At the heart of the TFC is our desire to create more leaders with impact and influence. Our student executive board leads all of our work as a center, supported by student committees, our staff, and advisory board. Together, they strategize and execute TFC programs and initiatives throughout the year.
Director
Mario serves as the founding Director of the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures at Vanderbilt University, a new hub that serves as a resource and thought leader for people across the university interested in combining revenue-generating businesses with social impact objectives. Most recently, he was the CEO of Emerge and founder of Contigo Financial, a socially-responsible consumer lender headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. His management experience includes finance, education and consulting in three different countries. He was a Fellow of Vanderbilt University’s Cal Turner program for Moral Leadership in the Professions and helped develop a hybrid housing-microfinance model to finance mortgage needs of people at the base of the pyramid in Central America. Mario serves on various boards including the Vanderbilt University Credit Union, ConexioÌn Americas, the Nashville Food Project, and formerly the Nashville Social Enterprise Alliance. He earned an AB from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Kathleen serves as the Assistant Director for the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures, where emerging leaders have common ground to explore and integrate their desire for meaningful, sustainable social impact with practical business strategy. Kathleen leads the TFC’s Emerging Impact Leaders program and facilitates Vanderbilt’s engagement with the Stanford-based University Innovation Fellows program, and Owen’s Board Fellows program through 100% Owen.
Prior to joining the TFC staff in 2016, Kathleen’s work focused on college access for first generation immigrant students to pursue higher education, leadership development, and career success in Nashville with the YMCA Latino Achievers program. Vanderbilt first brought Kathleen to Nashville, when she studied Human & Organizational Development and Spanish. After several years in non-profit work, Kathleen received a Master’s in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University’s Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership. She is a member of the Nashville Mayor’s New American Advisory Council and participated as a Fellow in the Nashville Institute for Faith & Work’s Gotham leadership program.
Kathleen’s work in Nashville reflects her deep passion for creating sustainable and strategic partnerships across sectors for community impact on both the individual and collective level. For these reasons, she loves to partner with amazing TFC students to advance this work and cultivate strong leaders of systemic change.
Graduate Associate
M.Ed. and M.A. Latin American Studies '21
Graduate Associate
M.Ed. Community Development and Action '22
Niccolo’s approach to any project or job is centered around the notion that mutual care is violence prevention. This stems from early interest in violence free living while studying abroad in Paris and supporting refugee housing and food distribution to their most recent work at a domestic violence/sexual assault organization in Durham, NC as a Rape Prevention Education Coordinator. They believe that any action can have unintended impacts on individuals, communities, and systems. Acknowledging what power dynamics are at play and how does that influence action within any system or organization is critical to sustainable changes and outcomes. Niccolo has worked within various coalitions and non profits tackling issues such as gender variance, systemic racism, homelessness, immigration and liberation education.
Niccolo is an incoming M.Ed. Community Development & Action student, as well as, their first semester serving as a Graduate Associate for the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures – with a focus on the Center’s Social Impact Certificate. Having completed an international social enterprise forum through Stanford, they’re excited to bring an intersectional lens on how businesses are analyzing their impact on communities and how to be apart of inclusive social change. The concept of a social venture and their framework used to invest in people through the alleviation of an obstacle or barrier is groundbreaking.
Undergraduate Associate
B.S. Human & Organizational Development | B.A. Asian Studies '21
Esther is part of the Class of 2021 at Vanderbilt University studying Human Organizational Development and Asian Studies with a minor in Engineering Management. She takes great pride in beginning her life’s journey in the Grand Canyon State, Arizona, to which she also calls home, though currently residing in Dallas, Texas. Upon entering college, Esther, like many other incoming students, struggled to find her true interests and passions, but after hearing about the existence of a market-driven enterprise fueled by thoughts of social impact, Esther’s own social impact passions and curiosity were piqued. It wasn’t long until she found herself quickly immersed with the center as just a first-year. She became the Undergraduate Associate at the TFC aiding Megan with various works ranging from creative projects including video creation to operations assistance such as CRM management. On top of her involvement with the TFC, Esther boasts a wide range of activities as well some of which include the Vanderbilt Student Government, Women in Biztech, Circle K, and Chi Omega. Through these assortments of activities, she grew a passion for serving others’ needs as well as making real change in the world. The TFC has been a large part of her maturation during this growth helping her channel her ambitions through the lens of social impact. Her story and testimony stand as a success story for the work of the TFC and their mission.
Executive Board Chair
MBA '21
I grew up on a farm in Kentucky and have always loved learning about how things work. The first time I attended Vanderbilt University, I obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, with minors in Engineering Management and Studio Art. I applied that knowledge as a design engineer with an architectural engineering firm in San Francisco, CA, and most recently as a manufacturing engineer with Lockheed Martin outside of Lexington, KY. The differences in those two experiences created a deep curiosity about why the two regions in which I had worked looked so different. Why did capital go to San Francisco instead of Columbus, OH or Charlotte, NC? How could the Bay Area be so wealthy, but also host a humanitarian crisis over housing? What were the real and root reasons behind major corporations abandoning states like Kentucky, especially in rural areas, and why hadn’t anything replaced them? These questions led me back to Vanderbilt and to the Owen Graduate School of Management where I am pursuing an MBA and aim to understand the decisions businesses make regarding their clients, bottom-line, innovation, and future, as well as the role of business in identifying and solving social problems.
