Jim Shulman Named CEO

We are excited to announce that Nashville Vice Mayor and Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) Executive Director Jim Shulman will be our next CEO, effective June 14.

Shulman assumes the role of longtime CEO Joyce Lavery, who announced her retirement last fall. Under Lavery’s leadership, Safe Haven increased the number of families served annually by 300 percent and grew its staff from five to 30.

Shulman is a longtime champion of the organization and served as Safe Haven’s board president for three years (2008 to 2010) and has been a member of its Advisory Board for five years (2016 to 2020). Shulman also played an integral role in the agency’s last capital campaign and is a recipient of the Safe Haven Hero Award. “Safe Haven has led the way home for so many families and being a part of the organization over the years has felt like ‘home’ for me as well,” Shulman said. “I am excited and fortunate to lead this incredible organization and look forward to being a part of the integral role that Safe Haven plays in our city.”

“Our search committee worked in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management for more than six months and considered hundreds of candidates from all over the country,” Ken Williamson, Safe Haven board president, said. “Jim’s many years of support of Safe Haven and his proven experience as a leader make him a natural choice. Joyce’s retirement leaves big shoes to fill. If anyone can fill those shoes and take Safe Haven to new heights, it’s Jim.” Jim brings a long track record of leadership experience and success to Safe Haven. He has served the state of Tennessee for more than 30 years in a variety of roles, in both the executive and legislative branches. Read more about Jim’s background and experience on our website at safehaven.org.

Safe Haven Serves More Families Than Ever Before

Pivot was more than a buzzword at Safe Haven, it was a call to action to innovate and keep serving families despite the challenges we faced in 2020. Safe Haven quickly adjusted to ensure the safety of families, volunteers, and staff by closing the shelter and forming partnerships with extended stay hotels to safely continue our families housed children served shelter program and services. Our staff increased partnerships with landlords and moving companies to get families moved into housing quickly. A combo of CARES funds, Emergency Solutions Grant, and the United Way/ The Family Collective/ Department of Human Services Expansion, helped us to house more people and provide rental assistance to keep people housed. 139 Volunteers and donors families prevented from eviction stepped up to make sure 86% success rate we were able to provide families maintaining housing for a year or more after program departure food boxes, cleaning supplies and needed items to help families move into their own housing.

In 2021, we are continuing to find families a home, jobs that will sustain them, hope that will inspire them, and opportunities for the children we serve. We have not wavered from our commitment to our mission, and with your support, we will remain on the forefront of ending family homelessness.