Carl to Serve as Books from Birth President

Former strategy consultant brings 20-plus years of experience in multiple fields to the office

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today announced Theresa Carl as president of the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF).

The former Strategy Consultant at Solutions Simplified brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, relationship building, resource connecting and creative marketing to GBBF. She will focus on developing strategies for promoting and strengthening the statewide Imagination Library program, established in 2004 in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

“The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is one of the most effective ways to get books into the hands of children,” Crissy Haslam said. “Theresa is perfect for this position. Not only is she exceptionally qualified to run the program, but she also has a passion for its mission to foster a love for learning and reading beginning at birth.”

The foundation partners with Imagination Library grassroots organizers in each county to provide fundraising, volunteer management and public relations support, and it raises both public and private funds to support its operation and to provide assistance to distressed counties.

A native of Union City, Carl has a B.A. with distinction in Political Science and Urban Studies from Rhodes College.

“The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation, working in partnership with the dedicated grassroots organizers of the Imagination Library programs across the state, is having a profound and lasting impact by helping to instill a love of learning and reading in Tennessee’s young children ” Carl said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help Tennessee continue as a champion for early literacy and learning.”

Carl has worked as Director of Development for LEAD Public Schools, Inc.; Vice President of Fund Development for Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee; and Director of Development for the First Center for Visual Arts.

She has been also served as president of The Junior League of Nashville; Rhodes College trustee; as an alumni board member of Leadership Nashville; and as a current member of the board of directors of The Rotary Club