The Our Place Nashville Team
Carolyn Naifeh, Co-Founder and Executive Director
Carolyn (she/her) has nearly 15 years of experience in international broadcasting and 20 years in non-profit management. With the exception of one year at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School and one in South Carolina with Best Doctors International, her home base was in Washington, DC. She worked there primarily with Voice of America, at Ford’s Theatre, and as a consultant with arts and education organizations, including the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, the NEA Foundation and the Pearson Foundation. She moved to Nashville in April 2013 to open a regional office for the Pujols Family Foundation. After two years, she and Jaco spun their passion to provide affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into a 501c3 non-profit organization. Carolyn grew up overseas, the daughter of a U.S. diplomat. She holds a BA in English and an MA in Latin American Studies, both from Vanderbilt University.
JOrdan collins, Associate Director
Jordan (he/him) grew up in Durban, South Africa, and moved to Nashville in 2011 to attend college. He received a B.A. degree in Christian Leadership from Belmont University, and upon graduation worked with Catholic Charities to support refugees in obtaining affordable housing. He moved to his home province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, to continue working to empower marginalized communities where he helped start a program for vulnerable youth in South Africa. Upon his return to the U.S., he was the community engagement coordinator at Dismas House, serving the formerly incarcerated. He came to Our Place with seven years of non-profit experience and has been a part of Our Place Nashville since our inception in 2015. He and his wife, Bailey, were Our Place Nashville’s first resident directors at our first Friendship House, helping to build our model for community living. Jordan has been on full-time staff since July 2021.
Gavin Dillinger, Associate Director
Gavin (he/him) grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and attended MTSU where he received a Bachelor of Social Work before moving to Nashville to work in disability advocacy, spending six years with The Arc Tennessee. Gavin brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the IDD field, along with a genuine passion for inclusion and advocacy. He is an avid reader and spends most of his free time in coffee shops or at dog parks with his dogs Bertie and Clove.
Ashley Matthews, Resident Support Specialist
Ashley (she/her) is a Florida native who attended Auburn University for her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. She was drawn to Music City as she’s an avid concert-goer and music enthusiast. Before joining Our Place Nashville as the Resident Support Specialist, she provided a range of services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, from job coaching to independent living skills training. Ashley is passionate about mental health advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusion for all. She envisions a world where everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to create the life they dream for themselves. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks with her partner, traveling, and spending time with her two cats, Lincoln and Raspberry.
Madeleine Lewis, Resident Director - Friendship House 1
Madeleine (they/them) is a PhD student in Community Research and Action at Vanderbilt. They have been living at Friendship House since 2023 and are excited to continue being in community with their friends and neighbors through shared meals, gatherings at fire pits, and birthday celebrations. Madeleine loves gardening and loves to trade, share, and gift plants. They are grateful to their community of friends and neighbors for creating an inclusive and supportive environment in which to live.
Ed Rettman, Resident Director - Friendship House 2
Edward (Ed) ( he/him ) is a current student at Peabody college at Vanderbilt University. Prior to working on his master’s degree, Edward received his bachelor’s in special education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and taught 5-12th grade in a Rural Alaskan School. He has been living at friendship house since August of 2024 and became the resident director in September. Edward has a passion for building vibrant relationships with his fellow residents, encouraging advocacy skills and being a team leader.
Charis Ling - Resident Director - Friendship House 3
Charis (she/her) recently completed her master's in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Vanderbilt and currently works at an ABA clinic with young children with autism. She has lived at Friendship House 3 since 2022 and became resident director in the summer of 2024. Charis is excited to foster a caring, safe, and loving community with old and new friends living at FH3.
Sophie Mueller, Resident Director - Friendship house 4
Sophie (she/her) is a current student pursuing a Master's of Education in Quantitative Methods. She was a job coach for several years for a non-profit organization and Next Steps at Vanderbilt supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sophie currently works in research focused on employment and mental health outcomes in adulthood for adults with developmental disabilities and is passionate about helping adults with disabilities transition into adulthood and live fulfilling lives. She joined Friendship House 4 and is excited to continue fostering an inclusive community.
Jordan Heykoop, Resident Director - Friendship House 5
Jordan (they/them) is excited to serve as a Resident Director in Friendship House 5! They moved from Friendship House 2, having lived as a student resident since September of 2022 when they were a graduate student studying History at Vanderbilt University. Jordan is grateful to co-create community with new friends in OPN’s newest Friendship House Community. Jordan works as an elementary science teacher and frequently apologies to the other housemates for turning the kitchen into a science lab.