Founder / Chief Executive Officer

Tatum Hauck Allsep

Tatum Hauck Allsep is the Founder/CEO of Music Health Alliance, a non-profit organization that removes barriers and finds healthcare solutions to Heal The Music. To date MHA has served over 24,000 music industry professionals in their most vulnerable time of need saving $130 million in healthcare costs in only 10.5 years. Tatum is a native of South Mississippi, an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University and a twenty-four year veteran of the Nashville music business. Her career includes 6 years with MCA Records, several years as an artist manager, and the launch of the first-ever Vanderbilt University Medical Center/ Children’s Hospital Music Industry Relations Department where she pioneered a number of impactful programs that are still going strong. In 2012, Tatum left the for-profit world to build Music Health Alliance. Through MHA, Tatum initiated a new model of healthcare support whose outcomes have garnered national accolades and recognition, however, the greatest achievement for Tatum will always be found in the clients whose lives have been positively impacted by the work of Music Health Alliance. In 2020 Tatum has received the following: Nashville Post’s Top 10 Non-Profit Leaders(2nd year), NBJs Healthcare Leaders Award (5th year), NBJ’s Women of Music City (3rd year) and the WSM National Volunteer Award. Additional awards include Billboard’s Top 100 Power Players, Billboard’s “Forward Facing Careers”, National Org. of Workforce Diversity’s Healthcare Innovation Award, Williamson Source’s Community Hero & MusicRow’s Rising Women On The Row. Tatum has served on a number of Boards including Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College Alumni Board. She’s served on the Advisory Boards of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids & Musicians on Call among others. Tatum is a graduate of Leadership Music and a member of the NARAS, CMA, ACM, SOURCE, GMA, AMA and the National Association of Healthcare Advocates. Tatum is married to the love of her life and has three wild children.

Chief Financial Officer/Certified Senior Advisor

Shelia Shipley Biddy

Responsible for the financial oversight of Music Health Alliance and human resource leader for its staff, she serves as an industry advocate guiding clients with their healthcare needs including individual health insurance, Medicare enrollment, and medical advocacy.  In addition to utilizing her executive experience to supervise the operations of MHA, she is overseeing the MHA Senior Care programs for the industry. With her diverse music industry experience, Shelia is the perfect advocate for the music industry. Her career has included stints at the original Monument Records (home to Roy Orbison, Larry Gatlin and Kris Kristofferson). Over the next eight years, she worked her way up the ranks of RCA and then MCA Nashville becoming their SR VP of Promotion.  Ten years later, she was named SR VP & GM for Decca Records, and most notably, the first woman to sit at the helm of a major record label in Music City. During her tenure with MCA, the label was named Country Label of the Year seven times by Billboard Magazine, three times by R&R Magazine, and the promotion department garnered over 137 # 1 singles under her leadership. At Decca, she launched the careers of Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, Rhett Akins, Chris Knight, and others. In 1999, Shelia continued to leave a positive mark on music as an artist manager in her own company before joining Hallmark Direction Company to co-manager to Trent Willmon, Ray Scott, and The Parks. She was also President of two indie labels – John Michael Montgomery’s Stringtown Records and Flying Island Entertainment before joining Music Health Alliance in 2013. In 2012, she was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame, an organization she co-founded in 1991 to support female executives in the Nashville music industry. She is a 1992 Alumni and past President of Leadership Music. She has served on the Boards of Country Radio Broadcasters, Leadership Music, Academy of Country Music, NARAS, SOURCE, Nashville Film Commission, and the Music Industry Retirement Center. Shelia has been married to music publisher, Ken Biddy, for over 30 years and together they share a blended family of five children and six grandchildren. She is a member of Brentwood Baptist Church.

Honors & Awards:

1988, 1992, 1994 – Gavin Promotion VP of The Year, 1992 Leadership Music Alum and 1998-99 LM Board President, 1995 Nashville Life’s Magazine Top 25 Most Influential Women, 2009 CRB President’s Award, 2012 SOURCE Hall of Fame Induction, 2019 Billboard’s Country Power Players, 2020 Billboard’s Top Female Music Executives, 2021 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award, 2022 Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence – Mentor & Inspiration Category

Fractional Chief Financial Officer

Matt Deeb

Vice President of Programs & Policy

Nikki Black

Nikki Black grew up outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and after receiving her Masters of Social Work in her beloved home state, moved to Nashville in 2010.

