Cempa Community Care’s Shannon Burger Stephenson Selected for Leadership Tennessee — Class IX

Stephenson will join a cohort of 45 leaders from across Tennessee to learn more about critical issues facing the state in an effort to encourage beneficial outcomes.

Chattanooga, Tennessee (June 15, 2022) — Cempa Community Care’s CEO, Shannon Stephenson, will be a member of the Leadership Tennessee — Class IX cohort. Out of more than 300 nominations, Stephenson was chosen to participate with 44 other leaders from across the Volunteer State, including eight additional leaders from Hamilton County.

The full slate of Class IX participants was selected, according to a Leadership Tennessee announcement, to represent each Grand Division and “take part in statewide study while visiting different areas of Tennessee, learning best practices and analyzing important issues faced by Tennesseans.”

“As a lifelong Tennessean, I have committed my professional and personal lives to bettering the standing of those who call this state home, now and in the future,” said Stephenson. “Given that commitment, I am excited to join with other leaders from across the state who have a passion for leveraging our collective knowledge and resources to more deeply understand and solve some of the most pressing matters facing us.”

Since 2013, Leadership Tennessee has welcomed “proven leaders and change agents from every region of the state to bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to an in-depth exploration of the complex issues facing Tennessee with a focus on how leaders can collaborate to effectively address them.”

The ten-month program aims to boost “statewide networking, collaborative conversation, and concrete plans to continue that dialogue and actions beyond the yearlong commitment.”

To view a complete list of the Leadership Tennessee — Class IX cohort, visit: https://www.leadershiptennessee.org/

For additional Cempa Community Care information, please visit: www.cempa.org

For any media-related questions or needs, contact:david@heedpr.com

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Robert Morris

Robert Morris serves as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Cempa Community Care, where he drives organizational alignment, strategic execution, and a mission-driven culture. Since joining Cempa as a Senior Strategic Advisor in June 2025, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future-ready structure, advancing leadership development, and guiding operational transformation. 

Robert brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, aerospace and defense, utilities, and nonprofit sectors. His career includes senior roles at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he served as Senior Strategic Advisor, Director of Communications Operations, and Senior Manager of Nuclear Materials, as well as Vice President of Program Management & Supply Chain at AAR Corporation. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for translating strategy into execution, leading large-scale transformations, and fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures. 

Deeply committed to service, Robert has dedicated his leadership beyond the workplace. He served as Chair of Cempa’s Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025, and has held leadership positions with the American Red Cross, Thrive Alabama, and the City of Huntsville’s Human Relations Commission. He is also a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and currently serves as President-Elect of the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association. 

Morris earned an Executive Bachelor of Business degree from Faulkner University and has completed executive leadership programs with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. 

Guided by his personal whyto approach each day with empathy, curiosity, and purpose, cultivating a culture where genuine belonging fuels excellence and empowers everyone to thrive—Robert lives out the Cempa values as a compass for every decision, action, and interaction. Compassion means meeting people with empathy, seeing them fully as they are. Empowerment provides patients and staff with the tools to thrive and grow. Excellence pushes the organization to raise the bar every day. Integrity calls leaders to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. Unity reminds everyone that Cempa is strongest when it stands together. These values are not slogans—they are lived commitments to the community and to every person Robert encounters.