The Bright Start Tennessee Network Change Maker Awards celebrate bold, dedicated and visionary leaders who have made a significant, positive impact on Tennessee’s youngest children and their families.
We’re seeking individuals involved in their community’s Bright Start work who have gone above and beyond to advance early childhood care and education systems through one or more of the three Bright Start domains: early learning, health/mental health, and family supports.
Change Makers are resilient and passionate. They are the movers, shakers, doers, and bridge-builders who challenge the status quo, inspire others to action, and create measurable momentum in early care and education. Whether they’re organizing their communities, shaping policies, or driving initiatives that improve outcomes for children birth through third grade, these leaders have left a lasting mark on Tennessee’s early childhood landscape.
The 2025 Changemakers are… Drum Roll Please!!!!
Jennifer Andrews, Director of Early Childhood Strategies at Chattanooga 2.0!
Jennifer is the quiet force behind so much progress for Hamilton County’s youngest children. She’s a visionary collaborator, a trusted guide for community partners, a champion for families, and a builder of strong, shared systems that help children thrive.
Her colleagues say it best:
“She turns big visions into meaningful action — always with families at the center.”
“She keeps us focused, working together, and dreaming bigger for our kids.”
“Her leadership brings people together and creates real, lasting change.”
Jennifer embodies the very best of collective impact leadership:
- Visionary yet grounded
- Trusted collaborator
- Data-informed and thoughtful
- Adaptive and persistent
- Bridge-builder across sectors
Lori Humphreys, Vice President of Child Care Services at the YMCA of East Tennessee
Lori is the visionary and driving force behind some of East Tennessee’s most innovative early childhood initiatives. From launching a child care program for Knox County Schools district employees to bringing to life an intergenerational early learning center inside a senior living facility in partnership with Hillcrest Healthcare, Lori is reshaping what child care can look like in her community.
Her colleagues describe her as:
“A steadfast, passionate champion for young children.”
“A leader who pairs bold vision with thoughtful, detailed implementation.”
“The first person we call when we need insight or guidance on anything child care.”
“A servant leader whose kindness and commitment leave a lasting impact.”
Lori embodies exactly what makes a Change Maker: persistence, creativity, and an unwavering belief in what children and families deserve.
The Memphis & Shelby County Pre-K Champions
This year’s third of three Bright Start Tennessee Network Change Maker Award honors not just one leader, but an entire movement — the countless educators, advocates, business leaders, policymakers, and parents who have spent 20 years strengthening and growing a high-quality, publicly funded Pre-K system in Memphis and Shelby County.
At our Align: Vision to Action policy summit, we brought 30 or so movers and shakers from Memphis onto the stage to celebrate all the hundreds across sectors and generations who have played a role in the progress.
Their collective action and long-term commitment have produced remarkable results:
- $90+ million invested by local government over the past 6 years
- 25% (3300) of 3-year-old and 60% (7660) of 4-year olds enrolled in high-quality Pre-K
- New 2025 City/County joint ordinance expands eligibility for gov’t funding to middle-income families, while prioritizing low-income families — adding $2.5M to the annual $16M recurring commitment
- 58% of the Pre-K participants enter school ready for kindergarten compared to just 38% for children who have not had a quality pre k experience
Today, First8Memphis is the “keeper of the flame” of the movement, leading local ECE collective action, including coordinating with TQEE and the Bright Start Tennessee Network for statewide advocacy.
Congratulations to all the Memphis Pre-K Champions — a powerful example of what persistence, passion, and collective action can achieve for children.