In Nashville, Nikki has worked directly with and advocated for individuals and families trying to access coverage and care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), TennCare, and CoverKids. In her role as a federally-certified Navigator under the ACA, Nikki also developed curriculum, trained, and provided support to staff at community health centers, as well as other ACA enrollment assisters across the state, and provided education to the public about their options for accessing coverage and care under the ACA. Nikki also worked for several years in health policy where she drew from her experience in working directly with individuals and families and applied that to her research and writing on Medicaid, health reform, and insurance coverage.

Nikki is delighted to again be in a role where she can work directly with individuals in a way that educates and empowers them. Because of her desire to work with a team committed to advocating for those in need, and her understanding of the unique obstacles musicians and other self-employed individuals may face when accessing coverage and care, Nikki is delighted and proud to be part of the Music Health Alliance team.

Director of Advocacy & Insurance

Suzanne Berg

As an advocate at Nashville’s Music Health Alliance, Suzanne Berg puts a wide skillset to work for a community she loves. Her multi-textured career straddles radio, label promotion and events management, and now extends to a service organization that allows her to draw on a broad base of knowledge while assisting an industry that has brought so much meaning to her life, and to others. The Michigan-bred executive has lived and worked successfully in each of America’s three largest music centers – New York, Nashville and Los Angeles – while quietly setting precedents and collecting trophies for her efforts. The first female to serve as Vice President of Promotion at Elektra Records, Berg also held a Senior Vice President post at the Verve Music Group. In those positions, she played a key role in hit records and/or Grammy victories for Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, The Beach Boys and Tracy Chapman. Berg won Radio & Records’ Senior Executive Promoter of the Year award five times and had a leadership role in seven Label of the Year awards. She won additional awards or nominations from The Gavin Report and Billboard. Along the way, Berg had a hand in the careers of pop successes Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Natalie Merchant and Huey Lewis; R&B singers Anita Baker and Ledisi; country acts Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith; blues musician Taj Mahal; jazz stalwarts George Benson, Al Jarreau and David Sanborn; and classical ensemble the Kronos Quartet, just to scratch the surface. Berg has additionally worked at two major radio firms, iHeartMedia and United Stations Radio Network, and ran her own branding/management company. Diversifying her experience, she’s co-produced a Luther Vandross concert tribute in New York, sold digital advertising, engineered national country radio shows and coordinated marketing campaigns for three Ken Burns series: Jazz, Baseball and The Civil War. Berg devotes her spare time to multiple causes beyond her own career. She serves as a mentor for Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music and co-chairs the Music City Tennis Invitational benefit for the T.J. Martell Foundation. She is also a member of SOURCE Nashville and the Association of Independent Music Publishers. Away from work, Berg is devoted to Tennessee Titans football games, Big 10 sports and her Yorkie, Ryman, named after Nashville’s historic auditorium. Through her position as an MHA advocate, Berg brings to together a diverse range of experience in a meaningful way. She is able to harness the talents and knowledge she’s built in a wide swath of the music business to connect professionals from every sector of the industry with appropriate health assistance at the moment they need it most.

Director of Administration & Finance

Suzanne Spooner-Faulk

A native of Quincy, Florida, Suzanne moved to Nashville a year after graduating from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.

Eager to work in the music industry, she got her start by working at The Bluebird Café. Suzanne worked in several capacities for the Bluebird, both in the club itself and in the office. While there, she gained invaluable knowledge about songwriters and the world of music publishing.

Suzanne went onto work with Tom-Leis music publishing as the office manager and songplugger. While there, she worked with songwriters Sarah Buxton, Brandon Kinney & Troy Johnson. During her time there, the company enjoyed success with numerous cuts including the Lonestar hit “You’re Like Coming Home” and Keith Urban’s recording of “Stupid Boy.”

After her time in publishing, Suzanne turned to working in artist management with rpm management. She served in numerous capacities at rpm, including as the VIP coordinator for Tim McGraw’s 2008 “Live Your Voice” tour. In this role, she worked with many corporate sponsors including Frito-Lay and Coty & Kingsford Charcoal.

Suzanne also spent time working with CDX as the production manager where she assembled & helped to distribute a compilation disc with singles from both independent & major label artists every two weeks. While at CDX, Suzanne began spending her evenings working in theatre as a stage manager and props master, thus reigniting her love of theatre.

After 16 years in the music business, Suzanne went to work for the state of Tennessee as the Assistant to the Director at the Tennessee Arts Commission. The Arts Commission offers funding opportunities to encourage participation in arts activities in communities across the entire state. In her role, Suzanne not only worked as an assistant to the executive director, but she was also a liaison to the arts commissioners, a 15-member board appointed by the governor.

