State Board Staff

State Board staff provides board members with critical support, resources, and counsel to ensure effective decision-making. To furnish board members with the most up-to-date information, staff members conduct ongoing policy research and analysis of public education issues including instruction, student assessment, and funding. You can find contact information for the State Board staff below.

Dr. Sara Heyburn Morrison | Executive Director | 615-741-2966 | Email

Alex Anderson, Esq.| Associate General Counsel | 615-770-6908 | Email

Taylor Bates | Paralegal | 615-770-6907 | Email

Vicki Dany | Executive Administrative Assistant | 615-532-3532 | Email

Michael Deurlein | Deputy Executive Director of Policy and Research | 615-532-1776 | Email

Casey Griffin | Special Projects Manager/Executive Administrative Assistant | 615-741-2316 | Email

Nathan James | Deputy Executive Director for Legislative and External Affairs | 615-532-3528 | Email

Catherine Ann Johnson |Communications Officer| 615-741-0762 |Email

Erika Leicht| Director of Research | 615-770-6909 | Email

Todd Madison, Esq.| Senior Associate General Counsel| 615-253-2102| Email

P. Danielle Nellis, Esq. |Deputy General Counsel | 615-483-0268 | Email

Ali Gaffey Reid| Director of Engagement and Accountability| 615-837-5142| Email

Rachel Suppe | General Counsel | 615-253-5707 |  Email

Ryan Shanahan, Esq. | Associate General Counsel |615 741-4928|Email

Tisa Smith |Paralegal | 615-507-6979 | Email

Breanna Sommers |Director of Policy & Academics |615-339-4318 | Email