The East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) is pleased to announce Ellie Kittrell as its new Executive Director, marking an exciting new chapter for the organization as it continues advancing community-centered design across the region.
A forward-thinking strategic leader with more than 15 years of nonprofit experience, Ellie brings a strong track record of building inclusive systems, strengthening partnerships, and aligning organizations to meet real community needs. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Advancement at United Way of Greater Knoxville, where she worked to connect partners and resources around key social priorities. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at Muse Knoxville, including almost eight years as Executive Director, leading the organization through a period of growth and expanded community engagement.
For Ellie, the opportunity to lead the Design Center is deeply connected to the organization’s unique role in the region.
“I believe strong communities are built through intentional design and collaboration,” she said. “ETCDC has a powerful legacy of using design to solve real challenges across our region. I’m honored to step into this role and continue advancing work that strengthens neighborhoods, supports nonprofits, and creates spaces where individuals and families can thrive.”
Ellie Kittrell
What drew Ellie most strongly to the position is the way ETCDC connects skilled volunteers — architects, planners, designers, and other professionals — with nonprofits and communities that need their expertise. She is equally inspired by the Community Collaborative, which brings diverse voices together to help shape thoughtful, locally grounded solutions to complex challenges. Together, these efforts reflect a shared belief that lasting progress happens when community voice leads and when organizations align their work to support the broader social sector.
Since stepping into the role, Ellie has spent time meeting with staff, board members, committee leaders, and volunteers, and she has been struck by the energy and momentum surrounding the organization. She also expressed gratitude for the leadership of outgoing Executive Director Duane Grieve, whose eight years of service strengthened the Center’s foundation and expanded its regional impact.
Founded in 1970, the East Tennessee Community Design Center works to improve quality of life across the region through design. By connecting communities with volunteer professionals who provide pro bono planning, design, and technical services, the Center helps create stronger organizations, more vibrant public spaces, and more resilient communities.
“Ellie’s strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, and deep roots in the Knoxville community make her an exceptional fit for ETCDC’s next chapter. Her ability to navigate complexity while keeping people at the center of the work will help us continue expanding our impact across the region.”
Carey Parker, ETCDC Board of Directors Chair
As ETCDC builds on more than five decades of community-centered design work, Ellie looks forward to listening, learning, and strengthening partnerships across East Tennessee.
If you would like to connect, share ideas, or learn more about the Design Center’s work, you are invited to reach out directly. Collaboration and community input remain at the heart of ETCDC’s mission, and the organization welcomes continued partnership as it moves forward. To learn more about ETCDC and its programs, visit https://communitydc.org.