Leadership

Lindsey Krinks serves as Co-founder and Director of Advocacy at Open Table Nashville. For over a decade, she has worked on the underside of Nashville—the streets, encampments, jails, slums, and underpasses—while also working with faith leaders, community organizers, and public officials to make the city more hospitable and just. Lindsey was ordained in 2013 and serves as an interfaith street chaplain. She graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2013 with a Masters of Theological Studies degree and is on the board of the Nashville Coalition for the Homeless. Her book Praying With Our Feet: Pursuing Justice & Healing on the Streets came out in February of 2021 through Brazos Press and can be purchased anywhere books are sold. On any given day, Lindsey can be found in tent cities, washing feet on the streets, marching for change, or foraging for native herbs and plants. To learn more about Lindsey’s work and writing, visit her blog or her website.

Allie joined Open Table Nashville’s staff in August of 2019 after volunteering with OTN since its founding in 2010. Previous to her work as OTN’s operations coordinator, Allie served as a pastor for five years at a local church in Goodlettsville and graduated with her Masters of Divinity from Lipscomb University in 2019. She has dedicated her academic career to the study of theology and is deeply interested in the intersections that exist between spirituality and justice. Allie is so excited to be a part of the staff at Open Table Nashville because she is passionate about journeying alongside the marginalized. If she isn’t hanging out with her twin sister or watching Netflix, you can find Allie reading on her back porch, inviting herself over to her friends’ houses, or eating a snack.

Lisa Avrit began volunteering with Open Table Nashville in 2015. After serving on the board for a few years, the opportunity arose to join the staff as the Finance Coordinator and she jumped at the chance. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, hiking and playing outdoors.

Edward comes to Open Table Nashville from the community organizing family in Nashville, working with several local grassroots organizations and nonprofits. Edward moved to Nashville in early 2018 from Washington where he went to college at The Evergreen State, triple majoring in Communications, Acting, and Political Economics. His goal is to de-professionalize community organizing in order to bring politics back to the people. Because of this goal he can be found canvassing in your neighborhood sometime soon.

Cal (they/them) has lived in Nashville since 2012, and in 2022 they graduated from Belmont University with an art degree. As Open Table Nashville’s Digital Communications Coordinator, they have the opportunity to combine their knowledge and skill in art and design with their passion for activism and care for Nashville’s unhoused community. When they aren’t working, you can find them at the movie theater catching the latest films, working on a painting, or spending time with their partner and their cat Mister.

India holds a bachelor of science degree in dietetics and global health from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is a Midwest transplant who came to Nashville to pursue her master of public health degree at Vanderbilt. She started as a volunteer and immediately fell in love with the Open Table Nashville way – building relationships and standing in solidarity with our friends. She wants to spend her career working with and advocating for people experiencing homelessness and affordable housing by merging efforts from local government, advocacy, and research sectors. She believes housing is a fundamental human right and supports housing first models.

When she is not doing nerdy things on her computer for work, you can find her at the dog park with her pug, trying a new coffee shop, going for a run, or planning her next escape into the wilderness for some hiking and camping. She is always in search of people, places, and experiences that allow her to experience grace deeply.

Will discovered Open Table Nashville (OTN) shortly after moving from Kentucky in the Summer of 2019, and was immediately drawn to their fundamental value of solidarity with unhoused folks. Through his studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School (VDS), he became curious about non-institutional contexts for chaplaincy, such as social movements and the streets. As a complement to these newfound interests, he interned with the Village at Glencliff and OTN, doing community gardening with the former and outreach/advocacy with the latter. As of late, he has graduated from VDS with a Master of Divinity, was hired by OTN in May of 2022, and is in the process of becoming ordained. When he’s not working he enjoys hiking and kayaking, reading theology, writing poetry, and collaging.

Claire moved to Nashville from Greenville, South Carolina in 2017 to attend Belmont University for social work. As her freshman year eventually turned to her senior year, she grew to love the spirit of Nashville and found a home within it. She got her start interning at Planned Parenthood, which instilled a deep passion within her to advocate for the Nashville community. She’s excited to continue supporting Nashville at Open Table! When she’s not at work, she loves to play Stardew Valley and watch mindless TV.

Jessica was born and raised in Nashville. She graduated from Lipscomb University in 2023 with a degree in social work. She has a deep passion for cultivating community and building a more equitable Nashville for all. She is excited to put this passion to action as a member of Open Table Nashville’s outreach team! When she’s not out and about serving her community, you can find her listening to music, spending time with friends, or working on art projects.

Kelly (she/her) was born in Toronto and raised in Middle Tennessee where she has been involved in community organizing efforts around displacement, eviction, and affordable housing in Nashville. She has volunteered and worked with multiple nonprofits throughout Nashville, including winter canvassing with Open Table Nashville! Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and minors in economics and political + civic engagement. Kelly also has experience in real estate, interior design, and a general construction diploma. The thread that connects Kelly’s work, education, and advocacy is her passionate belief that everyone deserves a safe and dignified home. She looks forward to using her experience to add to the life-giving work of Open Table Nashville and to contribute to a Nashville for all.

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Robb, Vecchio, Board Chair

Pervasive Gaming Operations LLC

Chris Coleman

Attorney, Lieff Cabraser

Ana Escobar

General Sessions Court Judge

Alexandra Furr

Safe Haven Family Shelter

Michaela Strout

Attorney, Vanderbilt Law School