Over my last year at Vanderbilt and through my experiences with the Turner Family Center, I have learned more about social impact, enterprise, and ventures than I learned in the preceding 25 years. I jumped right in when school started and involved myself with the TFC in multiple ways – committee member, Emerging Impact Leaders Fellow, Board Fellow, and Board Member of Net Impact. The TFC has given me the opportunity for hands-on application of what I have learned in school, while being an avenue to learn skills that aren’t gained in the classroom – how to motivate people, how to lead without power, how to catalyze change, how to effectively delegate. Additionally, I’ve been able to explore the spectrum of social impact careers and see the diversity of the space and its participants.
I’m grateful and excited to take on the role of Executive Board Chair and to think strategically about the future of the TFC and our impact on our local and broader communities.
Academics & Experiences co-chair
MBA '21
I am an MBA student at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management concentrating in human & organizational performance. Prior to business school, I worked as a human capital consultant at Deloitte Consulting. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas which makes me a proud Texan and lifelong Spurs basketball fan. In 2015, I graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Policy Studies.
The TFC was a big reason why I decided to attend Vanderbilt. I have a strong interest in public service and social impact. During undergrad, I was involved in public policy research and worked for several non-profits focused on education in refugee and economically disadvantaged communities. My capstone project focused on promoting civic engagement among Houston’s Hispanic youth. Being a member of the TFC has given me the opportunity to connect with a social mission and grow as a leader. It has also helped me engage with a community of likeminded individuals working towards the social good.
As the Academics and Experiences co-chair, I look forward to helping the TFC continue to put forth programming that connects students with its mission. I am also excited to launch the TFC’s new Social Impact Certificate.
Academics & Experiences co-chair
MBA '21
I am an MBA student at the Owen Graduate School of Management concentrating in Human & Organizational Performance and Strategy. I grew up in Cary, NC, and after graduating from the University of South Carolina with degrees in Finance and Management, spent three years in finance roles in the banking and automotive financing industries. I came back to school to pursue my MBA to transition into a career in human resources to combine my quantitative analytical background with a passion for empowering others to reach their potential.
That passion for empowering others was sparked by the Shelton Leadership Challenge, a youth leadership development camp through NC State University that was founded by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Hugh Shelton. I spent two summers in high school as a student at Shelton, followed by four more as a mentor, and more recently have helped as a mentor at the National Leadership Academy based out of Denver, CO. My experience in youth leadership development continuously shows me the value of providing individuals with the foundational tools to succeed while empowering them to build on that success.
The Turner Family Center’s mission centered on empowerment by using market-driven forces to alleviate poverty resonated with me immediately after arriving at Owen, as well as the opportunity to tackle complex problems with absolutely incredible students from across Vanderbilt’s graduate schools. This past year, I was able to help deliver TFC programming as a part of the Academics and Experiences committee and spent a week in Mexico City partnering with social impact startups through Project Pyramid. I will be Co-Chairing Academics and Experiences this year with my good friend Daniel Cortez as we roll out the Social Impact Certificate.
Social Ventures Summit Chair
M.Ed '21
Special Projects and Consulting Chair
Masters of Public Health '21
I grew up about three hours away in a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. For my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate enough to go to my dream school—Vanderbilt University. After I graduated from Vanderbilt with a dual degree in Medicine, Health, and Society and Religious Studies, I worked in a small medical coding audit consulting firm and later at Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine. Currently, I am pursing a Masters of Public Health, where I also serve as my cohort’s class representative.
Why public health? The health of one person affects the health of everyone else. Public health interacts with almost every arena of our lives, from the economy and the environment to business decisions and personal finance. There is no personal health without adequate public health.
Why TFC? Traditionally, most public health efforts have been massive, government-funded initiatives like vaccination drives and (more recently) social distancing. I find myself interested in how the private sector can come up with sustainable, market driven solutions to public health problems that might be difficult to tackle in the traditional ways.
Why Special Projects and Consulting? Public health and consulting have more in common than you may think. Both center around problem solving and innovation, and combining the two can lead to beautiful things.
If you are interested in either Special Projects or Social Enterprise Consulting, I look forward to working with you!
Brand & Marketing Chair
M.Ed '21
I am a native Nashvillian and a second year Leadership and Organizational Performance student at Peabody. I’m excited to be fulfilling my childhood dream to be a Commodore! In 2013 I graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. I then went on to become an entrepreneur opening a French Macaron shop here in Nashville. Over the past 7 years I have worked for various small businesses, developing my passion for helping business grow.
