News Release: Epicenter President and CEO Stepping Down for New Role
Epicenter President and CEO
Stepping Down for New Role
Board appoints interim CEO and announces a search process
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May. 30, 2024) – Epicenter announced today that Jessica Taveau is stepping down from her role as Epicenter’s President and CEO. Jessica is starting a new position as a communications strategist with PCI Productions in mid-June. In this role, she will serve as an embedded communications services contractor at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“On behalf of Epicenter’s Board and staff, we are saddened by Jessica’s departure but couldn’t be more supportive of her and her family as she pursues this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Kojo McLennon, Chair, Epicenter Board of Directors. “Through her steadfast leadership, Epicenter has successfully navigated an ever-changing landscape to develop the partnerships, services, and programs required to serve Memphis’ growing entrepreneur community.”
Epicenter’s Board of Directors has appointed Anthony Young as interim CEO. Young spearheaded ecosystem-level capital deployment as Epicenter’s Director of Capital Programs from 2018 to 2022. Most recently, Anthony served as the President of Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Preceding his work at Epicenter, Anthony served as the Economic Development Director at River City Capital, an affiliate of Community LIFT.
In addition to the interim appointment, the Board of Directors will initiate a search for the organization’s permanent President and CEO in the coming weeks.
“With a truly talented team, aided by the interim leadership of Anthony Young, and strong, ongoing stakeholder support, Epicenter is well-positioned to continue its mission to scale tech-enabled businesses,” said McLennon. “The Board of Directors has already begun the search process and intends to find its next President and CEO as expeditiously and effectively as possible.”
Taveau served as the organization’s founding Chief Brand Officer from 2017 to 2020. Under Taveau’s leadership as President and CEO since 2020, the Epicenter team has refined its strategic focus and plan, piloted and expanded programming, increased investment and engagement from corporate and government supporters, elevated regional and national brand awareness among entrepreneurs, and moved its headquarters to downtown Memphis. More information about the organization’s impact under Taveau’s leadership is available in
Epicenter’s 2022-2023 Impact Report.
“Serving as Epicenter's Chief Brand Officer and then its President and CEO for the past seven years has been the ultimate honor and privilege, particularly because of the immense entrepreneurial talent in the region,” said Taveau. “Of course, our incredible team's work of connecting innovative entrepreneurs with high-growth resources will continue without interruption – work that is more critical now than ever. As a lifelong space enthusiast, I consider this a dream role and the only opportunity that could pull me away from our community in the Memphis area.”
Taveau’s last day at Epicenter will be June 7.
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About Epicenter:
Epicenter promotes and activates local innovation and entrepreneurship, which are critical to building a vibrant, inclusive economy, by delivering high-impact resources to tech startups and scaling businesses in the Memphis and Shelby County region. For more information, visit epicentermemphis.org.