Staff

Camille Carter, MEd

Case Manager

Camille Carter is a case manager for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum or other refuge in the United States. She visits the home of the minor and his or her family after the minor has been reunified with a sponsor. Camille ensures that the minor is safe, and the family has what it needs to be successful. Camille also conducts home studies prior to the minor’s release from a shelter to make sure the home is safe for the minor. Some examples of things she does while she is working with families include helping enroll the child in school, finding free or low-cost medical and mental health services, and completing forms to send to immigration court if needed. Camille has her master’s degree in education and TESL certification from the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute. She has worked with immigrants since 2010 by helping with literacy and teaching ESL. Camille enjoys traveling whenever possible, especially to Latin America, spending time with loved ones and taking hikes.  

Jackie Cavnar, MBA

Chief Operating Officer

Jackie Cavnar joined Mental Health America of the MidSouth in 2017. Jackie’s background in public relations coupled with her MBA in healthcare management and nonprofit management equips her to lead the day to day operations while keeping a strategic eye on the future. Previously, Jackie has worked in community development and physician recruitment for a nonprofit entity and a national hospital organization. She has also worked as a healthcare market analyst for an international corporation. Jackie holds a bachelor’s in communications from The University of Tennessee, where she serves on the College of Communication and Information Board of Visitors, and an MBA from Lipscomb University, where she serves on the Dean’s Board for the College of Business. In 2017, the Public Relations Society of America’s Nashville Chapter honored Jackie with its Hercules Award for her dedication to the profession and the community. Jackie currently represents MHA on the Rural Health Association of Tennessee board of directors, and she serves as the executive director of the Tennessee Psychiatric Association.

Diana Cisneros, MSW

Family Support Specialist

Amber Hampton, LMSW

Program Manager

Program Manager, Amber Hampton, graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in global studies from the honors college at Middle Tennessee State University. During her time in college, she spent her summers in El Salvador working with children in high-risk areas for gang violence. While planning to move to El Salvador full-time, she began building friendships with those experiencing homelessness in her community. It was here that she began to meet and work with survivors of trafficking. She noticed the work to be done in her own community and began working directly on the ground level with those who had experienced trauma. 

She worked as the missions and community service coordinator for a non-denominational church in Murfreesboro, where she built partnerships with local nonprofits, built volunteer teams, developed training materials, and led trips to Central and South America. Upon finishing her master’s degree, she transitioned into crisis counseling for youth and worked as a medical social worker for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

She graduated in 2015 from The University of Tennessee College of Social Work with her master’s degree in evidence based interpersonal practice and a graduate certificate in the treatment of trauma. She is certified in EMDR and TF-CBT. She currently co-leads Murfreesboro Cold Patrol, a community organization dedicated to working directly to find solutions and build relationships with those experiencing homelessness. 

In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling to visit her friends across the globe, and hanging out in the woods and under bridges with her street family.

Tom Starling, EdD

Chief Executive Officer

Tom Starling, EdD, has served as the CEO of Mental Health America of the MidSouth since 2009. Tom holds degrees in psychology, theology, ethics, and educational administration. He has previously served as CEO of the Middle Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association, as CEO of United Way of Rutherford County, and as a university administrator and hospital chaplain for institutions in Texas and Tennessee.  Under his leadership, MHA of the MidSouth has been recognized as a Health Care Hero, Best in Business, finalist in Collaboration College, and finalist for the Marvin Runyon Award. Tom currently serves on numerous state and national boards and committees to promote mental health and wellness.

Lynn Wood

Aging Services Coordinator

Lynn Wood has spent the last 10 years working with senior citizens and their families who are dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Her interest in this disease and the effects it has on the whole family unit has become a passion for her. During her study on this topic she found that many families developed the need for counseling or substances to help with the sense of loss that this disease has. She also reflected on the many losses and challenges she has faced over the course of her life involving mental health. Approximately 2 years ago she became a Mental Health First Aid instructor. During that time, she has conducted several trainings involving Vanderbilt University Security, the nursing staff with the Department of Health for Nashville, and officers with Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Her goal is to continue to help break the stigma that mental health has and teach as many people as possible on how to recognize the many facets of mental health and how to seek help. Lynn is currently the aging services coordinator and is completing her dementia specialist certification.  She continues to work with families and make Caring for the Caregiver her main focus.