Office of Impact (Finance) Team

"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced." —James Baldwin

Andrea Blackman serves as the Chief Impact Officer for the Office of Impact and is responsible for convening, developing, and driving initiatives that build on and advance the City's commitment to promoting opportunity and access. She is a curriculum designer and facilitator, podcaster, educator, and cultural content creative.

Prior to this role, Andrea served as the Director and curator of the Civil Rights Center and the Votes for Women Center for the Nashville Public Library. Throughout her career, she has been known for her professional leadership, advocacy for cultural inclusivity and sensitivity, and innovation in teaching historic harms. She also holds the post of adjunct professor at both Lipscomb University and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College. Her ongoing research includes education disparity and self-representations in children's literature.

Michelle serves as Administrative Services Officer for the Office of Impact. Prior to joining the office, Michelle served as an office support specialist in the Metropolitan Treasurer's office. Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2020 from Middle Tennessee State University, where she majored in political science and double minored in history and women's and gender studies.

Michelle is passionate about advocating for intersectional feminism and the representation of women and communities of color in local, state, and federal government. She is excited that she was able to begin her career with Metro and looks forward to serving the city for many years to come.

Sneh Pravinkumar Patel, Ph.D. is an anthropologist and Tennessee native who serves as the Policy Impact and Research Manager for the Office of Impact. Sneh completed her doctoral studies at New York University in 2017 where she utilized quantitative and qualitative methods to identify specific social behaviors across different cultural, geographic, and economic landscapes.

Before joining the office, Sneh served as a Program Coordinator at the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni at Georgia State University where she developed and led programs aimed at increasing access to graduate degree programs for students and alumni from underrepresented communities. Sneh is excited to bring her research skills and experiences as a Nashvillian to turn data into impactful narratives that will promote opportunity and access within the Metro region.

Vanessa Abbott serves as the Policy Specialist for the Office of Impact. She has a passion for policy advancement and assists her team in researching, identifying, and composing policy that promotes fair procurement and entrepreneurial outcomes. Vanessa is a certified Continuous Improvement professional with a background in regulatory compliance and policy development.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and a Master's degree in Counseling, which gives her a unique blend of expertise in data analysis, strategic business operations, and relationship management practices. Vanessa has a heart for people and believes in actively listening to the needs of communities and creating processes that give fair access to solutions that address those needs.

Angela Pinnock serves as the Community Development and Impact Specialist for the Office of Impact. In 2021, they received a Bachelor's degree from Fisk University where they majored in political science and minored in gender studies.

As a Nashville native, being involved in community has always been something that she's prioritized. Throughout college and the start of their career, Angela has had the opportunity to work with community-based organizations whose reach has spanned across Middle Tennessee. Angela looks forward to bringing her experiences in community work to Metro Government.

Danniela Machado serves as the Impact Trainer for the Office of Impact. With a passion for creating welcoming environments, Danniela is dedicated to fostering opportunity and access in all aspects of her work. She is excited to dive into engaging and collaborating with Metro Government departments to ensure opportunities for all.