Leadership Team

Melissa Todd has been a driving force in nonprofit leadership, spearheading the funding to launch Best Buddies in Memphis and later serving as the Tennessee State Director for Best Buddies International. As the Vice President of Patron Engagement for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, she deepened community connections and fostered meaningful relationships. Through her work with Best Buddies, her primary focus was to combat loneliness and create inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. *Her experience will be instrumental in developing programming dedicated to creating a space where people of every age, background, and faith can come together in meaningful ways.*

Steve Waring is the ChiefFinancial Officer of The Front Porch Memphis and has been responsible for accounting, budgeting, banking, compliance, and reporting since inception of the organization and project. He recently retired from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis after 12 years of service as the CFO. In addition to the customary responsibilities of a CFO, he was also responsible for financial compliance and reporting for all grants for the $16M organization. His experience in the not-for-profit sector has guided the establishment of the administrative and financial aspects of the organization. Prior to his service with Habitat, he served in leadership roles in accounting and financial services for major international corporations such as Federal Express and Merck Pharmaceuticals for over 40 years.

Mearl Purvis is an Emmy- and Peabody-award winning journalist who recently retired after more than 30 years in the business, working as a television anchor and reporter in five television markets in four states. A native of Mississippi, she now spends time learning how to create beauty in her yard, and she continues to volunteer with the UTHSC Board of Visitors for the College of Medicine at Memphis.

Dr. Sarah Breazeale has dedicated her career to service in the nonprofit sector, currently serving as Executive Director of the American Red Cross Mid-South chapter. Before that, she spent 13 years in various leadership positions for the YMCA across the U.S. before moving back home to Memphis to serve as director of One Family Memphis, a nonprofit climbing gym in Soulsville. Sarah is a member of the Rotary Club of Memphis.

Becky Wilson, a native of Jackson, Tennessee, has spent much of her life serving as a volunteer board member for organizations across Memphis and across Tennessee. After graduating from Vanderbilt University and working as a flight attendant for Pan American World Airways, she earned her law degree from the University of Memphis, going on to serve as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. She founded Bridge Builders in 1988 and served on the BRIDGES board for 14 years.

Burt Waller has had a 40+-year career in leadership for hospitals, health plans and health systems in Tennessee and Texas, including as CEO of the Regional Medical Center. Since retiring from Christ Community Health Services in 2013, he continues to provide strategic planning, project development and executive leadership assistance, as a consultant, to community and faith-based health organizations across the country.

David Waters was the associate director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis. He worked for The Commercial Appeal for more than 35 years, holding a variety of reporting and editing positions, including religion and education reporter, columnist, and editorial page editor. He served as religion editor for The Washington Post from 2007-2010 and launched, wrote, edited, and produced its “On Faith” website and “Under God” blog. A 1981 graduate of the University of Memphis, and a 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Journalism Alumni Award, David has taught many undergraduate and graduate journalism students.

Joe Livesay spent 43 years as a practicing attorney here in Memphis. His general practice included real estate, family law, contract, probate, bankruptcy and trial work. He retired in 2017.

Katie Parker has 21 years of experience as an industrial engineer, working in logistics and then health care, designing and optimizing complex systems to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Stephen is the Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Church. Stephen graduated from Wake Forest University (Bachelor of Arts in Religion), Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (Master of Divinity), Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University (Master of Theology in Pastoral Theology and Counseling), and Columbia Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). He has served churches in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia prior to coming to Second in November 2010. He and his wife, Amy, have two children, Benjamin and Jonathan. Stephen’s interests include road trips with his family (visiting all 50 states is on his bucket list), cheering for the hometown Grizzlies, and running enough miles per day to stay moderately healthy.