Oasis Center Press Release

Mark Dunkerley Stepping Down as President and CEO of the Oasis Center
Non-profit leader to depart in June after 15 years with one of Nashville’s premier youth organizations

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 8, 2025 – The Oasis Center, one of Nashville’s leading youth-serving organizations, announced today that Mark Dunkerley will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 30, 2025. Dunkerley has played a critical role in the organization’s growth over the past fifteen years, serving in a variety of roles from Development Director, Chief Strategy Officer, and President and CEO since 2021. Prior to joining the staff, Dunkerley served as a volunteer on the street outreach team while also donating half of the profits from his business, the Jubilee Craft Beer Company, to the agency.

Since Dunkerley joined Oasis in 2010, revenue has grown from $4 million to $7.2 million, while building operating reserves of nearly $4 million. The Nashville native was also instrumental in helping to lead a city-wide initiative to address youth homelessness, which eventually allowed Nashville to be one of only five cities selected to receive a $3.53 million Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Grant.

For more than 55 years, the Oasis Center has served as a critical community resource for teens, youth and their families. The needs and services have evolved over time, but the drive to support and improve the lives of local youth has remained constant. Over the past several years, the Oasis Center has been able to grow that mission in large part through increased funding for new offerings and increased capacity in programs and services, ultimately to reach more lives in the greater Nashville community.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Oasis Center for fifteen wonderful years,” said Dunkerley. “I am proud to say that during my time with the agency, Oasis has made a difference in the lives of so many children, and we subsequently have laid the groundwork for future success. I know I am leaving the agency in good hands, and it is the right time for me to start a new chapter in my career. I look forward to helping Oasis have a smooth leadership transition and then returning to my original role of being an advocate and cheerleader for one of Nashville’s most treasured community resources.”

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deep gratitude to Mark for his 15 years of dedication to Oasis Center,” said Jill Heyman, Oasis Board Chair. “During his tenure, Mark has been instrumental in driving development growth to support programming and building partnerships within the community to create an ecosystem where youth can get the support they need. We wish Mark the very best in his next chapter and look forward to building on the strong foundation he helped establish as we look to find our next great leader."

About the Oasis Center:
The Oasis Center, one of Nashville’s leading youth-serving organizations, provides a wide range of services that reflect the diverse needs of youth and their families. From crisis intervention and youth leadership to community engagement and college and career access, their 20+ programs are based on the foundation of four areas for youth success: Safety, Belonging, Empowerment and Generosity. The Oasis Center began in 1969 as a drop-in center for young people in crisis, offering safety and intervention to Nashville’s most vulnerable youth. It now provides hope, healing and support to over 4,000 youth and their families per year. For more information about the Oasis Center, please visit https://oasiscenter.org/.

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