Board of Directors
Sally Bresnahan
Board Member
Sally began her career in human resources and special education, channeling her passion for teaching into higher education at Vanderbilt University’s Iris Center at Peabody College. Her journey continued when she combined her background in human resources and education, serving as the Director of Professional Development at Lipscomb University in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2023, Sally transitioned to her current role as the Program Manager for Technical Residents and Pathways Interns in Talent Development in the Information Technology Group at HCA Healthcare. This position allows her to merge her passion for program education with commitment to supporting others, particularly students, as they navigate their journey into the corporate world.
Sally was honored to be asked to serve on the board at Rest Stop Ministries and enjoys collaborating with others to support and restore female survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. RSM’s mission and core values align perfectly with her personal values and provide a meaningful opportunity to contribute to positive change. Sally’s commitment to Rest Stop Ministries is rooted in her belief in the transformative power of education, opportunity, and mentorship.
Chasity Edwards
Board Member
Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Chasity Edwards is a dynamic Publicist now based in Nashville, TN. As the Director of Publicity at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, she blends her love for storytelling with a deep passion for sharing the transformative power of the word of God. Before venturing into publishing, Chasity worked as a publicist in tech, sports, and live events.
Volunteering with various organizations since she was 11, Chasity was drawn to the deep, transformative work of Rest Stop Ministries. She is excited to now be on the other side of the house, helping to maintain and sustain the programs that are vital to the community. When she’s not securing media placements for brands, you’ll find her baking, getting lost in a good book, or enjoying time with her spirited miniature schnauzer, Maverick.
Ken Glaus
Board Chair
Ken Glaus is a Human Resources professional who gained valuable experience working for United Parcel Service (UPS) for 34 years in a variety of assignments. After early retirement, Ken joined Grade A Construction in Mt. Juliet, TN as Director of Safety and Organizational Development.
Ken serves as a full-time community volunteer, actively involved with Hermitage Church of the Nazarene, Men of Valor, and Rest Stop Ministries. Ken has served on the Board for Rest Stop Ministries for six years and currently serves as Board president.
Ken and his wife Cindy have been married for 31 years. They have two adult children (Carter and Lizz) and three small dogs (Buster, Sassy, and Tidbit).
Dr. Christi Griffin
Board Member
Dr. Christi Griffin is a professor of business and director for the Health Care
Administration program at Cumberland University where she teaches graduate and
undergraduate courses in health care administration, ethics, business law, IT law, and
employment law. Dr. Griffin serves as Academic Integrity Board chair and has
previously served on the Faculty Senate, Institutional Review Board, and field faculty for
an on-site cultural study of the New Mexico Pueblos.
Dr. Griffin graduated from Creight University School of Law (JD), George Washington
University (MHSA) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (BSBA). Dr. Griffin
brings more than three decades of health care industry experience in roles that include
executive officer, corporate general counsel, hospital management, and founder of a
boutique health law practice. She has served as panelist and guest speaker to various
business, civic and academic organizations, and on judge’s panels for national and
regional academic competitions.
Dr. Griffin is active in the non-profit community. Dr. Griffin is particularly drawn to issues
and platforms impacting the socioeconomic position of women and vulnerable
populations. She currently serves on the board of directors for Rest Stop Ministries and
Charis Health Center and has previously served on the boards of Wilson County
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (vice chair), Lebanon Noon Rotary Club, American Red
Cross-Tennessee Region, and Outlook Nashville (chair).
Kate King
Board Member
Kate King is excited to be joining the Rest Stop Ministries Board of Directors. Kate has served the last 6 years on the board of The Mary Parrish Center, serving in a variety of roles from Treasurer to Vice Chair to Chair. She has a passion for serving vulnerable communities and is even a foster parent in her spare time.
Kate currently works as an IT Product Manager at Bridgestone with an MBA in Finance from Belmont University. She is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to the RSM board as we enter the next phase of growth.
Buddy Mabry
Board Member
Buddy Mabry is a Fleet Service professional who recently retired from Smyrna Ready Mix after over forty years in the concrete construction business. For approximately twenty-five of those years, Buddy served in the United States Army receiving two Commendation Medals and one Meritorious Service Medal. Buddy served abroad in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Buddy is a longtime resident of Wilson County who graduated from Mt. Juliet High School and later attended college at Trevecca Nazarene University and Cumberland University. Buddy has faithfully served at Hermitage Church of the Nazarene for over thirty years.
Buddy and his wife Kristi have been married for thirty-eight years. They have two adult children, Ben Mabry and Marileigh Mabry Bennett.
Hillary Smith
Board Member
Hillary, started her career as a young social worker helping to open the doors of Rest Stop Ministries, serving as the program coordinator and has served as a trauma therapist in multiple agencies for victims of human trafficking. This included human trafficking stings assisting law enforcement to identify victims and provide them with services for healing.
She comes with expert knowledge of healing therapy including EMDR, TFCBT with a special focus on a holistic approach to more positively shape each survivor’s future.
Hillary graduated from Middle Tennessee state university in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and with a Master of social work in 2015 from the University of Tennessee. An avid Tennessee fan, she enjoys spending time with her two young children and husband in her spare time.
Hillary is ready and passionate about connecting with Rest Stop Ministries again, in order to unite multiple agencies all across the United States and beyond for the betterment of healing young women for God’s glory!
Michele Speich
Executive Director/CEO
Michele Speich serves as Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Rest Stop Ministries, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience with a focus on trauma-informed care, organizational development, and mission-driven impact.
She is passionate about building compassionate, collaborative environments where healing, dignity, and growth are possible for both those doing the work and those being served. Guided by faith and purpose, Michele is honored to serve and support the mission of Rest Stop Ministries.
Gabrielle Thompson-Brown
Board Member
Gabrielle Thompson-Brown has a heart for empowerment, justice and serving vulnerable populations around the globe. She has worked as a development practitioner in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America. Thompson is the current President and CEO, for IDEAS (International Development and Educational Associates), where they work to help communities and individuals flourish by helping to remove barriers to dignity. Prior to leading IDEAS, Gabrielle was the CEO of an international anti-human trafficking organization for eight years. During that time, Thompson oversaw the rescue of over 1,000 women, men and children, partnered with one Safe Home, wrote and developed a human trafficking prevention curriculum that has now trained over 6,000 people, and created a nationally recognized Survivor Scholarship program, which to date, has awarded over 300 scholarships to survivors of human trafficking. Thompson served as an adjunct professor in the Masters of International Affairs department at Middle Tennessee State University, teaching, “Global Issues in Human Trafficking”. Thompson was awarded Nashville’s Top Professionals 30 under 30 in 2018 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 Professionals in 2020, and Middle Tennessee State Universities’ Alumni Achievement Award in 2021. Thompson previously worked in gender-based development initiatives in Costa Rica and Turkey and holds a Master of International Affairs from Middle Tennessee State University.
Non-Voting
Michele Speich
Executive Director/CEO, Rest Stop Ministries
Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council includes Survivor Leaders, collaborative partners, church partners, community business-legal-medical-human services professionals, small business owners, and international representatives.