Meet the 2026 TNOTA Board Nominees
The TNOTA Board Ballot is now open. All members are encouraged to vote for the candidates of their choice (one in each category). These outstanding professionals are committed to TNOTA.
Meet these candidates before you place your vote. In order to access the ballot, you will need to be logged in as a member!
President Elect - Stedmon Hopkins
Biography:
Dr. Stedmon Hopkins serves as Program Director and Associate Professor for the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Tennessee Wesleyan University. He earned his Master of Occupational Therapy (2014) and post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (2021) degrees from Eastern Kentucky University. He has been actively involved with TNOTA since 2020 and has served on and currently chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. His professional interests include mental health, inclusive practices, and geriatric practice. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, reading comics, watching movies, and exercising.
Statement of why:
I would like to serve as TNOTA President-Elect because my involvement with the organization over the years has allowed me to meet so many wonderful practitioners across the state. I would love the opportunity to continue the work of past leaders in bringing our professional community together. Being part of the support and connections that TNOTA has fostered is something I have grown to value. I have seen how much people genuinely care about our profession, and these experiences have taught me a great deal along the way.
If elected, I would certainly like to encourage member involvement and strengthen connections among students, educators, practitioners, and partners. However, more importantly, I want to learn from our members about what they need and the challenges they are facing. My approach to leadership has always been to listen, learn, and adjust based on the needs and perspectives of others. I believe this is how meaningful decisions are made, and I would want to continue that mindset going forward. I also recognize that I do not, and never will, have all the answers. There will always be opportunities to learn from others and work together toward common goals.
My hope is to help TNOTA continue building on the work of those who have come before me while supporting our members and advocating for occupational therapy throughout Tennessee. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve.
President Elect - Kurt Hubbard
Biography:
Dr. Hubbard has held numerous leadership positions in occupational therapy across multiple settings. He has owned and directed multiple organizations dedicated to advancing occupational performance and improving client outcomes. His professional service includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association. His contributions to continuing education and professional development have been recognized through his appointment to the AOTA Roster of Fellows and induction into the prestigious OT Leaders and Legacies Society. Dr. Hubbard remains committed to advancing the profession through leadership, scholarship, innovation, research presentations, and peer-reviewed publications at local, national, and international levels.
Statement of Why:
I am honored to be considered for the position of TNOTA President. I believe TNOTA is uniquely positioned to elevate the occupational therapy profession throughout Tennessee by strengthening our collective voice, expanding professional opportunities, and fostering meaningful connections among practitioners, educators and students.
My vision is to advance TNOTA as a dynamic, influential, and member-driven organization that leads through advocacy, professional development, mentorship, scholarship, and collaboration. I am particularly committed to strengthening partnerships between academic programs and clinical practice, expanding student and OTA engagement, supporting practitioners across diverse practice settings, and cultivating the next generation of leaders.
Throughout my career in occupational therapy and higher education, I have held numerous professional leadership positions. My experience as a past President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association has provided valuable insight into the responsibilities and opportunities inherent in leading a state professional association. I understand the importance of strategic vision, organizational accountability, transparent communication, and engaging membership in advancing a shared mission.
As President, I would bring an established leadership perspective, a collaborative approach, and a commitment to building upon TNOTA’s existing strengths while pursuing new opportunities for growth, visibility, advocacy, and professional influence.
Ultimately, my goal is to help position TNOTA as more than a professional association—as a unified professional community that empowers its members, champions the value of occupational therapy, and shapes the future of our profession throughout Tennessee.
Vice President - Jennifer Bolay
Biography:
Dr. Jennifer Bolay joined East Tennessee State University in August 2025 and is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program. Her primary area of practice is pediatrics, specifically the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Bolay’s passion for OT and neonates extends beyond the U.S. into East Africa, where she has dedicated many years to building partnerships with community and government organizations to support education and advocacy for neonatal and pediatric care in rural Kenyan communities.
Statement of Why:
My involvement in state occupational therapy associations has included serving as a district chair, chair of the academia community of practice, annual conference committee co-chair, and conference committee member. I have also held board positions with state organizations and nonprofits. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, preparing me to contribute to the evolving responsibilities of the TNOTA vice president role.
My priorities are to support district chairs across the state, increase TNOTA membership, and strengthen engagement among Tennessee occupational therapy practitioners. I would work to help district chairs feel connected, supported, and equipped to engage practitioners in their communities. I would also seek opportunities to better understand members’ needs and encourage meaningful participation in TNOTA.
As an East Tennessee practitioner, I would bring our region’s perspectives to the board while serving the interests of the statewide membership. I believe a strong association depends on accessible leadership, open communication, and opportunities for members to contribute. I would be honored to bring my experience, commitment, and collaborative approach to this role.
Vice President - Taylor Kozell
Biography:
Taylor Kozell, OTD, OTR/L, CNS-AP, PAq, currently works as Assistant Professor of Practice in the OTD program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she also is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. She currently serves on the TNOTA Executive Board and has contributed through the Conference Planning Committee, Student Involvement Committee (Co-Chair), Communities of Practice, and Communications Committee. Her clinical passions include neurorehabilitation and aquatic therapy across the lifespan. She is passionate about occupational therapy education, professional advocacy, leadership development, and strengthening connections across the profession to advance the visibility and impact of occupational therapy throughout the state.
Statement of Why:
I would be extremely honored to serve as Vice President of TNOTA and continue contributing to an organization that plays such an important role in supporting and advancing occupational therapy practice across our state.
I believe in the power of connection and the importance of creating opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners to feel supported, engaged, and represented, regardless of where they practice or live in Tennessee. I hope to continue strengthening TNOTA’s intentional efforts in advocacy, professional development, and CommunOT by fostering meaningful connections across districts, practice settings, and areas of specialty.
I value communication, transparency, and collaboration and believe these should remain central to how our organization operates. My vision is for TNOTA to continue setting a standard for organizational support – not only for occupational therapy practitioners, but also for the communities and populations we serve and the profession as a whole.
Through my involvement on the Executive Board and various committees, I have gained an appreciation for the work that goes into building and sustaining a strong professional organization. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my perspective, energy, and commitment to this role while continuing to build an organization where every OT practitioner has a place, a voice, and a connection.
Treasurer - Christine Watt
Biography: