Sarah Nycole Gentry
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Coalition-building professional with experience expanding community engagement and developing relationships across East Tennessee. Currently serving as a Coalition Coordinator with Safer TN, with a proven ability to grow networks, engage diverse stakeholders, and strengthen community-based initiatives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
East Tennessee Coalition Coordinator
Voices for a Safer Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
10.2025 - Current
- Cultivated and managed partnerships with Rural Health Association of Tennessee, Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, civic clubs like Rotaries, Kiwanis, Lions Club, and community organizations including City of Knoxville's Mayor's Roundtable and Project TLC, significantly expanding Safer TN's coalition and grassroots presence.
- Represent Safer TN at community events and distribute firearm-safety resources, contributing to the distribution of more than 3,500 gun locks statewide and expanding the organization’s reach to families and communities across Tennessee.
- Recruit, coordinate, and support volunteers in regional outreach efforts, creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and organizations to engage with with Safer TN's mission.
- Coordinated Safer TN's presence at community events, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Tennessee Smokies' game, and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, enhancing community engagement and visibility.
Assistant to the Board President
Cancer Survivor Care
03.2025 - 09.2025
- Supported special projects aligned with board initiatives, enhancing program development and strategic planning efforts.
- Created engaging content for social media and website to enhance online presence.
- Planned and executed outreach efforts, securing sponsorships and partnerships to expand organizational reach.
- Provided communication support via email and phone, facilitating effective interactions between organization and Board President.
Youth Development Specialist
YMCA
Knoxville, TN
11.2024 - 05.2025
- Foster positive, developmentally appropriate relationships with students to encourage growth across physical, cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional domains.
- Assist in setting and tracking weekly academic and developmental goals to promote student progress.
- Collaborate with the Site Director and YMCA staff to develop culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with state standards.
- Assisted Site Director in teaching, curriculum development, and supervising students in summer camp program to ensure quality educational experiences.
- Identify and respond to potential program challenges using effective problem-solving strategies.
- Maintain strong, respectful communication and relationships with parents, students, and staff, modeling the YMCA core values.
- Documented incidents and accidents accurately and promptly, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and effective communication.
- Took on additional responsibilities to strengthen program effectiveness and enhance student engagement.
Program Director
Lifelong Learning Collective
Knoxville, TN
06.2021 - 10.2024
- Develop and implement strategic plans for program.
- Initiate and set goals for programs according to strategic organizational objectives.
- Manage budgets and allocate resources to meet program objectives.
- Develop budgets and operational plans.
- Foster relationships with community organizations to enhance support for program mission and increase engagement.
- Coordinate outreach efforts to elevate program visibility among potential participants and partner organizations.
- Create and manage marketing and social media strategies to strengthen organizational presence and outreach.
- Brainstorm ideas for programs and future endeavors of the organization.
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities related to industry trends or emerging best practices in the field.
Office Manager
Property Damage Appraisers
Jackson, MS
04.2015 - 01.2020
- Reconciled accounts and managed documents to ensure smooth office operations.
- Managed operational tasks remotely from Knoxville, TN.
- Generated reports to provide leadership with insights on profits, operations, and key metrics.
- Fielded questions from staff, customers, and clients using phone and email.
- Built collaborative working relationships within the organization to achieve goals.
- Coordinated and dispatched appraisers to job sites to meet project deadlines.
- Collaborated with team members remotely from Knoxville, TN.
Research Assistant
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
01.2012 - 08.2012
- Facilitated research inquiries for faculty, staff, and students through targeted reference interviews.
- Supported technical and physical inquiries of library patrons to enhance their research experience.
- Evaluated database content for relevance while working under subject librarians' guidance.
Investigator
Mississippi Department of Employment Security
Hattiesburg, MS
08.2009 - 07.2011
- Conducted interviews concerning allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Prepared succinct, sound, well-reasoned and high-quality interview and investigation summaries and reports.
- Analyzed complex information, weighed evidence, and determined credibility to develop logical conclusions.
- Advanced from Intake to Inquiry, then Appeals, culminating in role as Investigator, demonstrating growth and adaptability within organization.
- Managed multiple cases simultaneously while ensuring deadlines were met.
- Facilitated filing and management of appeals for claimants, employers, and judges, streamlining the appeals process.
- Guided claimants and employers through unemployment benefits process, ensuring clarity and understanding of procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - History and Religion
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS01-2009
Master of Information and Library Sciences (M.I.S.) -
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TNSkills
- Stakeholder communication
- Policy implementation
- Every Action proficiency
- Research development
- Business management
- Operations management
- Salesforce proficiency
- WordPress
- Social media
- Canva proficiency
- Office Suite expertise
- QuickBooks proficiency
Other Achievements
- Member of Arts & Culture Alliance, 12/2019
- Member of A1LabArts, 10/2019, Board Favorite for mail-in art show 2020
Timeline
East Tennessee Coalition Coordinator
Voices for a Safer Tennessee
10.2025 - Current
Assistant to the Board President
Cancer Survivor Care
03.2025 - 09.2025
Youth Development Specialist
YMCA
11.2024 - 05.2025
Program Director
Lifelong Learning Collective
06.2021 - 10.2024
Office Manager
Property Damage Appraisers
04.2015 - 01.2020
Research Assistant
University of Tennessee
01.2012 - 08.2012
Investigator
Mississippi Department of Employment Security
08.2009 - 07.2011
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - History and Religion
University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Information and Library Sciences (M.I.S.) -
University of Tennessee