Kristie Ryan, CFRE, Executive Director

We welcomed Kristie to Fannie Battle as executive director in April 2020. Having served nearly 30 years in non-profit development and management, Kristie has a garnered a depth of knowledge across her profession while working in a variety of non-profit organizations.  Her experience ranges from community based social service agencies, local and national health related organizations, and her sorority’s foundation. 

Kristie was awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 1999 and has continuously maintained the designation since. Additionally, she received a non-profit management certificate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.  She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where she has served in various roles including Nashville Chapter President.  She greatly values her own involvement as a volunteer with various Nashville area organizations having previously served with Nurses for Newborns, Boy Scouts – Troop 86, Faith Family Medical Clinic, Hillcrest UMC, and Brentwood High School, to name a few.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University.  Kristie is a Tennessee native and has been married to her husband, Alan, for 25 years. Together they have two children, a son, Will, who attends the University of Tennessee, a daughter, Anna Gray, who also attends the University of Tennessee, and a labradoodle named Charley.

Ronald Gooch, Jr., Development Director

Ronald “Gooch” joined Fannie Battle in April of 2021 and has experience in marketing, hospitality sales, and development. Having had worked both in the fields of hospitality and community non-profit organizations, people and relationship building are the most important components to creating a thriving community. Currently Gooch serves on the Friends of Shelby Parks and Bottom Board as well as East Nashville Athletics’ Board of Directors. Most recently Gooch received recognition in the East Nashville community being named “East Nashvillian of the Year” according to a local magazine partner, The East Nashvillian. Being a life-long East Nashville native, Gooch has been able to capsulize and really embodies the needed growth towards continuing to build a promising future for the community.

In addition to continuing efforts to spend time in the community, his most valuable time is spent with his family and two boys Ronald, III (9 years old) and Asher (2 years old).

Stacie Spasoff, Program Director

Stacie is a former School Age teacher at Fannie Battle and was promoted to Program Director in 2018. Stacie has her Associate’s Degree in early childhood education and is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree. Stacie has a long background in early childhood care and has been the center director for a multi-site child care, as well as served as a classroom teacher for various age-levels of children prior to joining the Fannie Battle team.

Latara Holt, Instructional Coach

Latara began working at Fannie Battle in 2007, as both a lead preschool and toddler teacher and was promoted to the Infant/Toddler Director in 2018 and then to our Instructional Coach in 2019. Latara holds an Associates Degree and has a vast amount of experience working in a variety of early childhood education centers since 2007, such as Montessori, MNPS schools, and after school programs.