Dr. Gillespie is deeply committed to advancing both the nonprofit sector and academic community through extensive service and leadership roles. She currently serves on the boards of several prominent organizations, including The Arc Midsouth, The Memphis Challenge, Our Youth Memphis, and Academic Women in Public Administration. Demonstrating her dedication to women’s philanthropy, she co-founded and continues to serve on the board of The Women’s Giving Collective, an organization dedicated to empowering women donors and amplifying their
impact in the community.

In addition to her board service, Dr. Gillespie actively supports students and emerging professionals by providing mentorship, personalized career guidance, and professional development assistance. She regularly helps students navigate the job market by writing letters of recommendation, advising on CVs, resumes, and cover letters, and offering strategic support during job searches. Her commitment to student success extends to her service on a doctoral candidate’s dissertation committee at the University of Memphis, where she contributes her expertise to advance scholarly research.

Within the nonprofit sector, Dr. Gillespie leverages her skills to bolster fund development initiatives, assisting organizations in crafting effective fundraising strategies that sustain and expand their missions. At the University of Memphis, she serves as the fundraising chair for her department, leading efforts to secure resources that enhance academic programs and research. Moreover, she founded and serves as faculty chair of the AFP UofM Collegiate Chapter, a registered student organization dedicated to cultivating future nonprofit leaders through hands-on Fundraising experience and engagement with local nonprofit organizations. Through these roles, Dr. Gillespie exemplifies a holistic approach to service that bridges academic, professional, and Community spheres.

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