Epicenter president and CEO Jessica Taveau is stepping down from the organization effective June 7.
The organization's board appointed Anthony Young as interim CEO, according to a news release.
“On behalf of Epicenter’s board and staff, we are saddened by Jessica’s departure but couldn’t be more supportive of her and her family as she pursues this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Epicenter chair Kojo McLennon said in the release. “Through her steadfast leadership, Epicenter has successfully navigated an ever-changing landscape to develop the partnerships, services, and programs required to serve Memphis’ growing entrepreneur community.”
McLennon said the board has begun the search for a new leader and intends to find them "as expeditiously and effectively as possible."
Taveau has been in the role permanently since 2021 after serving as interim CEO in 2020.
She is leaving to start a position as a communications services strategist with PCI Productions, where she will serve as an embedded communications services contractor at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Taveau served as Epicenter's founding chief branding officer from 2017 to 2020.
“Serving as Epicenter's chief brand officer and then its president and CEO for the past seven years has been the ultimate honor and privilege, particularly because of the immense entrepreneurial talent in the region,” Taveau said in the release. “Of course, our incredible team's work of connecting innovative entrepreneurs with high-growth resources will continue without interruption — work that is more critical now than ever. As a lifelong space enthusiast, I consider this a dream role and the only opportunity that could pull me away from our community in the Memphis area.”
Under her leadership, Epicenter has refined its strategic plan, expanded programming, increased investment, scored major funding, and moved its HQ to Downtown Memphis. Prior to her time with Epicenter, Taveau led communications for the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, a local biotech and medical device support organization, and for the University of Kansas Medical Center. She’s also been active on boards such as the University of Memphis Research Foundation, the Greater Memphis Chamber, Life Science Tennessee, and Women’s Business Center South.
Epicenter's new interim CEO Young previously was its director of capital programs, from 2018 to 2022. He returns to the organization after having served as president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners in Little Rock. He has also served as the director of economic development at Memphis-based River City Capital, an affiliate of Community LIFT, and as an executive with Regions Bank.
