Charlotte Peacock, Vice President at Republic Bank, exemplifies the profound impact one dedicated volunteer can make. Charlotte’s volunteer journey with NBIC has been marked by extraordinary commitment, unwavering advocacy, and meaningful leadership.
Charlotte’s connection to NBIC began through volunteer work leading E-Myth mastermind sessions. Her passion quickly translated into action to sit on panels on financial management, join the revolving loan committee, and mentor entrepreneurs one-on-one. Through her deep commitment, she became a trusted advisor and advocate, especially for entrepreneurs who were going through NBIC’s intensive business development programs.
Her role expanded as Charlotte took a pivotal part in NBIC’s revolving loan committee, directly assisting small businesses with critical funding decisions. Charlotte’s banking expertise and sincere dedication meaningfully contributed to enhancing financial opportunities for entrepreneurs who might otherwise face barriers. Charlotte didn’t just review loan applications—she personally advocated for clients, emphasizing the credibility and preparation entrepreneurs achieved through NBIC programs. Thanks to Charlotte’s thoughtful advocacy, many NBIC entrepreneurs secured the funding necessary to scale their operations sustainably.
From her initial involvement as a financial mentor, Charlotte’s passion for NBIC’s mission continued to grow. Soon, she joined the NBIC board, bringing strategic guidance, thoughtful leadership, and an unmatched passion for community-building. Charlotte’s sensitive insights and proactive approach to challenges eventually led to her becoming the NBIC board president. In this leadership role, Charlotte has consistently gone above and beyond, personally tackling challenges and mentoring entrepreneurs, guiding NBIC through periods of growth, uncertainty, and transformation.
Charlotte is uniquely known for her hands-on approach. When an entrepreneur faces hurdles, she doesn’t just offer advice—she walks alongside them, actively participating in their journey and advocating for their financial success. “I genuinely enjoy walking beside entrepreneurs, helping them face their challenges head-on,” Charlotte shares. Her support doesn’t stop at advice; she actively leverages her network, credibility, and professional insights to ensure NBIC entrepreneurs have the best possible chances of securing vital funding and resources.
One entrepreneur Charlotte particularly recalls was initially unable to secure necessary funding despite having completed NBIC’s rigorous program. Charlotte stepped in personally, meticulously guiding the entrepreneur through loan preparation, advocating for them with financial institutions, and ultimately helping secure the loan they needed. This business has since grown to over 3 million dollars in revenue and remains an inspiring example of how NBIC’s ecosystem and Charlotte’s personal involvement produce real-world business success.
When asked why she volunteers, Charlotte’s answer is clear and personal: “I believe in seeing people’s dreams become reality. Helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals and watching them succeed is incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms my commitment each day.” Charlotte’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the difference a dedicated volunteer can make. Her path from volunteer mentor to board president showcases how passion, expertise, and consistent advocacy transform lives and entire communities.
In April, National Volunteer Month, NBIC celebrates volunteers like Charlotte, whose tireless efforts have created lasting impacts. NBIC invites you to follow Charlotte’s inspiring lead and join our volunteer community. No matter your area of expertise—finance, marketing, technology, or leadership—your skills can directly impact the growth of Nashville’s entrepreneurs. As Charlotte beautifully states, “Volunteering is not just about giving back—it’s about lifting others, empowering dreams, and driving real change.”
Inspired to make an impact like Charlotte? Join NBIC’s volunteer network and help build Nashville’s next generation of successful entrepreneurs today.
Sierra Henley Ashburn joined NBIC in December 2024 as a Special Projects Manager consultant. She now serves full-time as an Outreach Coordinator, focused on building community partnerships and supporting event and program execution. In this role, she works across NBIC’s Construction Consortium and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) Emerging Contractors and Mentor Protégé programs. She also serves as the staff liaison for the NBIC Young Leaders Board.
Beyond NBIC, Sierra is the founder and lead operations strategist of Amplified Innovation, a fractional operations firm serving nonprofits and mission-driven service businesses. She partners with leaders and teams to translate impactful visions into clear, actionable systems, helping organizations thrive in their zone of genius by aligning internal infrastructure with core values.
Sierra is an active member of Nashville’s nonprofit community, a Young Leaders Council graduate, and currently serves on the board of From Your Father as Systems and Operations Lead.
She is a strong believer in NBIC’s approach of meeting entrepreneurs where they are; equipping them with the tools and support to grow, create community impact, and build a lasting legacy.
