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Contact: Peter Poon Kwong, poonkwong@bgcsctn.org
150+ Youth Development Professionals Gather for Regional All-Staff Training at Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County
Boys & Girls Club Leaders stop for a quick photo at the Regional All Staff Training in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, TN. — February 13, 2026 — More than 150 youth development professionals from Middle Tennessee, Rutherford County, and South Central Tennessee gathered at Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County in Murfreesboro for a Regional All-Staff Training focused on leadership, professional growth, and strengthening outcomes for young people. After a lengthy hiatus, the regional training offered a welcome chance for Club staff across Middle Tennessee to reconnect, learn alongside one another, and sharpen their skills.
The full-day training brought staff from every level of the organization into one space, from frontline youth development professionals to site leaders, program directors, and executive leadership. Everyone shared the same goal: to keep raising the bar for what kids experience at our Clubs.
Brandee Pasisano engages with Staff during a breakout session
The agenda featured keynote speakers Dr. Lisa Hurst, BGCA Vice President of the Southeast Region, and motivational speaker Mari Ramsey. The day also included remarks from CEOs Ginny Wright, Sheryl Chesnutt, and Eric Higgs, as well as Robyn Perry, BGCA Director of Organizational Development. Multiple training tracks, staff recognition, an executive roundtable, and dedicated time for professional development planning rounded out the program.
Rutherford County CEO Sheryl Chesnutt, Middle Tennessee CEO Eric Higgs, South Central Tennessee CEO Ginny Wright, and Dr. Lisa Hurst pose for a photo during the Regional All-Staff Training
Training sessions focused on core areas of youth development, including trauma-informed practices, programming in your space, behavior support management, the Active Participatory Approach, communication and crucial conversations, and HR fundamentals. Each session was designed to be practical, giving staff strategies they can use immediately to support kids academically, socially, and emotionally.
Carrika Washington leads a hands-on training exercise with Club staff during the Regional All-Staff Training
The morning keynote was delivered by Dr. Lisa Hurst, a 40-year leader in the Boys & Girls Club movement. Ginny Wright, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee, introduced Dr. Lisa Hurst and reflected on her own early career as a Club Director and how Hurst’s mentorship helped shape her leadership journey.
Dr. Lisa Hurst shared that her connection to the Club began early—she was just three years old when she learned to swim through the organization. As one of six children, the Club became a steady presence in her life. She credited a swim coach who became a mentor to her, one of the first adults to recognize her potential and speak it out loud—reinforcing that with support and education, she could go as far as she was willing to work.
Hurst’s career grew from lifeguard and swim instructor to Club Director, Program Director, Resource Development leader, and eventually President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley—becoming the first female CEO in her organization’s history. Her message to staff centered on leadership rooted in service.
Dr Lisa Hurst addresses a room of over 150 Club Staff
“Leadership is stewardship, not power,” Hurst said. “How you show up as a leader is what you set into motion.”
She encouraged staff to think about the impact they have in the small moments—moments that may not stand out at the time, but can shape a young person’s future.
“Your story is not waiting at the finish line—it’s happening right now,” she said. “Our kids need all you can give. You are changing lives every single day.”
During the session, participants were invited to share one word that captures the legacy they hope to build. Words like integrity, connection, compassion, innovation, trust, empowerment, and possibility echoed across the room.
The midday keynote featured Mari Ramsey, motivational speaker, author of Fostered for Greatness, worship leader, and foster care advocate. Introduced by Rutherford County CEO Sheryl Chesnutt, Ramsey spoke about spending nine months in foster care and the caring mentors who helped redirect his life.
Motivational keynote speaker Mari Ramsey shares his foster care journey and how caring mentors helped him find his purpose
He shared how a foster parent held him accountable for his academic performance and rewarded his effort with his first guitar—a gift that helped set him on a path toward discovering his purpose.
Ramsey introduced what he calls the “Recipe of Four G’s,” a reminder to youth development professionals to keep showing up for young people with consistency and care.
“Be someone’s good,” Ramsey said. “Help young people find their footing over and over again.”
He credited youth development professionals with providing the stability and encouragement that can change a child’s trajectory, and he challenged attendees to keep being that steady presence for the kids who need it most.
Later in the day, leadership from across Tennessee gathered for an executive roundtable facilitated by Dr. Hurst. The conversation gave staff a chance to hear directly from leaders about what drives them, what keeps them in the movement, and how they stay grounded in the mission. One of the most memorable moments came when a staff member asked, “What makes you stay in the movement and dedicate your years to the Clubs?”
Leaders from Clubs across Tennessee take part in a roundtable discussion
Josh Campbell, Chief Operations Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee, shared a story about receiving a letter from a young person during a Club program—one that captured the lasting difference it makes when a child feels accepted and seen. CEOs across the roundtable also reflected on their own journeys, including the “mission moments” that reaffirm why this work matters. The session left both staff and leadership encouraged to keep striving to be the best for the kids who need them most.
The day concluded with a workshop led by Robyn Perry, BGCA Director of Organizational Development, focused on practical professional development planning. Perry introduced the 70/20/10 approach, emphasizing growth through experience, coaching, and formal learning. The framework helped attendees connect personal development goals to broader organizational priorities and leave with clear next steps for their own professional growth.
By the end of the day, one thing was clear: when Clubs come together, the impact multiplies. This Regional All-Staff Training served as a reminder that the work happening across Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee isn’t routine. It’s personal. It’s demanding. And for the young people served each day, it can be life-changing.
About Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee
Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee works to secure statewide funding and resources for local Clubs, helping them empower all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee and the state’s local Clubs envision a future where Boys & Girls Clubs inspire every child to achieve success and encourage generations of kids to engage with their communities in meaningful ways.
For more information, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee.
