Listed here are the affiliates of the IMPACT Board: 

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Kevin Christopher, Shaquawana Wester, George Chitiyo, Lillian Hartgrove, Becky Magura, Imone Uduehi, Quinton Cancel, Antonio Ibenez, Mark Hutchings, Jeffrey Rahming, 

​Kevin is an intellectual property attorney and founder of Ridgeline Venture Law. He relocated from Oakland, California (Go Dubs!) in 2016, and is married to Lauren Christopher with children Leif, Jack Henry, and Indi (don’t ask, just roll with it). Kevin serves on advisory boards for Cookeville’s Biz Foundry, Chattanooga’s INCubator, and Tennessee’s statewide patent pro bono program LAVPA.

Born in Nashville, Ms Wester was raised in the public housing system in Cookeville, TN.  This experience prepared her for her work with youth in low income housing, as a volunteer for 3 years in AmeriCorps.  She was eventually hired full time as Youth Programs Coordinator at Highlands Residential Services where she serves as Director of the Teens Need Training after school program, offering tutoring services with community partners. Her passion to impact the lives of low income youth is palpable as is her desire to help meet the needs of the community she deeply loves. She is the heart behind the annual “Quawana’s Coats” drive, a $20,000 grant winning event that provides winter coats to those in need. With the aid of grant proceeds, Ms Wester provides clothing, hygiene products, school supplies and more for families in public housing. She is the proud mother of three girls and grandmother of two and is furthering her education to offer professional counseling services to underprivileged youth.

George Chitiyo, Ph.D., is a Professor of Educational Research and Evaluation at Tennessee Tech University. His academic background is in economics and quantitative research methods in education. George currently serves on the Susan G. Komen Advisory Council for the Upper Cumberland Region, and is also actively involved in several other educational events and projects both locally and internationally. He lives in Cookeville with his wife, Rufaro. 

Lillian Hartgrove is Workforce Development and Education Vice President for the Highlands Economic Partnership. Lillian held various management positions with SunTrust Banks in South Florida prior to relocating to Cookeville in 2003 to launch the bank’s state of the art Call Center. She left banking in 2008 to join the Highlands Economic Partnership team and manages the Highlands Workforce Development and Education Programs of Work, a multi-county collaboration with K-12 education, higher education, business and industry, Chambers of Commerce and community organizations.

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Lillian was appointed by Governor Haslam in 2014 to serve on the State Board of Education representing the 6th district. She was elected in January 2018 to serve as Chairman of the State Board of Education by unanimous vote of the Board members. She is a graduate of Mississippi State College for Women.

Director since 2014.  With 35 years of experience in production, educational outreach and management at public television station WCTE, Becky Magura brings to any project a level of commitment and strategic direction necessary for success.  She resides in Cookeville, TN and serves on numerous regional & national boards. She received the Cumberland Business Journal’s Ovation Award for Community Service.

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Ms. Magura is Chair of the PBS Interconnection Committee and serves on the PBS Station Services Committee, Strategic Planning Advisory Group, and Working Group on Unserved Areas.  She previously served on the Diversity Advisory Committee.

Blessed to be employed with Cummins Inc. (Filtration Business), Imone has been working in the Global Sales Support Organization. He has been privileged to have enjoyed a career with Cummins in multiple functions, ranging from Operations, through Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales. He is a strong promoter of end-to-end Supply Chain Excellence, and is the current President of the Upper Cumberland APICS Chapter. His passion for community and involvement in Workforce Development via a mutual contact at the APICS Chapter led to a wonderful encounter with Brothers’ Quinton Cancel and Jasen Knight. A partnership borne of service towards our community that has since not looked back.

Dr. Quinton V. Cancel is a Board Certified Urologist practicing General Urology with an emphasis on Robotic Surgery and Men’s Health.  He obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology at Washington University, in St. Louis.  Dr. Cancel received his medical training at Duke University Medical Center and is a partner at Upper Cumberland Urology Associates in Cookeville. Dr. Cancel is the Chairman of the Robotic Surgery Committee at CRMC where he oversees the first 5-Specialty Robotics Program in the state of Tennessee.  In 2012, Dr. Cancel was elected president by the executive board and has lead IMPACT into a new era of expansion and inclusion. He is passionate about impacting the lives of the marginalized and enjoys living in Cookeville with his wife, Kristea and two boys, Quinton II and Jackson. 

Born in Spain, on November 16,1972, Mr. Ibanez has a bachelor of Industrial Engineering, and a Masters of Business Administration from UPC Barcelona and Executive Program Degree from IPADE (Mexico). He has worked for FICOSA North America for over 15 years and currently hold the position of Chief Operating Officer—FICOSA North America. Mr. Ibanez has strong credentials and global experience in managing a large operation with multiple industrial sites across the world.  He is married to the former Alma and they have one girl.

J. Mark Hutchins is President and CEO of Hutchins Strategies, an executive management and business consulting firm, and President of ĒKAMOR, one of the first true waste to product companies.

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He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in Organizational Psychology specializing in human relations and supervision at Louisiana Tech University.  Over the last 30 years, he served Louisiana Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Mississippi State University, and as associate vice president, vice president and interim president at Wood College (MS), Murray State University (KY) and Tennessee Tech University.  A certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker, Hutchins has presented on a variety of topics across the country, and he currently serves as Chairman of Impact Leadership.

Jeffrey is an Engineering Supervisor at a local valve manufacturer, Flowserve Corporation. Prior to his current assignment in Cookeville Jeff has made corporate stops in Oregon, Washington State, and Florida. Jeffery and his family; wife Dian, and son Jeffery J Rahming have resided in  Cookeville since 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Walla Walla College (Wa), a Master of Arts in Emergency & Disaster Management from American Public University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Arkansas.