Nellie Ward Cole has over 35 years of experience providing accounting and advisory services to public, private and nonprofit entities. She began her career in the assurance services practice of KPMG, LLP, an international public accounting firm, where she advanced to senior manager. She provided a variety of professional services including management of financial statement and compliance audits, due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions and assistance in the preparation of initial public offerings, bond offerings and other SEC filings. During her tenure, Nellie also coordinated the development and delivery of professional education courses for offices throughout the United States related to Higher Education and Nonprofit Organizations, Healthcare and SEC Reporting and Compliance. After KPMG, she was an assurance services partner in a regional public accounting firm. After leaving public accounting, Nellie served as the Chief Financial Officer of McKendree Village, Inc., a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). McKendree employed 350 employees and provided independent living, assisted living and long-term health care to over 650 residents on its 42-acre campus. In addition to financial management responsibilities, she also had responsibility for human resources, management information systems and marketing. After the sale of McKendree’s assets, Nellie focused on the completion of activities required to close out the corporation. This included post-closing settlement with the buyer, payment of liabilities, regulatory and tax filings, transition of the sponsorship of affordable housing properties and other matters. Nellie provided financial management services in the addiction services field prior to joining a startup healthcare management and consulting firm in the senior services field. She currently provides financial and operational support and services to entities on a contract basis. Nellie is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where she received Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees. She continued to support the educational process by serving as an adjunct faculty member at Tennessee State University and as a member of MTSU Jones College of Business Advisory Board, Belmont University Accounting Advisory Board and Nashville State Community College Computer Accounting Advisory Board. She is the current President of Asbury, Inc. in East Tennessee that includes two CCRCs. During her tenure, significant renovations and new construction have been completed to position the campuses for the future. In addition to Community Life Bridge, past board memberships have included Faith Family Medical Clinic, Alive Hospice, Leadership Middle Tennessee, LeadingAge (Leadership Academy and Chair of LeadingAge Tennessee) and Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (Secretary, President of the Nashville Chapter). Nellie enjoys visual and performing arts including museums, art exhibits, theater, opera, ballet, symphony and live music.