Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), a 501c3 organization dedicated to transforming thoughtful generosity into positive change, proudly announces the appointment of two distinguished professionals to its leadership team. Adnan Karim joins CFMT as the Vice President of Community Impact, while Katie Marchetti assumes the role of Vice President of Philanthropic Services.
Adnan Karim – Vice President of Community Impact
Adnan Karim brings his expertise to CFMT via a robust background spanning over 14 years in the social impact sector. His journey began in New York City, where he dedicated himself to improving educational outcomes for some of the nation’s most marginalized communities. As a vital member of City Year, and later as a Program Manager, Adnan spearheaded initiatives that significantly enhanced literacy and math skills among at-risk students, while cultivating environments rich in social and emotional learning and service.
Adnan’s commitment to service learning and community empowerment continued at buildOn, where he led transformative programs across 16 high schools in New York City’s South Bronx and Brooklyn as Program Director. He excelled in progressively senior roles, eventually serving as the organization’s inaugural Director of Foundation Relations and later as Chief Program Officer in the United States. His leadership helped extend educational programs nationwide and supported the construction of schools in economically challenged regions worldwide, including Nepal and Malawi.
Most recently, Adnan served as Managing Director of Human Rights Education at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. There, he was instrumental in directing the global Speak Truth to Power initiative, shaping comprehensive school models of human rights education, and leading the John Lewis Young Leaders program to inspire civic engagement among university students.
As a native of Nashville and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and New York University, Adnan’s return to his roots is not just a professional milestone but also a personal commitment to enrich his community. His vast experience, combined with a deep understanding of both global issues and local dynamics, positions him uniquely to lead our Community Impact department.
Under Adnan’s leadership, CFMT anticipates innovative approaches to its grantmaking, community engagement, and impact work. His track record in building programs and partnerships assures the organization that he will greatly enhance CFMT’s efforts to fulfill its mission of building a thriving and inclusive community.
Katie Marchetti – Vice President of Philanthropic Services
With more than two decades of expertise in international finance and law, Katie Marchetti’s exceptional background uniquely positions her to lead CFMT’s philanthropic efforts to new heights.
Katie’s professional journey includes significant roles in global financial hubs across the US and Europe, culminating in a 15-year tenure in London. Her experience at the nexus of financial markets and client relations across the Americas and EMEA, as well as her acute strategic insight, have honed her ability to identify and develop pivotal relationships and drive substantial growth. Her recent role as Managing Director and Chief Growth Officer at a Nashville-based private equity startup led to unprecedented revenue achievements and recognition on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing private companies.
Since returning to Nashville, Katie has dedicated herself to harnessing her vast network and skills to support inclusive economic growth and community engagement. Her work with venture capital firms has focused on channeling capital towards enterprises led by women and individuals from underrepresented communities, aligning seamlessly with CFMT’s mission.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Katie’s commitment to social impact is evident through her board memberships at Fisk University and Think Tennessee, as well as her co-founding of Voices for a Safer Tennessee. Her ongoing advocacy work with Reshma Saujani’s Moms First initiative showcases her dedication to systemic change in areas critical to our community’s well-being.
At CFMT, Katie will leverage her extensive background and leadership qualities to inspire greater philanthropic giving and develop innovative strategies to engage fundholders and the broader community. Her vision for philanthropy, combined with a pragmatic approach to achieving tangible results, will enhance the organization’s capacity to transform generosity into lasting positive change.
“We’re delighted to welcome Adnan Karim and Katie Marchetti to CFMT’s leadership team,” said Hal Cato, CEO at CFMT. “Their Nashville roots, coupled with their wealth of experience and strong commitment to social impact, will undoubtedly strengthen our capacity to drive meaningful change and uplift our community.”
For more than three decades, CFMT has worked to unite compassionate individuals and worthy causes in order to build a more thriving and inclusive community. Its dedicated team manages charitable funds, provides grant opportunities to local nonprofit partners, and works collaboratively with community leaders to collectively address the region’s most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities. CFMT’s generous donors span the community and are driven by a shared commitment to addressing diverse needs.
