Meet Meg HersheyA FIXER & A JACK OF ALL TRADES
Oftentimes, Meg’s clients say that she just “gets” it.
That’s because she’s been in your shoes— the entry-level nonprofit employee and the C-suite executive.
All along the way, she’s appreciated and embraced the gritty, hands-on nature of the industry at every level.
Career HighlightsMeg began her career with the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on the cusp of its $100 Million expansion with the Omni Hotel.
In 2014, a former colleague recruited her to a small agency, SnapShot Interactive, to serve as a website project manager; she also worked alongside the owners to launch a new company.
In 2016, again she was recruited to a larger agency, GS&F, to serve as account supervisor on the agency's largest account as well as pilot a new company structure.
In 2018, Meg was approached to join the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN—a nationally renowned historic preservation nonprofit—as their first marketing professional in its 50-year history.
After two years of dedication, change management, and scaling, she was promoted to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Heritage Foundation. In that role, Meg oversaw the business strategy and operations of the Heritage Foundation’s divisions:
the Downtown Franklin Association (accredited Main Street Program)
The Franklin Theatre
The Moore-Morris History and Culture Center of Williamson County (opened 2024),
Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens (in development)
Meg also directed the production of the organization’s large-scale street festivals
Main Street Festival (125,000+ attendees)
PumpkinFest (100,000+ attendees)
Dickens of a Christmas (125,000+ attendees)
“Meg Hershey is one of the best consultants I have worked with in my 30-year career. She is on time, on budget, on mission, and on brand all of the time. Her organization and communication skills are exceptional, and her project management and oversight have created a smooth process. She is a core member of our project team and I wouldn't want to do a project without her.”
-Cynthia, Chief Advancement Officer
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• Built and led a professional staff, transforming a 55-year-old, mom-and-pop organization with six full-time and 20 part-time employees to a professional, nonprofit corporation with 20 full-time and 35 part-time employees.
• Standardized processes and operations, mitigating risk and positioning the organization for continued growth and success.
• Diversified earned and contributed revenue streams, successfully sustaining the nonprofit through a global pandemic.
• Stewarded and maintained the organization's six historic properties, worth nearly $35 Million.
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• Following months of closure during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding leadership departure, volunteered to serve as The Franklin Theatre’s interim managing director. Successfully developed and implemented phased reopening strategy and led fiscally sound, $1.7 Million-gross-revenue year in 2021, bringing back all furloughed staff and all programmatic offerings.
• Chosen to serve as the executive-level project manager for the Foundation’s Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens property. The $35-Million adaptive reuse project in downtown Franklin will be the most “unprecedented project” in Franklin’s history, according to local elected officials. Developed the preliminary business strategy and pro forma, which are guiding the mandatories and concessions for the project.
• Under Meg Hershey Consults, LLC, served as project manager for the new $10-Million Moore-Morris History and Culture Center project in downtown Franklin, TN. Coordinated all facets from due diligence reporting prior to building purchase, business and operations strategy/planning, exhibition development, architecture, construction, etc. The Center grand-opened to the public in February 2024.
Current AffiliationsAmerican Alliance of Museums
Center for NonProfit Management (Nashville, TN)
National Trust for Historical Preservation
Benefits of Working With Meg
The Gold Phone
Sometimes, you-know-what hits the fan and you need your right-hand man (or woman) at your side to figure it out. Meg has been that right-hand woman so many times in her career. She is a fixer, and all of her monthly retainer clients receive Gold Phone access—the ability to call Meg and seek her counsel anytime.
Whether it’s the day before a board meeting, moments after your Executive Director resigns, or in the midst of a business crisis, Meg can be there for you.
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Your Human Rolodex
Some of Meg’s greatest strengths are her resourcefulness and innate ability to connect dots. Her clients jokingly refer to “Meg’s Rolodex” when she can recall bits of project information from years ago. For large or nuanced projects, Meg often partners with people and brands that she trusts. Now, you can have access to THE ROLODEX.
LEGAL
RECRUITING
OPERATIONS
ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS
CONTRACTORS
GRAPHIC DESIGN / WEBSITES
VIDEO PRODUCTION
IT SUPPORT
TOOLS FOR NONPROFITS
The NonProfit sector has unique needs. Therefore, it can be a challenge to find software that is a good fit. With 10+ years of experience, Meg knows first hand what works and what doesn’t. These are just a few of the tools she utilizes to keep daily operations, special projects, and events on track.
Questions? Let's Chat!