RESUME
CATHRYN STOUT, Ph.D.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
DIVISION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES ELIMINATION | NASHVILLE, TN
APRIL 2024 - PRESENT
In December 2024, promoted from Director of Faith-Based Partnerships to Director Of Communications & Strategic Partnerships to support broader division goals, reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner.
Implements evidence-based initiatives, builds partnerships, and develops strategic communications to reduce health disparities across Tennessee.
IMPACT
• Faith-Based Engagement: Launched the Faith-Based Engagement Working Group in July 2024 to foster collaboration and resource sharing across TDH divisions. Led the development of a Gifts and Needs Assessment to inform future initiatives and resource allocation. Proposed and secured approval for a new, statewide initiative launching in spring 2025.
• Community Health Initiatives: Spearheaded the development of a new youth health challenge, designing program components including the challenge card, feedback survey, and recognition materials. Collaborated across divisions to design a faith-based health screening initiative that is currently under development.
• Communications & Outreach: Launched the Sacred Spaces, Healthy Places Virtual Briefings for the faith community, with nearly 100 attendees in October 2024. Created digital assets for the division, including online contact forms and graphics to enhance communication and engagement with faith-based partners. Redesigned division newsletter that is distributed to 3,000 readers weekly. Represented the Tennessee Department of Health at community events, including serving as a delegate for the Tennessee Center for AIDS Research 2024 collaborative and panelist for the Memphis Academy of Civic Engagement (MACE).
CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS & BROADCAST SERVICES
MEMPHIS - SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS | MEMPHIS, TN
MAY 2022 - APRIL 2024
TENNESSEE'S LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Among the 25 largest public districts in the United States and the 2nd largest employer in Memphis, the district serves over 110,000 students and 14,000 in more than 214 schools.
Led internal and external communications strategy for Tennessee’s largest public school district—one of the 25 largest in the U.S. Managed a 26-member creative team responsible for producing multimedia content (videos, radio shows, toolkits, press releases, social media, Adobe publications, and graphic design) for an audience of 14,000 employees, 110,000 students, and countless community stakeholders. Executed marketing campaigns to increase enrollment, build public trust, and drive community engagement. Spearheaded crisis communications in response to leadership transitions and public policy shifts.
IMPACT
• Managed a $3 million budget and a team of 26 creatives.
• Executed a marketing campaign to secure $175 million for the construction of two new high schools, the district’s first in 10 years.
• Secured CBS Mornings feature on the district’s social-emotional learning curriculum following the death of Tyre Nichols
• Landed Christmas Day feature in The New York Times spotlighting successes in urban education.
• Produced original music video promoting the district’s success, garnering 42,000 views on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Oversaw the first redesign of the district’s homepage in 10 years. The new homepage is more mobile-friendly, translates into more languages, and includes more features for users with disabilities.
• Launched the district’s 1st family newsletter, distributed to 85,000 families. Boasted a 49% open rate, more than double the industry standard.
• Executed crisis communications during leadership transitions.
• Selected 1 of 15 communication executives invited to the classified National Assessment of Educational Progress prerelease workshop in Washington, DC. Contributed to communications plan for the release of the National Report Card.
• Appointed to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ Next Era Transition Team to advise on education policy.
TENNESSEE BUREAU CHIEF
CHALKBEAT | MEMPHIS, TN
APRIL 2021- MAY 2022
Nonprofit news organization covering one of America's most important stories: the effort to improve schools for all children
Leveraged deep connections within Tennessee’s education community to expand the reach and impact of the education news organization. Built strategic partnerships, engaged philanthropic funders, and positioned the organization as the leading voice in education news across the South. Managed a three-member editorial team, overseeing coverage on curriculum legislation, school safety, and student achievement. Served as a trusted media spokesperson and expert in history education.
IMPACT
• Produced a groundbreaking multimedia project mapping critical race theory legislation, earning mentions in The New York Times, The 1619 Project, and EdWeek.
• Represented the organization on Al Jazeera, joining Nikole Hannah-Jones in an internationally televised discussion on history education. (Featured at 17:25 mark)
• Secured high-profile media exposure, with team’s work featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and twice recognized among Apple News’ most-read stories nationwide. Edited 2 viral stories, one with more than 1,000,000 views on TikTok.
• Advanced conversations with a new seven-figure funder by making the case for elevating Southern voices in education journalism.
• Pushed school district to change controversial practice that harmed student emotional well-being following gun violence.
HISTORY DEPARTMENT CHAIR | ASSISTANT DEAN
MISS PORTER’S SCHOOL | FARMINGTON, CT
JUNE 2019 - APRIL 2021
Private college preparatory school for girls founded in 1843. One of the oldest girls boarding schools in the country
Joined one of the nation’s oldest girls’ boarding schools as History Department Chair, leading a six-member faculty team and overseeing curriculum development. Successfully redesigned course offerings to enhance global competency for a unique student body that included 20% international students. Recognized for leadership and innovation, earning promotion to Assistant Dean, where I oversaw a 40-member faculty and shaped schoolwide faculty development.
IMPACT
• Revamped history curriculum to foster global awareness.
• Led professional development on addressing sensitive topics in the classroom and implementing restorative approaches when needed.
• Broke institutional barriers as the first person of color to serve as a department chair in the school’s 178-year history.
• Managed and mentored three History Department faculty members who earned Teacher of the Year honors in three consecutive years, each recognized for excellence in instruction and student engagement.
ENGLISH FACULTY | DIRECTOR OF WRITING WORKSHOP
CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL & CRH SUMMER PROGRAMS | WALLINGFORD, CT
JUNE 2016 - JUNE 2019
Private, college-preparatory boarding school. Currently ranked as the 2nd best boarding school and 3rd best U.S. high school.
Served as a faculty member at one of the nation’s top-ranked boarding and independent high schools, specializing in curriculum development for interdisciplinary courses in American History, Narrative Writing, and Literature. Integrated digital humanities and project-based learning to enhance critical thinking. Additionally, led a 10-member faculty team for the Summer Programs’ Writing Workshop, which served 250 domestic and international students annually
IMPACT
• Selected as an admission liaison to support student recruitment efforts and collaborate with national talent development programs. Conducted candidate interviews and application reviews to identify high-potential students.
• Developed interdisciplinary courses that bridged historical analysis, storytelling, and digital media.
• Directed faculty for the Summer Programs’ Writing Workshop, overseeing instructional strategy.
• Co-designed the school’s first orientation program for nontraditional students, ensuring a seamless academic and social transition.
REPORTER | COLUMNIST
COMMERCIAL APPEAL | MEMPHIS, TN
DECEMBER 2003 - APRIL 2009
Daily newspaper of Memphis, Tennessee and its surrounding metropolitan area.
Launched journalism career as an Editorial Assistant at the leading daily newspaper serving Memphis, Tennessee, and its metropolitan area. Earned rapid promotions, ultimately advancing to Columnist, where I researched and wrote opinion pieces, feature stories, and news articles on family, relationships, and issues of interest to women. Authored 800+ articles, with select pieces nationally syndicated by the Associated Press.
IMPACT
• Launched three niche magazines catering to senior adults, reaching 60,000+ subscribers.
• Led expansion efforts for two new suburban bureaus, resulting in a 66% increase in publication size and a 50% boost in distribution.
• Won the company Horizon Award for Outstanding Contributions for an Early-Career Journalist.
EDUCATION
In Progress, Master of Arts, Divinity, Candler School of Theology at Emory University and Interdenominational Theological Center
RECIPIENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIP AT ITC – Lilly Foundation
Ph.D., American Studies, Saint Louis University
Fellowship | American Studies Alumni Research Fund Travel Grant | Rhelda Marby Morgan, Ph.D. Endowed Book Fund Award
Master of Arts, Southern Studies, University of Mississippi Graduated
Summa Cum Laude | Graduate Assistantship
Bachelor of Arts, American Studies and Theatre Studies, Wellesley College
Mellon Mays Fellow
RECOGNITIONS
2025, Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Memphis Urban League
2024, Named an Obama USA Leader by the Obama Foundation
2024, Spearheaded initiatives that earned three national Communicator Awards, recognizing excellence in strategic communications, public relations, and video production.
2023, Invited to join White House Press Briefing Vice President Kamala Harris
2022, Next Era Transition Team Member for Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris
2019, 40 Under 40, Memphis Urban Elite Award
2014, Morgan Endowed Book Fund Award
2005, Horizon Award for Outstanding Journalism, E.W. Scripps Company
SELECTED PRESS & PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP
2023, “The New Rules Of Engagement: Building Community And Bonds In The Hybrid Church,” Article, Writer, Link
2022, “Black ministers respond to the pandemic reset,” Press Release, Writer, Link
2022, “As gun violence strikes, this Memphis teacher makes space to grieve,” Chalkbeat, Writer, Link
2022, “How the age-appropriate debate is altering curriculum in Tennessee and nationwide,” Chalkbeat, Lead Editor, Link
2021, “Memphis students challenge the politics of mourning as cultures clash,” Chalkbeat, Writer, Link
2021, CRT Map: Efforts to restrict teaching racism and bias have multiplied across the U.S., Chalkbeat, Researcher, Link
2020, “Remembering Exeter Student and Police Shooting Victim Edmund Perry,” Medium, column, Link
2020, “Why Mound Bayou, MS and Historic Black Towns Matter,” Medium, column, Link
2019, “Political Sport of Bashing Black Women Harms Us All,” The Commercial Appeal, editorial, Memphis, Link
2010, “Opening the Gates of Graceland,” The Commercial Appeal, newspaper editorial, 2010, Link