Susan Vandergriff
Contraceptive education and access program A Step Ahead Chattanooga announced that Executive Director Susan Vandergriff will be leaving the non-profit organization effective May 31.
Ms. Vandergriff says she is shifting from her career in non-profit management to pursue an entrepreneurial business venture that will donate a portion of profits to help individuals struggling with mental health issues and addiction.
"It was a difficult decision,” said Ms. Vandergriff. “My time at A Step Ahead has been extremely rewarding. I have loved seeing the difference we have made for area women over the years and the impact we continue to have in our community. I’ll always be passionate about this work, but I’ve recently felt a pull to create something of my own that will benefit another cause that I care deeply about.”
Ms. Vandergriff has been with ASAC since August 2015, joining the organization less than one year after it was launched to provide information and access to free birth control to women in Hamilton County. The organization has since expanded to serve women throughout southeast Tennessee, north Georgia, and north Alabama. She was named executive director in August 2019 following the retirement of Rachel Schulson, the organization’s founding director.
During Ms. Vandergriff’s tenure as executive director, A Step Ahead Chattanooga has received several highly competitive grants allowing a considerable expansion of programs, services, and staff. A Step Ahead Chattanooga’s efforts under Ms. Vandergriff have received national attention. In 2020, the organization was featured on an episode of MTV’s Teen Mom OG, and ASAC received the prestigious Clarence B. Jones Impact Award that honors communications for good that made a difference.
ASAC Board President Stephanie Hays says Ms. Vandergriff is leaving the organization well-prepared for the future. "Susan guided the board through an extensive strategic planning process, leaving us with a well-defined vision and goals, and solid partnerships needed to pursue them. A Step Ahead continues to grow stronger and make great strides toward realizing our vision of a world where women become pregnant on their terms enabling them, their families, and communities to thrive.”
ASAC is funded by donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and local and national foundations. Local funders include the Lyndhurst and Benwood Foundations, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Hamico, Inc., The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, and the Weldon F. Osborne, George R. Johnson, Lillian L. Colby, and Chrysalis Foundations.
A recent multi-year commitment from The Elsa and Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation will provide $200,000 in 2021, allowing ASAC to create new Spanish-language educational materials, contract with a Spanish-speaking health educator, support a new partnership with a rural medical provider in Grundy County, and hire a full-time regional community investment officer to focus on developing financial support for rural counties. The grant also includes a 1:1 match on new and increased donations from Hamilton County and a 2:1 match on new and increased donations from counties in ASAC’s rural service area.
Ms. Hays said a search for Ms. Vandergriff’s replacement will begin immediately. “ASAC’s search committee is already working to find the ideal candidate to take the reins as our next executive director,” said Ms. Hays. “We’re in a very healthy position as an organization and are seeking a leader that can build on our current success and the foundational work of Rachel and Susan that began seven years ago.”
Ms. Vandergriff will stay on until the end of May and work alongside the new executive director to ensure a smooth transition.