Model Behavior 2026: Carrie Kitko

As a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Carrie Kitko has dedicated her career to helping children and families navigate one of life’s most difficult journeys. Through the Nashville Wine Auction, she discovered another way to make a meaningful difference — one that brings together her passion for cancer research with a love of food, wine and community.

Carrie and her husband, Matthew Leavitt, attended their first Nashville Wine Auction event in 2016, shortly after moving to Nashville. Friends who knew of their appreciation for food and wine encouraged them to attend a Private Vintner Dinner. And they found more than an exceptional meal. They met a welcoming community committed to improving the lives of those affected by cancer.

Recruited to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2015 as medical director of the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant program, Carrie immediately recognized the alignment between her professional mission and the Nashville Wine Auction’s philanthropic work. She became increasingly involved, serving on committees before joining the board, where she recently completed a 7-year term that included service as board chair. Earlier this year, she and Matthew co-chaired the organization’s Pairings event.

Carrie’s greatest contribution has been shining a spotlight on the challenges facing early-career pediatric oncology researchers. While the Nashville Wine Auction has long supported the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, she recognized an opportunity to educate fellow board members about the funding gap confronting junior faculty members and the reality that pediatric cancer research receives only a small fraction of national cancer funding. Thanks in part to those conversations, the organization now supports pediatric oncology research projects through its annual beneficiary grants.

That impact reflects what Carrie believes makes the Nashville Wine Auction so important. For nearly five decades, the organization has united the wine community to raise millions of dollars for local cancer research, patient care and caregiver support. Because cancer touches nearly every family in some way, its mission resonates across the community.

Carrie’s organizational skills, enthusiasm for wine and relationships with West Coast vintners have also helped strengthen connections between wineries and the Nashville Wine Auction. Yet she says the organization’s greatest reward has been the friendships she’s formed with fellow volunteers who share a commitment to giving back.

Looking ahead, Carrie hopes the Nashville Wine Auction continues to grow its community of supporters, allowing it to invest even more in the local organizations and groundbreaking research working to improve outcomes for cancer patients across Middle Tennessee. 

Dress: ERDEM floral textured satin dress (Gus Mayer)

Shoes: Model’s own

Earrings: The Tulip earrings (Patricia Marie Fine Jewelry)

Bracelet: Diamond star cuff (Patricia Marie Fine Jewelry)