Meet the NBC Team
NBC Board Members
Lara Apgar, MS, MSIS
Lara taught middle school English in Seattle, WA for 12 year before making Nashville her home in 2012. While raising her family, she continued her work in schools, eventually gaining two master’s degrees – one in Curriculum and Instruction and one in Library and Information Sciences. She also earned a special distinction in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Clare Levy Clarke, Ed.D.
Clare is the Founder and Executive Director of Nashville Book Connection (NBC). She was lucky enough to fall in love with teaching and learning and pretty much “all things” school early in life. She started her career as a high school history teacher and advisor in new, progressive schools (in NYC and Los Angeles) where authentic, student-centered teaching and learning were core practices. From there, she dove into the world of education reform, working as a curriculum designer, school reviewer, teacher advocate, and adjunct professor.
In her pursuits toward building multiple avenues for student success, Clare launched NBC in 2019. She firmly believes that starting with elementary literacy–in conjunction with nurturing children’s agency in their own learning–is essential to guiding them toward an adulthood full of aspiration and meaning.
Polly DuBose
Polly is an accountant who thinks everything is better in a spreadsheet! As the child of two writers and the grandchild of a librarian, she grew up surrounded by books. As a mother she is surrounding her own child with books and passing on the love of reading. Helping put more books in the hands of more children is why Polly is excited to join the team at NBC. Through expanding literacy we develop more critical thinkers and empathetic humans.
She has a long history of volunteerism with a focus on environmental issues, political campaigns, the elderly, and children's causes. She now continues that work with her family by her side.
Dru Bredesen, MSN, RN, PNP-BC
Dru is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with a passion for infant and early childhood development, maternal and public health, and promoting wellness. She currently works at Nurses for Newborns, providing family home visits so every baby can be healthy, safe, and achieve their full potential.
As these infants become school-aged, there is a natural transition to the work NBC does to support and grow their reader identities. Supporting security, agency, social-emotional health, and opportunities to connect through reading are the ways to nurture curious, resilient, amazing kids, a goal we all share!
Kimberly Danson
A native of Wisconsin, Kimberly brings over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, curriculum specialist, and educational consultant. She currently serves as an administrator at an independent school in Nashville, where she continues her commitment to literacy and student success. Kimberly's deep expertise in literacy and curriculum development uniquely supports the mission and leadership of Nashville Book Connection, helping to advance its goal of inspiring a love of reading in all children. Her favorite NBC activity is the Classroom Program—an initiative close to her heart as a former classroom teacher who understands the lasting impact of bringing engaging literacy experiences directly into students’ learning environments.
Katie Elam
Katie is the Director of Statewide Initiatives for the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) where she oversees all of the Foundation’s community-based initiatives, including Statewide Early Literacy Education Collaborative of Tennessee (SELECT), Literacy Lights, Book Buses, and Storybook Trails. Prior to GELF, Katie was a school-based educator. She started her career as an early childhood teacher at a developmental preschool, taught Pre-K blended with Metro-Nashville Public Schools, and later served as a dean and assistant principal at an elementary charter school in Nashville, TN.
Katie applies her interests and expertise to NBC by leveraging her experience in education and literacy to support planning and design of NBC's innovative programs. She is also a data lover who jumps at every chance she gets to dig into student surveys and feedback.
Jeneisha Harris
Community Organizer, Writer and IT professional. Jeneisha is an Informational technology Project Manager at HCA managing a wide array of data migration and nursing technology portfolios. She serves as the Founder and Operational Director of the Free Community Food Program based in Nashville TN. Jeneisha's favorite NBC activity is the Book Cart program as it provides diverse book choices for student readers to collect and enjoy. Her multifaceted professional expertise offers NBC valuable skills within the areas of community, programming, literacy and youth advocacy.
Adrienne Kimble
Adrienne serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A proud Montgomery, Alabama native, Adrienne is an alumna of both Auburn University and Troy University. She is deeply committed to community service, giving back through board leadership with several Nashville-area nonprofits focused on children’s literacy, women’s empowerment and leadership, and alumni engagement. A lifelong reader and the daughter of a college professor, Adrienne grew up surrounded by the values of education and purpose-driven work. She understands firsthand the lasting impact of literacy and reader identity on a child’s future, and she brings that passion to everything she does.
Lauren Melancon
Lauren is an avid book lover and mother to a voracious reader. She is currently the Education Director for a non-profit dance collective in Nashville, TN. Nashville Book Connection (NBC) allows Lauren to share her passion for books and reading with young readers through robust, mission-centered programming. After years of working in higher education, Lauren is thrilled to utilize her project management, grants management, and communications skills to benefit the mission and vision of Nashville Book Connection.
Emily Ladyman
Bio coming soon…