Meet our 2026 Back to School Breakfast Fundraiser Co-chairs
At PENCIL, this time of year is more than getting new school supplies, reuniting with old friends, and heading back to the classroom. It means that our Back to School Breakfast fundraiser, presented by Nissan, will take place!
Before the doors open at Belmont’s Curb Event Center on Friday, August 21, we want to introduce our three fabulous co-chairs Taylor Gentry, Zach Opheim, and Brittany Yokley. They have planned an inspiring morning where guests will hear about PENCIL’s work from city leaders and our Partners, network with community members, and invest in our work to support students and teachers.
Taylor, the Calvert Street Group’s Campaign Coordinator, is tackling her first volunteer involvement with the Breakfast, but she is well aware of all the amazing work PENCIL does. She explains it, “I’ve witnessed the exceptional leadership of my good friend Christiane Buggs who serves as CEO, and my mother Dr. Sharon Gentry who sits on the board of directors.”
What was your favorite subject or teacher in school? Why?
“Ms. Christie Bell was my absolute favorite teacher throughout my entire K-12 career. At Jones Paideia she was the teacher everyone wanted for their 4th grade year. Ms. Bell was more than just a teacher. She was a mentor, friend, and even a maternal figure. Always there when you need her, Ms. Bell poured her entire heart into her students and we could all feel it. Her classroom was a safe space and learning was fun with her.”
Zach is a real estate agent with BDG Partners at Compass Green Hills and Finance Manager at Please & Thank You. With backgrounds in finance, accounting, music, and real estate, he is dedicated to serving Nashville families and strengthening his community. He is also a soon-to-be father of four, is a proud Eakin parent and new PENCIL Board member after co-chairing our Emerging Leaders Board.
Why are you excited to be a Back To School Breakfast chair?
“I’m so excited to serve as a chair because it brings so many of Nashville’s community leaders together around something that truly matters: supporting PENCIL and our public schools as they head into a new school year. It’s a great opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our educators and students, and help kick off the school year on a positive note.”
Brittany is the Community Marketing and Engagement Manager at Old National Bank. As a volunteer, she is a familiar face in the DG PENCIL Box and last year became more involved by joining our Emerging Leaders Board.
What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about PENCIL?
“I wish more people knew just how much PENCIL does for our schools beyond the DG PENCIL Box. While many people recognize that important program, PENCIL’s impact extends so much further. The organization is deeply involved in supporting students, empowering teachers, and building meaningful partnerships that strengthen schools every day. Seeing firsthand the work happening inside classrooms and school communities is truly inspiring and a testament to PENCIL’s commitment to helping every student succeed.”
Now that you’ve met them, please join Taylor, Zach, and Brittany in supporting our schools through PENCIL’s Back to School Breakfast fundraiser on August 21st, and help us raise financial support for PENCIL’s mission of linking community resources to Nashville public schools.
