER BYRD

MANUEL

DANIELLE PECK

JIM SHULMAN

KELLY SUTTON

TED WELCH

2011

BETH ALEXANDER

HOWARD GENTRY

AMY & OWEN JOYNER

ARNOLD MYINT

MIKE PIGOTT

HILARY WILLIAMS

2012

SHEYLA PAZ HICKS

GERALD MCGRATH

CHET PARLAVECCHIO

JOHN STEELE

BOB TURKE

BILL VANDIVER

DEB VARALLO

2013

JOHN DWYER

DARRELL FREEMAN

KATE HERMAN

MEREDITH LIBBEY

VICKI YATES

2014

JERRY BOSTELMAN

FRANCIS S. GUESS

RHORI JOHNSTON

BRENNA MADER

DEBORAH STORY

LARI WHITE

2015

ANITA CASH

KYAH HILLIS

CHRIS HYNDMAN

RENATA SOTO

CHRISTOPHER STARK

MARCUS WHITNEY

2016

MANEET CHAUHAN

MARK DEUTSCHMANN

MARCELA GOMEZ

MARCIA MASULLA

JAMES THREALKILL

KEN WILLIAMSON

KYLE ALLEN

2017

BILLY DAWSON

JAMIE ROBINSON

TRICIA SPEHR

VIVEK SURTI

CHRISTIE WILSON

2018

MONI ADVANI

ANGELA BOSTELMAN

LADONNA BOYD

SAVANNAH GRIMM

MARTHA IVESTER

MANISH SHAH

CHRIS SIMONSEN

SHANE TARLETON

SCOTT BREECE

2019

MIGNON FRANCOIS

BECKY HARRIS

HAYLEY HOVIOUS

BRAD PETERSON

GEORGE ROWE

2020-21

HARRY L. ALLEN

JENNIFER HILLEN

KEARSTIN PATTERSON

JUSTIN PITT

CANDICE REED

2022

LEISA GILL

KINDAL JUMPER

JAMES MARSH

JOSHUA MUNDY

BILL O’BRYAN

BETH WITTE

2023

SANDI BORCHETTA

HAL CATO

TONYA MITCHEM GRINDON

SHANNAN HATCH

PAUL NOVAK

GERELL WEBB

2024

DAVE BROWN

CAROLYN SMITH BRYANT

JABARI GREER

DR. MICHAEL SMITHERMAN

RAMIRRA STACKHOUSE

NICOLE STACKHOUSE

WE ARE PARTNERING WITH AMFUND TO BRING YOU ONCE IN A LIFETIME BUCKET LIST TRIPS!

ITALY’S ALMAFI COAST

GREEK ISLAND ODYSSEY SANTORINI, MYKONOS AND ATHENS

ICELAND: LAND OF THE VIKINGS

CROATIA: A DALMATIAN COAST ODYSSEY

SCOTLAND LOCHS & LEGENDS

BAVARIAN DREAMS: A MUNICH ESCAPE

ALASKA CRUISE EXPLORER OF THE NORTH

SUN SPLASHED ADVENTURE IN SPAIN: BARCELONA AND MALLORCA

SCAN FOR PACKAGE DETAILS

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook