About Charlane
When it comes to turning pain into purpose, few embody that principle like Senator Charlane Oliver. More than a politician, she is a fierce public servant committed to the liberation and transformation of her community, and her star is still rising. With a career spanning two decades, Charlane has worked in every facet of nonprofit organizations, corporate impact, state and federal government, and grassroots movement building, achieving more in 20 years than many accomplish in a lifetime.
Charlane’s deep experience in nonprofit and civic leadership is unparalleled. From Hurricane Katrina to the Covid-19 deadly global pandemic, she has successfully navigated roles – in the toughest of conditions – from program leader to communications guru and executive director, turning around struggling initiatives and increasing budgets, such as her work with the Knoxville Leadership Foundation, where, at the age of 25, she tripled the operating budget of Amachi Knoxville, a mentoring program for kids of incarcerated parents. As a co-founder of The Equity Alliance, she grew the nonpartisan organization from a $250 startup to a $2.5 million powerhouse with statewide chapters in just five years. As a former aide to U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper, her efforts leading Project Register proved to be the most successful voter registration campaign in Congress, recruiting more than 215 Middle Tennessee companies – including Nashville’s top 25 employers – and boasting the state’s highest voter turnout in Davidson County in 2018. The Little Rock, Arkansas native’s award-winning work spans both outer community engagement and inner organizational leadership, empowering nonprofits and companies to build, grow, and pivot for success.
Now a sought-after consultant and speaker, Charlane leverages her expertise to help leaders, especially those new to the field, navigate the complexities of building sustainable, impactful organizations. With a history of working in every role within nonprofits, Charlane understands the challenges and opportunities from the inside out, making her uniquely equipped to help others create transformative change.
