Meet the NBC Team
NBC Board Members
“I’m a reader who believes passionately that stories can guide, entertain, and connect all of us.”
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.
“I’m a reader who as a child stayed up with a flashlight to read and as an adult carries a book with me at all times. I'm a reader who reads for enjoyment, relaxation, knowledge, and connection. I'm a reader who at my current rate of reading, will take more than 5 years to complete my list of books to read ... and I add to it all the time!”
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!
"I’m a reader who believes that there is a book out there for everyone, even the most reluctant readers. Finding the right book is a truly special moment, and I love sharing that sense of discovery with others."
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.
“I am a reader who loves curling up and reading a book aloud to my daughter. Her passion for reading and stories inspires me to take time to read myself.”
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.
“I’m a reader who is always excited to open a new book and routinely wishes she had the time and determination to sit down and finish it in a single sitting.”
Montgomery Barreto, CPA
Montgomery is a Knoxville, Tennessee, native and an alumna of Middle Tennessee State University. She has nearly two years of experience in public accounting and has worked on numerous audits of non-profit entities. Since the day she first decided to pursue a career in accounting, Montgomery knew she wanted to use her area of expertise to support her broader community. She is honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside Nashville Book Connection (NBC) in promoting a culture of readership in this city.
“I’m a reader who loves being cozy on the screen porch swing while it’s raining outside, with a cup of coffee in my hand, and a promise that no one will interrupt me for at least 18 minutes. This happens once a year…on Mother’s Day. (The rain is negotiable.)”
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.
Emily Ladyman
Bio coming soon…