After leaving the Arts Commission, Suzanne focused all her time on theatre and working directly in the arts. This included working locally with the Larry Keeton Theatre, Circle Players, KB Productions & Chaffin’s Barn. Suzanne also worked with Cirque Dreams as props master during their two-season residency at the Grand Ole Opry House with their Cirque Dreams Holidaze production. Most recently, she worked with their touring company for the 2019 Jungle Fantasy & Holidaze tours.

Suzanne is excited to bring her skills & experiences from working in the music business and arts community to Music Health Alliance. Her work has always combined creativity with organization and reliability, and she has always found ways to use her skills to help people. Suzanne is thrilled to be a part of the team and looks forward to giving back to the music community.

Manager of Advocacy & Insurance

Steven Crowder

Steven Crowder was born in South Hill, Va. He moved to Nashville after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Music Recording Technology from Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina.

His professional career began on Music Row as an Assistant Recording Engineer at one of Nashville’s biggest rooms, Javelina Studios (Big Pig), housed in the former RCA Studio A. Steven soon found himself surrounded by legends. It was common to see Randy Travis, Brenda Lee, Neil Diamond, Lean Womack, George Jones, Alan Jackson, Mark Chesnutt, and many more walk through the door.

In 2001 he began working as Chief Engineer at Cartee Day Entertainment. He was engineering some of music’s all-time greats. Steven has worked with Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.J Thomas, Keith Urban, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Blake Shelton, Black Label Society, Toby Keith, The Judds, Rascal Flatts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others.

In 2005 Steven’s engineering work halted due to a major motorcycle accident, placing him in a position many in the music industry face, out of work with bills piling up. After three surgeries, a year of physical therapy, and an outpouring of love from the music community, it was time to return to work.

Once Steven recovered, he joined Belmont University’s Ocean Way Nashville in 2006. He spent sixteen years managing and developing a diverse team of students and engineers. Ocean Way has given Steven the unique opportunity to help student and beginning recording engineers find their place in the music industry. In addition, he has enjoyed watching previous students return as engineers and producers on large-scale projects.

Working twenty-five years in music, Steven has grown very familiar with the music industry. As an advocate at Nashville’s Music Health Alliance, the relationships Steven has built over the years will prove to be a valuable asset. He understands what it is like to work in an industry that often does not have the umbrella of benefits that a big corporation would. His passion for development and commitment has led him to pursue a vocation that allows him to embody the values he represents.

Manager of Advocacy & Insurance

Dr. Zacquia McKinley

With over ten years of experience in the healthcare field, Dr. Zacquia McKinley comes to MHA, having just finished her Doctorate of Healthcare Administration from Walden University. Originally from Memphis, TN, Dr. McKinley’s past experiences working in the home health field inspired her passion for advocacy and service. Prior to her work at Walden, Dr. McKinley completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Tennessee State University and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University.  A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, Dr. McKinley has worked extensively on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act issues. She is very excited to join the team at MHA and help bring positive change in clients’ lives. In her spare time, Dr. McKinley enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Manager of Advocacy & Group Insurance

Erin Lancaster

Erin Lancaster joined MHA in 2019 as Manager of Office and Client Services. She was born and raised in Southern California, moving to Nashville in 2014. She comes to MHA with over 12 years of experience working at the Sony Pictures Entertainment Child Development Center in both a teaching and administrative role. During her time at the Child Development Center, Erin developed and implemented curriculum that encouraged children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. After moving to Nashville, she worked in customer service satisfying the needs of customers while coordinating elements needed for the marketing, graphics, and accounting team at ORCA Coolers. She also runs an e-commerce vintage clothing, furniture, and home décor business called Rose & Grey. Erin’s attention to detail and follow-thru makes her the perfect addition to the MHA team as she serves to coordinate the needs of our clients while keeping the office organized and running on schedule.

Manager of Advocacy & Insurance

Sophie Badgett

Sophie brings a unique blend of passion and expertise to her role as an advocate. With deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee, and a rich family history in the music business, she is dedicated to ensuring that the health and well-being of those behind the music are prioritized.

Having spent significant time in both Nashville and Arizona, Sophie has developed a diverse perspective and a comprehensive approach to advocacy. Her journey began with a profound personal commitment as the primary advocate for her daughter, who has chronic medical needs. This experience has deeply informed her professional approach, underscoring the importance of personalized, empathetic care.

Professionally, Sophie has a robust background as a client advocate in behavioral health, specializing in substance use disorders. This experience has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of the complex challenges faced by individuals in high-pressure environments like the music industry. Now back in Music City, Sophie is excited to leverage her extensive experience and personal insights to support Music Health Alliance’s mission to Heal the Music. Her goal is to enhance access to quality healthcare and provide compassionate, informed advocacy that addresses the unique needs of this vibrant community.

