Keri Randolph
Executive Director
Bio: Dr. Keri Randolph currently serves as the Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0. Previously, Keri served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Metro Nashville Public Schools where she worked to align resources with the strategic plan to support students and increase student achievement and oversaw the investment of more than $600 million dollars in federal relief and entitlement dollars and private funds. She designed and led strategic initiatives including Navigator, Accelerating Scholars (high-impact tutoring), Promising Scholars (summer learning), and postsecondary success initiatives including University You. She previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Innovation at the Hamilton County Department of Education, the Vice President of Learning at the Public Education Foundation, and as a lead faculty member on the UTeaChattanooga program at the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga. Keri began her career as a biochemist but quickly found her true love- teaching. She taught high school science for 10 years in North Carolina and has worked for more than 15 years in educator preparation programs in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
Keri earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, and a master’s of science education from East Carolina University. She was awarded a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2020.
My Why: Keri is committed to doing her part to fulfill the promise of education and connect people to the life they want to live. Keri believes that school alone is not enough to create the opportunity and access our kids need. She is committed to working with and within communities to build cross-sector partnerships across multiple stakeholders and complexities to solve problems for our children and youth to build a stronger, more vibrant Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Jennifer Andrews
Director of Early Childhood Strategies
Bio: Jennifer Andrews leads work to improve child outcomes through systems coordination and alignment across the early childhood sectors of health, learning, and family supports. She is currently the Bright Start TN Fellow, helping drive the creation and implementation of the 2025 Early Childhood Action Plan, as well as serving as the facilitator of the Early Matters action team. In 2024, Jennifer was recognized in the Chattanooga Times Free Press 20 Under 40 cohort. Prior to finding fulfilling work in the nonprofit education sector, her career consisted of marketing and event management for a variety of private-sector industries. Having lived in Chattanooga for all of her adult life, Jennifer holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
My Why: Jennifer believes that where a child is born should not dictate the opportunities they have to develop, thrive, and change the world. Systems are run by people and if we have the choice to steward systems toward efficiencies, improved communication, and high-quality service provision to positively influence the health, well-being, and education of young children – why would we not try?
Brandon Hubbard-Heitz
Director of Literacy and Student Strategy
Bio: Brandon Hubbard-Heitz leads Chattanooga 2.0’s community-wide effort to improve early literacy and facilitates its Out-of-School Time Alliance. Previously, he served as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator for Hamilton County Schools. He began his career as a Teach For America corps member on Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and he has also taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He earned Bachelor of Arts at Lee University, a Master of Arts in Education and Master of Divinity at Wake Forest University, and a Certificate in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
My Why: Brandon believes that literacy and education are key levers for improving social and economic mobility, especially when stakeholders across sectors collaborate to transform systems for children, families, and communities.
Andrew Hudson
Director of Viable Pathways to Prosperity
Bio: Dr. Andrew Hudson leads Chattanooga 2.0’s career pathways initiative entitled “Viable Pathways to Prosperity.” Andrew works collaboratively across the community with stakeholders, businesses, educators, and nonprofits to connect education and economic development through the creation of clear pathways and high-quality choices for students and families to access and thrive in local careers. Connecting young adults to real opportunities to develop their skills and become economically mobile is a passion for Andrew. Andrew has completed a PhD and MA from the University of Pennsylvania, a MDiv from Princeton Seminary, and a BA from Lee University.
My Why: People. I love learning with people and connecting others to real opportunities to lead and thrive in their community.
Rachel Kramer
Director of Data Strategy and Impact
Bio: Rachel Kramer leads Chattanooga 2.0’s data work to ensure that data is accessible and digestible to the community. She uses data daily to inform evidence-based decision making and to measure the impact of Chattanooga 2.0’s work. She began her career as a systems engineer before transitioning to teaching 5th and 6th grade in Winchester, Massachusetts. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Tufts University and a Master of Education Policy from Vanderbilt University. She also spent a year as a Graduate Fellow with the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE).
My Why: Rachel believes that data can empower communities to drive systemic change, aligning with Chattanooga 2.0’s goal of improving economic opportunities and the quality of life for children in Hamilton County. Additionally, she is passionate about using data to identify and address educational disparities, ensuring that all children have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary for their success.
Walton Robinson
Executive Director, Apprenticeship Works
Bio: Walton Robinson leads the Hamilton County–Chattanooga Apprenticeship Innovation Hub (Apprenticeship Works), as part of the US Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America Grant. This initiative was co-founded by Chattanooga 2.0, in partnership with Hamilton County Government, the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools, the Benwood Foundation, and BuildWithin. He coordinates with community leaders, local and national businesses, educational partners, and public-sector stakeholders to advance the goals of Apprenticeship Works and expand use of the apprenticeship model as a first-line workforce development strategy for employers across the community.
Walton holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!), and a master’s degree from Appalachian State University, and describes himself as ‘a public school kind of guy’.
Ashley D. Williams
CHILDREN'S FUNDING Coordinator
Bio: Ashley graduated with an undergraduate degree in Business Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and is currently working on her doctorate degree in Public Administration. She has over ten years of experience working in both corporate philanthropy and in the nonprofit sector managing grants and implementing programs that impact communities, schools, and the underserved by working with local, state, and national partners. Her work earned her the Driving Positive Change award from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
My Why: Ashley believes that implementing and creating opportunities that address social inequalities and inequities is a step to ensure children and youth become properly equipped for educational and life success.
Olivia Whitson
Program Assistant
Bio: Olivia earned her undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. With this combined knowledge, she excels in supporting early childhood initiatives at Chattanooga 2.0. Her previous non-profit work in Knoxville laid a strong foundation for her impactful contributions to the Chattanooga 2.0 team.
My Why: Olivia is passionate about ensuring every child is empowered and supported to reach their full potential by providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to thrive.