We aim to empower survivors of exploitation on their journey toward financial independence and healing
Our Values
Autonomy
we value empowering each individual’s journey toward financial independence and freedom. We value personal choice and creating space to re-establish freedom for those who have been deprived of the personal liberties that should be the right of every human being.
Belonging
we desire to promote a sense of being part of something bigger but also building the courage to stand alone, and to belong to yourself above all else. This spirit of belonging as yourself should be guarded for every person.
Compassion
we value the action required to show love to our community. We seek to see and understand the trauma and suffering of those around us and to take action for those who have been exploited.
Community
we work to provide individuals who have not been afforded a community of safety and belonging with a chance to build a new sense of community through shared interests and experiences.
Development
we encourage individuals who are on a path of healing by establishing a consistent practice of taking small steps. We work to help survivors feel supported as they start a journey to overcome the overwhelming by focusing on the impact of direction over perfection.
empathy
we encourage our community to have empathy by recognizing how their lives could have been different if they were not afforded security as a child. We value the understanding that comes with learning about what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Meet Our Team
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President | CEO
Rebecca’s heart and passion is in sharing the inclusivity and belonging that come by recognizing and celebrating human connection through an understanding that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. In pursuing a practice of being for the greater whole as a fundamental embrace of who we are, Rebecca pursued an education in the study of human behavior. She holds a lifelong fascination with the puzzle of the mind and how it connects to the needs of the spirit and emotions in the body. This led her to study for and earn her recognition as a Certified Minister in 2010 and her Counseling Certificate through the Institute of Pastoral Counseling while obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. Recently, she spent time developing and leading therapeutic groups at End Slavery TN including art therapy, nutrition classes, and an integrative course on brain health called the Beautiful Mind Group. Leading these groups and working with these resilient women directly gave Rebecca a deep understanding of the gaps in services amongst this population, giving her a readiness and openness to Marybeth’s initial promptings to pursue the beginnings of Spare Change.
Rebecca has been recognized for her diverse talents throughout her business career and currently works with HealthStream as the Sr. Director of Business Enablement leading an outcomes intelligence and process re-engineering team working daily with leaders across the organization to measure and drive business growth within healthcare education. Prior to her work at HealthStream, Rebecca spent time in a variety of roles that provided a rounded experience including: Consulting, Product Development, Project Management, Sales, Digital and Marketing Design, as well as Customer Success and Training. Alongside her career, she has continued to create space and give her energy to serve her community. Deeply moved by the love she has for those around her, she has given much of her personal time to volunteer with youth in her church, provide support in her neighborhood, give to and volunteer for non-profits, and provide housing and jobs for those in need.
Rebecca is known as a visionary and an innovator. She is driven by her unyielding empathy for the world around her. Seeing great need for change and support Rebecca refuses to sit idly by and instead pours herself into the vision she sees for a better world. Seeing great need for change and support, she leverages the skills she’s honed and all she’s learned to meet the needs of those who need it most in every capacity she can.
In her ‘spare time’, Rebecca enjoys riding horses, creating art across many mediums, or hiking at Stone Door with her rescue Akita, Kiah. She values intentional time with her very large family and loves to create space for the relationships in her life.
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Chief Advocacy Officer
Marybeth’s heart and passion are in creating space for those whose are not in a place to be their own advocate. Most recently Marybeth worked directly with survivors of human trafficking advocating as a case manager with End Slavery Tn. Walking alongside these women and understanding their journey in a deeper way over the years inspired her heart with the burden to launch Spare Change. Marybeth has incredible knowledge and experience working hands-on with clients across varying life perspectives. Even before going back to school to earn her Master’s through an accelerated program and beginning her work with End Slavery Tennessee; Marybeth’s passion has been rooted in the care of those around her. While in school she volunteered in a domestic violence shelter, then after completing her undergraduate degree in Social Work, she served as a Case Manager with New Frontiers Youth Program working directly with clients designing and coordinating individual care programs. Across two summers she spent several months at La Casa de Samuel, a children’s home in Venezuela serving as a house mother where she learned Spanish while also teaching English. Having gained these perspectives she returned to MTSU and earned her Masters. While working with End Slavery Tn. Marybeth was promoted from Direct Care Services Coordinator to Care Coordinator Supervisor and Education Program Coordinator. Throughout her time working with the underserved Marybeth has continued to develop her passion for community support and advocate for those the system leaves behind or even works against. Advocating for survivors within the scope of human trafficking has grown her vision as she cast a proposal to start this effort to ease the burden of a few who have been exploited more than most of us can comprehend.When Marybeth is not working, she is usually out exploring the world! She enjoys hiking or riding her bike next to her Australian Shepherd, Andy. Of all her adventures, Iceland has most captured her heart and spirit, and she can’t wait to go back!
Meet Our Team
Rebecca Jensen
President | CEO
Rebecca is a passionate believer in the power of inclusivity, connection, and love and a devout follower of Christ. She has a background in and dedication to understanding the needs of individuals on a spiritual, emotional, psychological, and neurobiological level. She studied for and received her certification in ministry and in counseling while also obtaining her B.S. in Psychology at MTSU.
