Staff

Gabe Horton, MDiv, Executive Director and President

Gabe Horton comes to Pawster Nashville with a passion for helping people and the pets they love. Prior to founding Pawster in 2020, Gabe brings eight years of leadership experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He holds a Master of Divinity (2015) with a focus on organizational leadership from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts (2011) from Vanderbilt University. He has also earned a Revenue Development Certificate and Board Fundamentals Certificate from the Center for Nonprofit Management, and an Inclusive Organizations Certificate from People3 Diversity and Inclusion Benefit Corporation.

Amanda Craft, Foster Coordinator

Amanda Craft has a passion for helping both people and animals. With a diverse background in teaching, ministry, and animal care, Amanda comes to the Pawster community with extensive experience in volunteer management, pet care, and compassionate communication. She has completed studies at Belmont University and Vanderbilt University and is always seeking new knowledge. Amanda enjoys playing with her family (both human and fur babies), singing in choir, reading good poetry, and spending time in nature. 

Board of Directors

PJ Cowan, Chair of the Board

Senior Program Manager, Musicians On Call

PJ Cowan is a native of the Gulf Coast who has called Nashville home for over 5 years.  One of PJ’s earliest memories is of being woken up Christmas morning by a puppy that would soon become his first childhood friend.  PJ has worked in the nonprofit world for nearly a decade in both program management and fundraising roles.  He is passionate about reimagining social systems to support all members of society, including maintaining these crucial relationships with our loyal and incomparable pet companions.

Nathan Yates, Treasurer

Nathan Yates is an accounting and financial reporting professional with more than eleven years of experience in the fields of accounting and auditing.  He most recently spent three years at OneOncology, where he was Director of Financial Reporting and Technical Accounting.  Prior to joining OneOncology, he was an Assurance Senior Manager in EY’s Nashville office.  Nathan holds a Master of Accountancy (2012) and Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science (2011) from Vanderbilt University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Tennessee.

Trice Gibbons

Audience Development Editor, Christian Century

A native New Orleanian and thirty-plus year resident of Nashville, Trice Gibbons is Audience Development Editor at the Christian Century magazine. He has held positions in strategic business planning, product management, and marketing. Trice holds a Master of Divinity (2013) from Vanderbilt Divinity School, a Master of Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine (1986), and a Bachelor of Science from Rhodes College (1983). An ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he served as national board member of More Light Presbyterians for six years including two years as board co-chair.

Christina Griffin

Program Manager, Interise

Christina is a life long animal lover and graduate of the University of Kentucky – College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Biology as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science with a research certificate. She serves as a Program Manager at Interise, an economic development non-profit that serves small businesses across the globe. Additionally, she has served the beauty and women’s empowerment industries as a Pageant Coach and Consultant for women and children within her own minority-owned small business for over seven years. In her philanthropic life, she enjoys spending time volunteering as an active member of the Junior League, where she serves as Parliamentarian on the Board of Directors and on the Done In A Day Committee. Christina also serves on the Board of Directors and Events Committee for Tennessee Justice Center. She spends her time volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with their annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Tennessee and annually at 911 Day. In her free time, she enjoys doting on her five-year-old epileptic dog, Wilbur, researching new methodologies for epilepsy awareness and seizure prevention in pets, volunteering with her church and attending Nashville based sporting and food events.

Chelsey Hedglin

Chaplain, Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital

Chelsey Hedglin brings 8 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital, including management of the boarding facility. She serves as chaplain at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital and holds a Master of Divinity (2017) from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts (2013) from Millsaps College.

Taryn Hibbitt

Strategic Sourcing Manager, Bridgestone Americas

Taryn Hibbitt is a Nashville native who originally began volunteering for Pawster as a foster in 2021. Having pets of her own throughout life, she finds joy in helping others by providing refuge to their beloved animals during tough times. She has her BBA in International Business Management from Lipscomb University and is a Sourcing Manager for Bridgestone Americas. Taryn has been involved with many local nonprofits such as Meals on Wheels, Welcome Home Ministries, People Loving Nashville, and Second Harvest. In 2022, Taryn was able to give a permanent home to a Pawster pet she was fostering at that time. In her spare time, Taryn enjoys coaching group fitness classes at F45, international travel, and exploring Nashville’s food and beverage scene. 

Heidi Holman

Demand Generation Director, Truveta

Heidi Holman is a Nashville native who is passionate about keeping families together in times of crisis. Her professional career began with foster care (for humans) where she first learned how important it is for families to have community support systems that focused on reunification. More recently, Heidi has worked in marketing for local, national, and global healthcare tech startups. In her free time, she desires to make a positive impact on her community by serving on the marketing and communications committees for several Nashville nonprofits to being one of Pawster’s earliest foster parents. 

Michael McGarvey, YLC Board Intern

Intake Coordinator, Acadia Healthcare

Michael is a Nashville native and a proud cat dad. Michael serves as Intake Coordinator at Acadia Healthcare. He earned his nonprofit leadership master’s degree at Belmont University and received a degree in religious studies from MTSU in 2021. Michael is passionate about creating more equitable and inclusive spaces and is excited to support people and their pets. Pawster is proud to partner with Young Leaders Council in training tomorrow’s leaders.