The Miller Tanner difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that bring our corporate meetings and events to life for our clients.
Today, we want to introduce you to Carolyn Hendricks, Global Conference Planner (GCP) at Miller Tanner. In addition to her role as GCP, Carolyn led our corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort this past year both locally and globally. Not only was it an opportunity for MTA to give back to the community, but to also build comradery among the team while serving together.
Meet Carolyn Hendricks
Tell us about your current role with MTA – what do you do as a global conference planner?
I coordinate the logistics and finest details of a meeting. From organizing attendee reservations to creating meeting-specific visuals and handouts, the role is a blend of data management, design, and customer service. Every day is a little different – I love the variety in my work.
What are your primary responsibilities?
As a GCP, I support our clients’ needs by managing the details in the planning phase of a meeting. I also coordinate the registration and reservation experience for attendees and assist in carrying an excellent customer experience through to the end of a meeting on site.
Another interesting part of my role is producing reports for our compliance department. I work with our Director of Compliance and Finance Department to ensure all post-meeting expense reporting is accurate and complete for our clients.
How long have you been with MTA?
2 years and 2 months
What did you do before joining MTA?
Prior to joining MTA, I worked in Human Resources with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In my role, I assisted with onboarding new employees on the academic and medical sides of the institution and supported current employees with various HR-related needs. It was rewarding to be a part of a large, “well-oiled” organization, making a major impact in academia and medicine.
What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job as a global conference planner (GCP)?
I am a “helper” at-heart. I feel most alive when collaborating with a team to complete a project, and contributing my piece of the puzzle with excellence. I thrive in a fast-paced and exciting environment, which I find is the “norm” in my position. I enjoy problem-solving, analyzing, and organizing as well – all of which are parts of my role as a GCP.
You recently organized a volunteer opportunity for MTA Tennessee-based employees at Second Harvest Food Bank. Tell us about that experience. Why did you choose Second Harvest? What did the team gain from participating in the event?
I am drawn to the influence of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee because of their rich history in the Greater Nashville Area and their current mission to serve the community. Founded in 1978, Second Harvest began with the goal to collect food that would otherwise be wasted, inspect and sort this food, and distribute it to the hungry. Today, that mission forges on with the support of over 450 partner agencies, providing more than 24 million meals of food to hungry children, families, and seniors throughout 46 counties.
Miller Tanner Associates lending a hand at Second Harvest Food Bank in Nashville.
I love the idea of putting something (anything!) to use that would have otherwise been thrown away. I believe it is our responsibility as people on this amazing earth to be resourceful and purposeful, and Second Harvest aligns with this belief.
Our team of 10 people took an afternoon to volunteer at the downtown Nashville location to sort and label food. We have volunteered twice now and the last time we were there, we prepared over 5,000 meals by jumping into Second Harvest’s normal process of inspecting and organizing food.
It is neat because it is not only a way to assist Second Harvest, but it is a way to connect as a team and meet other people from the Nashville community. Our team worked in partnership with a team from a local bank, and we were able to get to know them while completing our task at hand. The team gained comradery and perspective from serving together.
I love the quote “Many hands make light work”. I believe our united effort, in addition to our time spent together doing different “work” than usual made our time very rewarding.
You also organized a Heifer International donation during the holidays. Tell us about that experience. What did the team accomplish? What did your donation purchase?
In addition to our team’s local philanthropic involvement, MTA is focused on a global level of service. I chose Heifer International as our recipient for company-wide giving around the December holidays.
Our team raised funds to support a program through Heifer International.
From Honduras to Nepal to Eastern Africa, Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. One of the most inspiring parts of Heifer’s global impact is their commitment to establish sustainable infrastructure in impoverished areas to empower and educate locals, rather than a donate a one-time “hand-out”.
Our team raised enough money to send two girls to school and provide funding for a woman to start her own business. These are both investments in livelihood and can sustain these women for seasons of life in contrast to a finite donation.
For more than 70 years, Heifer has been working in 125 countries to lift over 25 million families out of cyclical hunger and poverty. What an extraordinary organization with which to join for the greater good in our world!
Are you personally involved with other causes? Yes, I volunteer with Thistle Farms, an organization that supports women who have survived prostitution, trafficking, and addiction and employs more 45 survivors through their social enterprises.
Why is philanthropy important to MTA?
Philanthropy is important to MTA because our company is comprised of generous, global citizens who value the act of giving. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is all about the people involved, and when MTA team members are provided the opportunity to give, they do so with joy and positivity.
On a daily basis, we inspire and equip each other to provide an excellent product for our clients. Our internal culture is one of authenticity and support focused on team goals and team benefit. We find meaning in expanding this practice outside our company to the global community for the sake of sharing kindness, generosity, and investing in the “good” happening in the world.
- Meet MTA: Steven Garberg, Software Engineer, MTA Technology Services - September 15, 2020
- Case Study: How a Hotel Contract Cancellation Clause Resulted in Zero Penalty During Pandemic - August 20, 2020
- Virtual Events: Frequently Asked Questions - August 11, 2020