Tanner Foundation

Foundation Staff

Nichole Fannin

Executive Director

As executive director at Tanner Medical Foundation, Nichole Fannin provides strategic leadership to develop, direct and execute the mission-driven work of the Foundation and its Board of Trustees. She works on behalf of Tanner Health System to secure philanthropic investment for the advancement of exceptional health care within the communities Tanner serves. Nichole has spent more than a decade working to promote philanthropy and showcase the empowerment that comes from giving – for both donors and recipients.

Nichole holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public administration from the University of West Georgia. Nichole and her husband, Cole, and their three children, are residents of Carrollton, Georgia, and are members of First Baptist Church of Carrollton. Nichole has been actively involved in many organizations and groups, including the Rotary Club of Carrollton, Leadership Carroll, and the University of West Georgia Alumni Association Board of Directors, to name a few.

In 2022, Nichole was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Rising Star for the west Georgia region. In 2021, she received the Emerging Leader Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District III. She was recognized in the inaugural class of UWG’s Thriving Under Thirty award recipients and named the 2006 Chattooga County Businesswoman of the Year by the Women’s Organization of Cloudland, Georgia.

“As a non-profit healthcare system, Tanner serves a critical role in our community providing high-quality care locally- easing the burden of access for our families, friends, and neighbors. As a member of Tanner Foundation team, I have the honor to help inspire support and promote the impact philanthropy has on providing life giving and life enhancing healthcare within the west Georgia region.”

Janet Bradley Whitt

Finance and Operations Specialist

For 20 years, Janet Bradley Whitt has served the community through strategic positions at Tanner Foundation. As Finance and Operations Specialist, she manages the general accounting functions and donor database for the Foundation. Her duties include monitoring endowments, processing month end close, preparation and distribution of reports and maintaining the integrity of donor information.

Janet has earned certificates in Philanthropy Operations, Elements of Major Gifts, Planned Giving and Hospice Development from the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Madison Institute and bCRE certification from Blackbaud University. Janet attended the University of West Georgia and is a current member of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy.

“A personal goal of mine is to help others. As a member of the Foundation team, I am able to use my talents to support the philanthropic efforts for Tanner Health System to help ensure that quality healthcare is available for all in our community.”

Lauren Gledhill Gann

Donor and Community Engagement Manager

Lauren Gledhill Gann is the Development Officer at Tanner Foundation. She works closely with the executive director to build effective strategies and provide leadership in donor development, community engagement and visibility, and executive Foundation operations. Lauren has earned certificates in Fundamentals in Resource Development, Annual Giving, and Elements of Major Gifts from the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Madison Institute.

Lauren is a graduate of Oak Mountain Academy and holds a bachelor's in psychology from LaGrange College. While at LaGrange College, Lauren had unique fundraising opportunities — including being the co-founder of Panthers Pounce on Autism, a 5K run to support Autism Speaks.

Lauren lives in Carrollton, Georgia, with her husband, Curtis, and their daughter. They are members of King’s Chapel Presbyterian Church.

“I love working at the Tanner Foundation because the work that we do truly makes a positive impact on our community. It is such a blessing to have access to quality healthcare close to home, and it is great be a small part of ensuring that great care for years to come.”

Ketty Cusick

Director of Development

Serving as Director of Development, Cusick focuses on enhancing the visibility of the Tanner Medical Foundation and securing philanthropic investments to advance exceptional health care in the communities Tanner serves. Ketty brings over sixteen years of experience in higher education and has spent nearly a decade working in philanthropy, most recently serving as the Senior Director of Development for the University of West Georgia Foundation.

Ketty has been recognized as a "40 Under 40 Rising Star" by the newspapers of west Georgia and is actively involved in the community. She serves on the Finance Commission and chairs the Endowment Commission at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

She holds a bachelor of arts in German language and literature from the University of West Georgia and a master's in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University. She resides in Carrollton with her husband, Corey, and their two sons, and they are proud members of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

“Serving the Tanner Foundation is so meaningful to me as a member of our community. I am grateful to have the opportunity to help create the best healthcare system possible for west Georgia and east Alabama, and to work as part of the Tanner team providing the best quality health care for all.”

Abbigale Clifford

Grants and Operations Coordinator

Abby Clifford serves as the Grants and Operations Coordinator, a new role at Tanner Foundation. She provides administrative support for grants awarded to Tanner Health System. This includes supporting fund allocation, grant compliance/reporting, and working closely with the respective grant-awarded areas within Tanner Health System. She also supports the indigent, cancer patient, and mammogram assistance programs.

Abby earned her bachelor’s and master’s from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. Her background is in public health and she is passionate about healthy lifestyle science.

Abby and her husband, Grayson, live in Carrollton, Georgia, and are members of Midway Church.

“At the Tanner Foundation, I’m able to contribute towards community improvement in health and quality of life, in a place where I call home. I’m proud to be a part of such a unique town where healthcare is thriving.”