Recently, she spent time developing and leading therapeutic groups at End Slavery TN including art therapy, nutrition classes, and an integrative course on brain health called the Beautiful Mind Group. Leading these groups and working with these resilient women directly gave an openness to Marybeth’s initial promptings to pursue the beginnings of Spare Change.
In her professional career, Rebecca has served various roles, focusing on business growth and process improvement. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Business Enablement at HealthStream Inc. Rebecca is known for her visionary and empathetic nature, actively working towards creating a better world. Outside of work, she enjoys riding horses, creating art, and spending quality time with her large family and Akita named Kiah.
MaryBeth Jensen
Chief advocacy officer
Marybeth’s heart and passion are in creating space for those who are not in a place to be their own advocate. Most recently Marybeth worked directly with survivors of human trafficking advocating as a case manager with End Slavery TN. Walking alongside these women and understanding their journey in a deeper way over the years inspired her heart with the burden to launch Spare Change. Marybeth has incredible knowledge and experience working hands-on with clients across varying life perspectives. Even before going back to school to earn her Master’s through an accelerated program and beginning her work with End Slavery Tennessee, Marybeth’s passion has been rooted in the care of those around her.
While working with End Slavery TN, Marybeth was promoted from Direct Care Services Coordinator to Care Coordinator Supervisor and Education Program Coordinator. Throughout her time working with the underserved Marybeth has continued to develop her passion for community support and advocate for those the system leaves behind or even works against. Advocating for survivors within the scope of human trafficking has grown her vision as she cast a proposal to start this effort to ease the burden of a few who have been exploited more than most of us can comprehend. When Marybeth is not working, she is usually out exploring the world! She enjoys hiking or riding her bike next to her Australian Shepherd, Andy. Of all her adventures, Iceland has most captured her heart and spirit, and she can’t wait to go back!
Amelia emmert
Chief financial officer
Serving as the chief financial officer of Spare Change, Amelia’s career as a CPA began as an auditor in public accounting with Ernst & Young for 8 years before moving to industry in 2017, where she currently serves as the Controller of HealthStream, Inc. Amelia brings her knowledge of accounting, processes, and diligence to the Spare Change organization, helping ensure the organization is run properly and accurately.
Amelia has always had a passion for helping others, and her role at Spare Change helps fulfill this passion. In her free time, Amelia loves horseback riding and in addition to riding herself, she also volunteers at Saddle Up!, a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities located in Franklin, TN.
At home, Amelia’s family includes husband Justin, elementary-aged twin daughters, and dog Truman who love to go camping and enjoy the outdoors whenever possible.
Josh morgan
Board Secretary and COO
Josh is honored to serve the Spare Change organization and be part of the journey from vision to realization. As a halftime single dad to two teenage boys, he is committed to investing his energy and compassion in the work of helping those within reach achieve their goals. Josh brings a passion for problem solving and order, largely contributing to the “back office” process of the organization.
Josh grew up in the middle Tennessee area. Though he originally set out to do Mechanical Engineering, earning a B.S. at Tennessee Technical University, he later made a shift to the Cyber Security industry. He currently serves as Director of Cyber Security Risk Management at Community Health Systems, a role dedicated to safeguarding the privacy and availability of care for millions of patients across the US.
A lifelong musician and lover of the outdoors, Josh usually spends his weekends annoying his boys with excessively loud showtunes, or napping in a hammock along the greenway. His dog, Lucy, takes up more than her fair share of the bed, and all of his house plants have names.
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Chief Financial Officer
Serving as the chief financial officer of Spare Change, Amelia’s career as a CPA began as an auditor in public accounting with Ernst & Young for 8 years before moving to industry in 2017, where she currently serves as the Controller of HealthStream, Inc. Amelia brings her knowledge of accounting, processes, and diligence to the Spare Change organization, helping ensure the organization is run properly and accurately.
Amelia has always had a passion for helping others, and her role at Spare Change helps fulfill this passion. In her free time, Amelia loves horseback riding and in addition to riding herself, she also volunteers at Saddle Up!, a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities located in Franklin, TN.
At home, Amelia’s family includes husband Justin, elementary-aged twin daughters, and dog Truman who love to go camping and enjoy the outdoors whenever possible.
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Board Secretary and COO
Josh is honored to serve the Spare Change organization and be part of the journey from vision to realization. As a halftime single dad to two teenage boys, he is committed to investing his energy and compassion in the work of helping those within reach achieve their goals. Josh brings a passion for problem solving and order, largely contributing to the “back office” process of the organization.
Josh grew up in the middle Tennessee area. Though he originally set out to do Mechanical Engineering, earning a B.S. at Tennessee Technical University, he later made a shift to the Cyber Security industry. He currently serves as Director of Cyber Security Risk Management at Community Health Systems, a role dedicated to safeguarding the privacy and availability of care for millions of patients across the US.
A lifelong musician and lover of the outdoors, Josh usually spends his weekends annoying his boys with excessively loud showtunes, or napping in a hammock along the greenway. His dog, Lucy, takes up more than her fair share of the bed, and all of his house plants have names.