Nashville CARES is pleased to announce the appointment of Debbie Barnett as the agency’s new Director of Marketing & Communications.

For more than 25 years, Barnett has held leadership roles in the nonprofit sector in both Los Angeles and Nashville, and brings significant experience in fundraising, marketing and communications, volunteer management, and program development.

A native of Los Angeles, CA, Barnett was a journalism and communications major and proceeded to earn several communications awards during her tenure as an area sales manager for The Broadway retail stores. Shortly after that she began her nonprofit career co-founding an organization called Compassion Network that launched federally-funded housing for homeless families, a crisis pregnancy home and an HIV/AIDS hospice lay-counseling program.

Since moving to Nashville in 1997, Barnett’s focus has been primarily on social justice with an emphasis on public education and awareness of underserved communities both locally and in Third World countries, serving those affected by homelessness, poverty, addiction, and HIV/AIDS.  Her most recent position as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Siloam Family Health Center has given her an even deeper compassion for those with catastrophic health issues and their vulnerability within a marginalized community.  

“Nashville CARES is an incredible organization with a long history of dedicated staff and volunteers tirelessly working toward the goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee,” said Barnett. “The face of HIV/AIDS is changing and so is its public perception. I believe we are at a crucial time to bring a fresh awareness of this horrible disease. I want to be a part of that effort and am excited to work with this gifted team of people.”

Doug Alexander, Chief Development Officer at Nashville CARES, said this about Debbie, “We are thrilled to welcome Debbie aboard!  The vast breadth and depth of experience Debbie has in all aspects of nonprofit development from marketing to fundraising and everything in between is just incredible and we are lucky to have her.  We are very excited about the future of CARES.”