Changemakers

William B. Courtney (Bill), a native Memphian, founded Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. in 2001. Today, it employs 120 people with a 45 acre manufacturing facility and domestic sales offices in Memphis, TN and international sales offices in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2007, Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. won the Memphis Business Journal’s Small Business of the Year Award based on its growth and commitment to community service. In 2003, Bill began volunteering at Memphis’ inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its underperforming football team around. In 2003, the team had 19 players with a dismal 4-95, 10-year record. In the 2008 & 2009 seasons, the team’s record improved to 18-2, with 75 players. The story inspired a Hollywood film—Undefeated—which won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Feature Length Documentary. In 2011, Bill was inducted into Bridge Builders for leadership in diversity, community, and justice. He was the 2012 recipient of the Liberty Bowl’s Harry Zin

Dr. Sarah Petschonek is founder and CEO of Volunteer Odyssey. She founded Volunteer Odyssey based on two landmark projects. In 2012, Sarah began Mission Memphis: 30 consecutive days volunteering with 30 non-profits, chronicled on her blog, Confessions of a Volunteer. Afterwards, she launched Volunteer Bound – a cross-country volunteer tour researching volunteerism in 9 US cities spanning from Portland, Oregon to Jacksonville, Florida. Volunteer Odyssey has grown to include 40+ non-profit partners, the most comprehensive Calendar of Volunteer Opportunities in Memphis and the country’s first virtual volunteer fair called Volio. Dr. Petschonek earned her PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology, an MS and an MBA from the University of Memphis. Her academic research and work experienced focused on employee satisfaction, employee well-being, organizational culture. In the past she has worked for the US Navy and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Petschonek also consults with local non-profits on how to

Believing in the importance of the “two Cs” – culture and communication – Stacy has developed a strong internal culture at ServiceMaster by Stratos through open communication channels based on core values like integrity, accountability and respect. She strives to achieve a firm balance between being a headstrong CEO and a true friend to her employees, and she continues to lead Stratos to new heights, through continued growth and the introduction of technological advancements throughout the organization, while servicing venues in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Since 2008, Stacy has served on the ServiceMaster Clean Regional Council, as well as a Southeastern Conference Council Representative on the ServiceMaster Clean National Franchise Council, eventually serving as vice chairman and chairman. After taking majority ownership in the company, Stacy applied for and received the Women’s Business Enterprise Certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. A Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club me

Daphne Large is President and CEO of the Memphis based Data Facts, which provides trusted information to make sound hiring, lending and other business decisions. In 1989, at age 27, she founded Data Facts. A native Memphian and Briarcrest grad, Daphne's driven mindset has awarded her CEO of the Year, a member of the Society of Entrepreneurs, and countless other Top Workplaces awards for her company. Daphne is passionate about serving her community and others and as you'll hear in this podcast, that is why we are so excited to share this episode with you. Learn more about Daphne Large here: http://info.datafacts.com/daphne-large

Reverend Marlon Foster is the founder and executive director of Knowledge Quest, a Memphis nonprofit that equips youth to maximize their potential through intellectual and character development. Responding to youth gun violence that caused the death of his childhood best friend, Pierre Ramond Henderson, Marlon struggled for three years after obtaining his undergraduate degree in a relentless effort to make his vision a reality, establishing the organization in 1998. As a native South Memphian, Marlon reflects on his roots, what shaped his faith, and working, living, and investing in his community.

Michael Drake is the founder, chairman and CEO of masterIT. As a native Memphian, Michael reflects on his roots, what he learned as a young professional, and his mission of inspiring young professionals, providing opportunity to those who need it most, and shining a light on mental health.