Patrick Walker-Reese, MPA is an established and celebrated speaker and educator. Patrick Walker-Reese, or Mr. Reese, as his students commonly refer to him as has dedicated his work to serve his own community. He has motivated and encouraged youth and adults alike to dare to dream and to strive for greatness every day.
Patrick Walker-Reese is the epitome of resilience. Directly translating in his teachings, his ability to make powerful connections and impacts on each individual who attends a workshop or speech he gives. He made it and is living the life of his dreams. This message is especially powerful to youth who are lacking ambition and guidance. Patrick attended Tennessee State University. Although school never came easy for Patrick, whose knack was always for speaking but not the traditional educational curriculum, he graduated from Tennessee State University with a History degree in 2010. His educational pursuits did not end there. He received his Masters from Tennessee State University in Public Administration in 2014.
In 2012 he formed ASPIRE LLC, an Educational Consulting Firm. Aspire specializes in highly interactive motivational presentations, workshops, curriculum, and literature. ASPIRE has worked with varied reputable organizations and companies such as The National Urban League, Caterpillar Financial, Metro Nashville Public Schools, YMCA, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Clemson University, University of DC. The list of who ASPIRE has worked with has continued to grow. Now including, 100 Black Men “100 Kings” program, Oasis Center, The Educate ME HBCU College Tour, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Boys And Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, and a host of professional athletes.
Patrick has authored two books on self-help and socio-emotional development. Patfacts Volume 1: From One Dreamer to Another and Patfacts Volume 2: More Than a Dream. The latter of which was self-published through his newest business venture Aspire Publishing. Designed to turn dreamers into published authors.
Victor Tyler serves as a Digital Asset Specialist at NBIC, where he manages, organizes, and creates digital media resources that support the organization’s storytelling. In this role, he ensures that NBIC’s growing online presence remains cohesive, engaging, and aligned with its brand identity.
Before joining NBIC, Victor built a career in art direction and content production, leading campaigns that combined strategic storytelling with result-driven creative. His experience spans brand development, media production, and digital marketing.
Victor is passionate about using creativity to bridge artistry with strategy to help ideas come to life. Outside of work, he enjoys drawing, running, and exploring new places to eat, often finding inspiration for his work in the world around him.
Dr. Contrecia “Dr. T” Tharpe joined NBIC in November 2025 as Marketing and Communications Manager, bringing more than 15 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and communications leadership. A visionary strategist known for her creativity and results-driven approach, she leads NBIC’s brand, storytelling, and communications efforts with a focus on amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs and positioning NBIC as a leader in inclusive business growth.
Before joining NBIC, Dr. T built an impressive career spanning entrepreneurship, consulting, and organizational leadership. As Founder and Chief Brand Strategy Architect of FayeVaughn Creative, a full-service agency serving startups through Fortune 500 companies, she has helped organizations across industries craft powerful narratives, elevate visibility, and drive measurable results.
Her expertise bridges creativity and strategy, combining data-driven marketing with authentic storytelling to strengthen brand trust and engagement.
Beyond her role at NBIC, Dr. T serves as President of Nashville Cable, the region’s premier network for women in leadership. A sought-after advisor and speaker, she is passionate about helping others build brands that mean business, strengthen communities, and reflect the power of purpose.
Dynamic, forward-thinking, and unapologetically authentic, Dr. T embodies NBIC’s mission to inspire innovation and empower entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and thrive.
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Octavia Wilson-Simmons brings more than 20 years of diverse industry experience to her role at NBIC, where she drives operational excellence, grant compliance, and technological innovation. She began her career in the oil and gas sector in 2000 as a Contract Analyst, where she developed expertise in contract negotiation, trading operations, and stakeholder management.
Over the course of her career, Octavia expanded her skills across account management, operational optimization, and project coordination, gaining cross-industry experience that includes consulting and healthcare. Her transition into consulting in 2021 further honed her ability to streamline logistics and operations for business growth, while her work in healthcare deepened her customer-first approach and adaptability.
Since joining NBIC in 2022, Octavia has been a driving force behind key operational improvements, data-driven decision-making, and program support initiatives that empower small businesses to scale. She leverages platforms such as Zendesk, Looker, and Salesforce to optimize workflows, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and enhance service delivery for entrepreneurs.
Passionate about creating efficient systems and sustainable impact, Octavia’s expertise in operations management, compliance, technology integration, and strategic support ensures NBIC’s entrepreneurs have the foundation needed for long-term success.
