Meet Amy Waller, CISTN’s new Chief Development Officer

Amy Waller

Amy Waller joins Communities In Schools of Tennessee as Chief Development Officer, where she will lead fundraising efforts that support students and families across the state.

Amy K. Waller is an accomplished nonprofit executive and fundraising leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations and building sustainable philanthropic partnerships that strengthen communities and improve lives. As Chief Development Officer for Communities In Schools of Tennessee, she leads the organization's comprehensive fundraising strategy, cultivating support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners to help students and families access the resources they need to succeed.

Throughout her career, Amy has led fundraising efforts for organizations serving children, families, individuals facing health challenges, disaster survivors, and underserved communities. Prior to joining Communities In Schools of Tennessee, she served as Associate National Director of Corporate Development for Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), supporting corporate partnership strategy across multiple states and markets.

For more than a decade, Amy served as Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. During her leadership, the region consistently achieved ambitious fundraising goals ranging from $9 million to $23 million annually, generating more than $125 million in philanthropic support to advance disaster response, blood services, military family programs, and community preparedness initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Amy held leadership positions with United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, organizations whose missions reinforced her lifelong commitment to strengthening families, expanding opportunity, and building healthier communities. She also served as President and CEO of Pet Community Center, where she led strategic initiatives that increased philanthropic support and expanded the organization's impact across greater Nashville.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and relationship-centered approach to fundraising, Amy brings expertise in major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, strategic planning, donor engagement, board development, and nonprofit leadership. She is passionate about connecting generous people and organizations with opportunities to create lasting change in their communities.

A Nashville resident since 1988, Amy remains deeply committed to the well-being of Middle Tennessee and the organizations that create opportunities for students, families, and communities to thrive.