BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Compassion Counseling is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who share a deep commitment to accessible, community-centered mental health care. Our board members bring diverse professional backgrounds, lived experience, and a shared passion for strengthening the emotional well-being of Blount County and surrounding communities.
The Board provides governance, strategic oversight, and financial stewardship to ensure that Compassion Counseling remains mission-driven, sustainable, and responsive to emerging community needs. Working alongside leadership and staff, the Board supports long-term planning, resource development, and accountability while championing our sliding-scale model that ensures no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
More than advisors, our Board members serve as ambassadors—advocating for mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering meaningful partnerships across the community. Their leadership helps ensure that Compassion Counseling continues to grow thoughtfully while remaining rooted in compassion, dignity, and access for all.
Download Board Member Job Description
Jill Murphy
Board Chair
Jill Murphy grew up in Birmingham, AL and attended Auburn University and the University of Montevallo. She holds degrees in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Youth Services and a Masters of Education in Agency Counseling. She worked as a mental health provider for many years, owned and operated a regional magazine and has found many ways to serve children and families in Tennessee
Jill has been married to Ted since 1995, and their children, Elise and Ben, have flown the nest. Elise is a chemical engineer in South Carolina and Ben is Director of Marketing for the college of Business at ETSU. Jill is an active member at Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville.
When not at work, Jill can be found spending time with her family, reading, hiking, traveling, paddleboarding and enjoy this life God gave her!
Jill Pope
Jill Pope grew up in Knoxville and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Lincoln Memorial University. She holds degrees in Spanish, Curriculum & Instruction, and Administration & Leadership. She worked at Maryville High School for the last 25 years of her career. After retiring from 32 years as a public high school teacher, Jill is now the executive director of DayBreak Dementia Respite.
Jill has been married to Albert since 1990, and their daughter is pursuing a PhD in near east archaeology. Jill is an active member at First United Methodist Church, Maryville and has also volunteered at many charities in the Knox and Blount county areas for decades.
When not at work, Jill can be found hiking the trails of Tennessee and North Carolina, baking, making stained glass, reading and traveling.
Jana Fitts
Jana Fitts is an accomplished Operations Associate Manager at Accenture, LLC with over 15 years of finance and accounting experience across several key industries. Specializing in financial consulting and process optimization, Jana excels in strategic planning and operations leadership. Throughout her career, Jana has focused on ensuring feedback flows through the entire cycle to decrease knowledge gaps and optimize business processes.
In addition to her professional expertise, Jana enjoys cooking and following their heart rather than a recipe. She is an avid volunteer in the community working with the youth and on the job she is a co-lead of the African-American Employee Resource Group, promoting an inclusive work environment and building community partnerships. Jana believes that building strong communities of inclusion is important because representation matters.
You can connect with Jana on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-fitts-91965283
Casey Boring
Jeff Tuck
Jordan Walley
Director of Council on Children’s Mental Health & Youth Transitions Advisory Council