Fresh Faces of Philanthropy: Mary Avent

Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) lives and breathes its mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Through a decade of working with BGCMT to provide academic support, character development and leadership skills to young people, Mary Avent has seen firsthand how a safe and positive environment can empower children to succeed. Even before embarking on her own philanthropic path, Mary watched her parents’ volunteer efforts, including her mother’s work with Boys & Girls Clubs in her hometown. 

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee plays a crucial role in helping shape the future of Davidson and Williamson counties by investing in youth and helping them reach their full potential,” Mary says. 

She is proud to be the first minority to serve as president of the organization’s Club Blue young professionals group, which she helped found. Along the way, she has led club traditions like the holiday gift-wrapping party, Trunk or Treat and the Love Me to Pieces Valentine’s Day event. Mary has supported Wine Down Main Street, the Ingram Cup Golf Challenge and the Great Futures Gala, organizing volunteers from HCA Healthcare, where she works as a Parallon senior project manager. 

For the past five years, Mary has served as a judge for BGCMT’s Youth of the Year program, recognizing young leaders who have triumphed over personal challenges and made contributions to their club and community. Committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, Mary supports local winners as they prepare for the state level of competition. 

Through her work, Mary hopes to expand the reach of Boys & Girls Clubs, serve more young people and transform more lives in a world of constantly evolving challenges. “I aspire for the organization to persist in its pursuit of innovation and novel initiatives to meet the dynamic challenges facing today’s young generation,” she says.

Dress: Jovani from Glitz Nashville

Earrings: Florit + Fauna

Necklace: Kendra Scott