Outside of her professional role, Sophie enjoys exploring Nashville’s rich cultural scene, spending time with her family, and continuing her advocacy work on behalf of those she cares deeply about.

Manager of Advocacy & Insurance

Faith Fiegel

Faith is a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music and uses her passion for music, business, and serving others within her position as manager of advocacy and insurance for Music Health Alliance.

Born and raised in Bethlehem PA, Faith is the youngest in her loving and musical family. Her parents performed with the Osmond family and pursued careers as successful entrepreneurial entertainers. She was bit by the performing bug at a young age, and while she remains deeply fulfilled by entertaining folks, she caught on early that artists needed to know their rights and resources to navigate this highly intense entertainment industry, also known as show business.

Throughout her high school and college years Faith worked her way through multiple industries to afford her education including hospitality, childcare, and more recently as a receptionist for Center for Integrated Behavior Health, Sunday school superintendent and children’s choir director for Central Moravian Church, and as a licensing representative for Broadcast Music Inc. The latter role is what brought her to Nashville in 2023.

Her understanding of navigating medical and financial hardships is deep and extensive. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2017, suffered an injury that temporarily put her in a wheelchair in 2021, and became her father’s advocate for his medical journey and ultimately his hospice care in early 2024. These experiences have shaped her perspective and passion to help others in any way she can to navigate these types of waters.

Outside of her role at MHA, Faith enjoys being musical/entertaining others, exploring Nashville, exercising, songwriting, traveling, reading, adventuring with family and friends, and from time to time she enjoys a gluten-free Oreo dessert.

Advocate Coordinator

Britton Barnette

Britton Barnette serves as the Advocate Coordinator at Music Health Alliance, where he works to support and uplift the community he grew up in. A native of Franklin, Britton’s deep-rooted connection to the area drives his dedication to making a positive impact through the organization.
Britton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Before joining the non-profit sector, he built a career as a sports reporter, covering events for various newspapers across Middle and East Tennessee. His background in journalism has honed his skills in communication and advocacy, which he now applies to his role.
Outside of work, Britton is an avid supporter of MTSU football, proudly holding season tickets, and enjoys attending concerts. His love for music and sports reflects his commitment to community and personal interests that keep him engaged and energized.

Coordinator of Client Services & Program Support

Leah May

Leah comes to MHA from Buffalo, NY where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Daemen College in 2020 and a master’s degree in psychology from Medaille University in 2023. Through her schooling, she has clinical experience in mental healthcare and has seen how health insurance affects the well-being of clients and can impact their direct care.

Leah worked with musicians for 5 years at a music studio offering private music lessons. Through working with musicians, she learned about the ins and outs of the music industry and the financial uncertainty and instability that comes from being a full-time musician.

She is excited to combine the skills she has from her past to become an enthusiastic and empathetic voice to the MHA team.

Leah has a passion for singing, psychology, and her cat Gizmo. She enjoys rainy days watching sitcoms with her fiancé and looks forward to their upcoming nuptials.

Manager of Special Projects

Colleen Hoagland

Colleen serves as Manager of Projects and Auction Administrator.  Joining MHA in 2015, she oversees our live and online auctions and assists with fundraiser event planning and other MHA projects.  Her work here ties the threads of her passion of recovery and work experience together to serve the music industry.  A graduate of Trevecca University, Colleen is a 20-year veteran of the Nashville music industry. Her career began as a Publishing Executive Assistant for RCA/BMG before moving into artist management and then publicity with Forefront Records.  From here, she moved to the international marketing division of EMI Christian Music where she was instrumental in developing their first international publicity program. Colleen also co-owns CKP Lighting Inc. with her husband Keith. CKP Lighting provides lighting design/direction services for concerts events with clients Jason Aldean, Rob Thomas, Amy Grant, Usher, Jonas Brothers, and the CMT Music Awards Show.  Colleen has a passion for women’s recovery which inspired her to co-found a support group for women in crisis called Women of Restoration. Before joining MHA, she began work in the non-profit world when joining Divine Art Café and serving on their Board of Directors. She helps promote support for trauma therapy and PTSD recovery through MHA for music professionals and their families who work in concert touring.  Colleen enjoys volunteering with Al-Anon, Journey Biker Church, and her children’s schools. She lives with her husband and two children south of Nashville where she enjoys motorcycle rides and teatime with dear friends.