I found the TFC early in my first year and knew that their programing would be a great match for me. As an experiential learner the Social Enterprise Consulting program was a perfect fit. It allowed me to connect my classroom work with the “real world.” As the Brand and Marketing chair I am looking forward to building on the work of those who came before me and continue to grow the image and reach of the TFC. In my free time you can find me hanging out with my two rescue pups and my fiancé or cheering on the Nashville Predators!
Social Startups Chair
MBA '21
Impact Investing Chair
MBA '21
Project Pyramid Chair
MBA '21
I am an MBA student from India and have been very fortunate to experience a unique time in its history – the liberalization of the economy and the subsequent lifting of 300 million plus people out of poverty. Experiencing this gradual yet massive change in action has been the driving force behind shaping my values and perspectives that are centered around empowerment of people and communities
I graduated from IIT Madras in 2009 and worked as a management consultant helping some of the world’s renowned companies manage their financial risk after the Global Financial Crisis. Quite opposite to the rest of the world, India was teeming with energy and economic activity at the time. Post 5 years of professional and financial success, I decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge and co-founded Sixty Plus – a social enterprise focused on people above the age of 60. Today the organization has 1000+ members and is focused helping them make a smooth transition from full time employment to retirement while remaining engaged with society.
Pursuing an MBA at Owen and being a member of the Turner Family Centre has been one of the most diverse and enriching experiences of my life. I aspire to build on the legacy and accomplishments of Project Pyramid and the Turner Family Centre by working with some of the brightest and most motivated people to help solve problems of poverty and access around the world.
100% Owen Chair
MBA '21
I have had a passion to make an impact in the healthcare industry since my exposure to extreme poverty and a lack of access to healthcare on a mission trip to Guatemala in 2010. This experience sparked my desire to help those less fortunate and drove me to pursue a career in healthcare. After obtaining my undergraduate degrees in Healthcare Studies and Business Administration as well as four years in Federal health consulting, I decided to expand my education so that I would be able to make a direct impact on the lives of others. I am currently working toward my MBA in Healthcare, Strategy, and Operations at Owen Graduate School of Management.
Upon joining the Owen community, I was drawn to 100% Owen’s mission to enrich the Owen experience for students, faculty, and staff through the promotion and organization of community service activities and fundraising opportunities in Nashville. As the President of 100% Owen, it is my personal goal to ensure that all members of the Owen community have the opportunity to leverage their personal strengths and give back to our community in a way that is meaningful to them.
Learn more about 100% Owen here.
Net Impact President
MBA '21
Tia Secasiu is a rising second year in the MBA program. After spending 6 years working in supply chain and development in the apparel industry, she returned to business school to study Marketing and Strategy. As President of Net Impact, she is looking forward to furthering the idea that businesses can support sustainability and responsible practices while also achieving corporate business goals.
Learn more about Net Impact here.
Faculty Director
Owen
Cal Turner Professor of Moral Leadership Across the Professions for Vanderbilt University
Ph.D. Business Administration, University of North Carolina
Dr. Victor joined the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management faculty from the Institute for Management Development International (IMD), in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he was Professor of Management and Director of the Program for Management Development. Prior to IMD, Dr. Victor was on the faculties of the University of North Carolina and the University of Nebraska. In addition to serving on the Advisory Board for the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures, Dr. Victor leads the Project Pyramid program.
Manager, Human Capital Consulting at Deloitte
Jake received his undergraduate degree from Centre College in Danville, KY. He began his professional career in McAllen, TX as a high school teacher at PSJA High School while serving in Teach for America. He continued his career as an educator at KIPP Academy Nashville before entering the corporate world as a recruiter at Asurion. While at Owen, Jake served as President of Project Pyramid, was active in Net Impact, and served as Chairman of the Honor Council. He graduated from Owen in 2015 and is currently a Senior Consultant in Human Capital at Deloitte.
Strategic Planning Director, Sustainable Manufacturing & Sourcing at Nike
Rachel Taplinger is an experienced sustainability professional with a demonstrated history in the consumer goods sector. She is currently the Director of Strategy for Sustainable Manufacturing & Sourcing at Nike. Prior to Nike, she developed foundational sustainability programs at both Revlon and The Estée Lauder Companies.
Prior to working at ELC, she spent three years working in education reform at The New York City Department of Education and its nonprofit arm, The Fund for Public Schools. She also worked at Edelman in communications.
Rachel has her MBA in sustainability and strategy from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University and a Bachelors in Psychology and Communications from Tufts University.
Manager, Natural Capital Stewardship at International Paper
As Manager, Natural Capital Stewardship at International Paper, Matt works across teams to shape strategy and drive execution around environmental and social impact. Specifically, he leads IP’s water stewardship strategy as part of the company’s Vision 2030 goals. Earlier in his career, Matt served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru, and also did international economic development work based in Washington, DC. Matt has an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and a BA in International Relations from Colgate University. Travel, the outdoors, and music (hearing/seeing/making) are some of his favorite things. Matt lives in Memphis, Tennessee.
TFC intentionally builds relationships with businesses who are motivated to use their resources as a catalyst for the alleviation of poverty. Our partners in the local community, throughout the nation, and around the world help us increase our reach and change the status quo.
