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Success Stories

Allison Plattsmier in graduation attire beside partner with baby in hand

Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier

I am serving as Executive Director of the Jordan Thomas Foundation, founded my own nonprofit Close the Loop, own my own nonprofit consulting firm where I contract with NAMI Tennessee to run their Ending the Silence Program and Futuro to launch their Career Fast Track program.

ThinkAchieve instilled in me a lust for learning and creative problem solving, eventually leading me to pursue my Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice and conducting my dissertation on age and gender discrimination in the nonprofit sector and how that affects hiring, retention, and upward mobility. It also sparked my interest to pursue a similar program through the Congressional Award where we had to accumulate hours in personal development, physical fitness, expedition/exploration, and voluntary service eventually leading to my recognition as a 2018 Congressional Gold Medalist, one of the highest awards for youth. ThinkAchieve taught me to be inquisitive. My innovative and creative problem solving as well as my critical reflection skills have been cited frequently be employers as some of my biggest strengths. I was lucky enough to receive my first Executive Director role at 22 and I attribute that to the drive, tenacity, and thirst for knowledge and professional development that I acquired during my time in ThinkAchieve.

Headshot of Grace McPherson

Grace McPherson

Grace lives in Chattanooga, where she worked for CO.LAB, and will begin working with TractManager, a healthcare industry.

"ThinkAchieve helped me by nurturing a growth mindset. I have been able to explore a lot of different types of jobs by not confining myself to my major or my initial beliefs about myself."

Walker Center for Teaching and Learning

Walker Center for Teaching and Learning

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