Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Epicenter, the Memphis-based entrepreneur center, announced late Thursday that Jessica Taveau is stepping down from her role as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She is starting a new position as a Communications Strategist with PCI Productions in mid-June. In this role, she will serve as an embedded communications services contractor at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“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,” said Kojo McLennon, Chair of the Epicenter Board of Directors. “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.”

Following the announcement, the Board of Director appointed Anthony Young as Interim CEO. He spearheaded ecosystem-level capital deployment as Epicenter’s Director of Capital Programs from 2018 to 2022. Most recently, Young served as the President of Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Little Rock, AR. Preceding his work at Epicenter, he served as the Economic Development Director at River City Capital, an affiliate of Community LIFT.

The Board of Directors will initiate a search for the organization’s Permanent President and CEO in the coming weeks.

Taveau served as the organization’s first Chief Brand Officer from 2017 to 2020. Under her leadership as President and CEO since 2020, the Epicenter team has refined its strategic focus and plan, piloted and expanded programming, increased investment and engagement from corporate and government supporters, elevated regional and national brand awareness among entrepreneurs, and moved its headquarters to downtown Memphis.

---