Stepping Stones Safe Haven | Our Team
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Executive Staff
Dr. John D. Rudd
President & Co-FounderDr. John D. Rudd
Dr. Rudd, a native of Middle Tennessee, has been practicing internal medicine in Rutherford County since 1984. After earning his Bachelors’ degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, he furthered his education by completing medical school as well as his residency at the University of Tennessee at Memphis.
Dr. Rudd served on the Research Advisory Committee to the National Institute of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute from 1994-1998. Currently, he is the Medical Director of the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. Dr. Rudd enjoys spending his free time working in the yard and fishing, but his main love is spending time with his three children- Chris, Abby and Madison.
Dr. Rudd served on the Research Advisory Committee to the National Institute of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute from 1994-1998. Currently, he is the Medical Director of the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. Dr. Rudd enjoys spending his free time working in the yard and fishing, but his main love is spending time with his three children- Chris, Abby and Madison.
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Jessica Teter
Vice President & Co-FounderJessica Teter - Co-Founder
Originally from Huntsville AL, Jessica and her husband have lived in the Murfreesboro, TN area since 2002. Jessica is an MTSU alum and is currently working on her master’s in social work. Jessica and her husband have three children. Jessica has volunteered with several organizations within this Middle TN area and it is her mission is to empower women especially those that do not have a great support system. She loves working with children to see them succeed and be their cheerleader. Thank you, Jessica, for following your heart and God to be a stepping stone and safe haven for the least of these.
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Jenny Lambert
Executive DirectorJenny Lambert
Jenny Lambert was born and raised in the Knoxville, TN area and moved to Murfreesboro almost 20 years ago. She attended Pellissippi State and the University Of Tennessee, where she is currently working on obtaining a Certification in Victim Advocacy. She also plays active roles in FAM (Family Advocates Of Murfreesboro) and Fight the New Drug (an anti-porn movement that helps raise awareness of the harmful effects of porn).
Jenny’s past experience includes her role as Director of Human Resources at Easter Seals Tennessee where she oversaw the Human Resources function on a statewide level. She left that role to start a career in the corporate recruitment industry where she has spent the last sixteen years successfully leading Recruitment and Human Resources teams as an Operations Manager.
Jenny and her husband, Barry, have three sons, Spencer, Brady, and Avery. They are members of World Outreach Church. In her spare time, Jenny is an avid reader and a huge Vol fan. She also enjoys kayaking and spending time with her family.
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Jessica Stephens
Community Relations DirectorJessica Stephens
Community service and helping others has always been a passion for Jessica Stephens, our Community Relations Director. Jessica comes to Stepping Stones Safe Haven with over a decade of experience in organizational finance, fundraising and public relations. Having worked in Tennessee politics at the local, state and national level Jessica enjoys keeping up with current news and events. Jessica has one young son, Grove. She’s an avid animal lover and has three rescue dogs. She is a graduate of The University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
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Board of Directors
Verkita Washington, MSSW
Board MemberVerkita Washington, MSSW
Verkita Washington was raised in a small town named Huntland, Tennessee. After graduating from Huntland High School, she relocated to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to attend undergraduate courses at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). While at MTSU, Verkita pursued dual degrees and one minor. In 2014, she received her Bachelors in Psychology, Bachelors in Social Work, and minor in Women Gender Studies. Verkita returned to school in 2016 to obtain her Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee through a CSWE accredited program. December of 2017, Verkita received her Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Verkita’s long-term goals include obtaining a licensure of clinical social work and a doctorate in clinical psychology while continuously serving at risk populations of her residential community. Her short-term goals include, but are not limited to, becoming licensed masters social worker and certified in EMDR, TF-CBT, and other psychotherapy modalities. In her spare time, Verkita especially enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and napping, as well as, reading, catching up with friends and family, binge watching her favorite television shows, and discovering delicious and authentic cultural foods.
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Kimberly Clarke
Board MemberKimberly Clarke
Kimberly grew up in Middle TN and has lived in Murfreesboro for over 15 years. Kimberly is a single mom with two beautiful daughters and a grandmother of a sweet one year old. She has worked with the homeless women and children of Rutherford County for over 3 years. She has a passion for wanting to cultivate a mentor program to help homeless women and children to move out of homelessness and into a better way of life for them and their children.
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Ginger Scott
Board MemberGinger Scott
Ginger is from Cleveland, TN but has lived in middle TN since 1992 after arriving to attend MTSU. Ginger graduated from MTSU with her bachelors and masters degree in education and taught for Rutherford County schools for 10 years before retiring to homeschool her children. Ginger is married to Brent Scott and together they have four children ranging from 2-11 yrs old. As a young child Ginger accompanied her father as he drove the bus for their church bus ministry for inner city kids which set the stage for the ministry she feels the Lord has brought to her life in the last couple of years with the local homeless women and children. “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it”
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