Board of Directors
BIP Knoxville is a 501c3 Non-Profit committed to ending domestic violence in East Tennessee. Healing the Home, a BIP Knoxville program, works directly with families and family members struggling with abusive conduct.
Dr. Kelly Martin, PhD
Board Chair
Dr. Kelly Martin is an accomplished professional driven by a commitment to social progress and sustainable growth within diverse communities. Holding a PhD in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Martin brings extensive experience in leading and executing initiatives that showcase a distinctive blend of academic rigor and practical expertise.
Dr. Martin's knowledge equips her with versatile skills to tackle intricate social issues. Her research applies advanced methodologies to unravel transnational wealth disparities and their implications for progressive social welfare. This expertise plays a pivotal role in identifying
trends, shaping evidence-based strategies, and influencing policy to create equitable and inclusive communities. Her experience in mental health, family practice, and social work case management apply evidence-based interventions to support intrapersonal change within diverse and at-risk populations. These experiences sharpen her aptitude to connect with people, foster collaboration, and support efforts that enhance the lives of individuals and families at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
During her work in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Martin has crafted comprehensive capital campaigns that empower
communities, foster leadership, and cultivate collaboration to promote social and organizational growth. Acknowledged by the National Council of Social Work Education and the University of Tennessee's Division for Diversity and Engagement, her innovative initiatives underscore a steadfast commitment to social wealth, welfare, and wellbeing.
Dr. Martin remains a dedicated and dynamic professional with a proven history of driving impactful social development initiatives. Her capacity-building work spans multiple roles, each contributing to her expertise in steering transformative growth. Her academic accomplishments, complemented by practical experience and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and progress position her as an unwavering advocate for the promotion of holistic wellness and wellbeing within the Knoxville community.
Burak Er
Board Treasurer
Burak Er is a seasoned entrepreneur with two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and new business development. His endeavors began with pivotal roles at ADP and Danka Office Imaging where his proficiency in B2B sales and strategic account management came to the fore. With a keen eye for the “bigger picture” and a genuine passion for ensuring his clients’ success, Burak’s expertise extends beyond conventional business paradigms. Mr. Er was the linchpin behind Corporate Clothing, USA, amalgamating fashion with function, to uplift the brand’s identity. He is currently integrating his many years of logistics and shipping experience into his new venture as the Business Owner of Package Manager.
Beyond his impressive business acumen, Burak’s dedication to community service shines bright. As an overnight volunteer for the American Red Cross of East Tennessee, he has been a beacon of hope for families in distress. Having responded to over 50 calls as a member of the Disaster Action Team, and currently chairing events as a Board Member, Burak’s commitment to the Red Cross epitomizes his belief that “Wherever you are in the world, the Red Cross is there.”
Mr. Er’s academic credentials from the US International University, proficiency in Turkish, and a slew of other commendable volunteer roles, from being a Board Member at Healing the Home, to guest lecturer at the Knoxville Area Urban League, add further dimension to his profile. Mr. Er is valued as the Treasurer of Healing the Home.
Ben Bentley
As Executive Director and CEO of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Ben Bentley develops and implements strategic initiatives to improve affordable housing and foster development in the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Bentley’s background includes significant national experience with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He also has a track record of successfully managing operations of large public housing agencies in the Region.
Prior to his current role, Bentley served as Chief Operating Officer of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) in Nashville, with broad oversight of all Public Housing and Section 8 programs. During his time at MHDA, Bentley led efforts to convert and recapitalize the Agency’s Public Housing portfolio under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.
Bentley began his career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Nashville Field Office in 2010 as a Presidential Management Fellow and Portfolio Management Specialist.
In 2014, Bentley was promoted to Division Director of HUD’s Denver Regional Office of Public Housing with responsibility for financial and regulatory oversight of public housing agencies across a six-state region. Bentley also served as a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) subject matter expert for HUD.
In addition to his service on the Board of Directors at Healing the Home / BIP Knoxville, he serves on the Board of the Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA). Bentley holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver and is working toward a Master of Real Estate at Georgetown University. An Alabama native, he also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Birmingham-Southern College.
Jackie Kittrell, Esq.
Jacqueline O. Kittrell, Esq. is the Executive Director of Community Mediation Center in Knoxville, TN, having been hired in 2005.
Jackie graduated from University of Tennessee College of Law in 1988 and is a licensed Tennessee attorney. She is active in the Knoxville Bar Association where she is a member of the Family Law Section and Access to Justice Committee; and the Tennessee Bar Association, where she is a member of the Dispute Resolution Section, the Family Law Section, and the Collaborative Law Joint Subcommittee. She is active in the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission's efforts, serving on the Pro Bono, Forms, and Mediation Subcommittees. She is a member of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution and Family Sections, and is an ABA Fellow. She is a member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators, and has served as President. She was trained as a Collaborative Family attorney in 2007, is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners IACP), and a founding member the East Tennessee Collaborative Alliance (ETCA).
Jackie is a Rule 31 listed civil and family mediator and is listed as specially trained in domestic violence screening. She is on the University of Tennessee Advisory Board of the University of Tennessee Institute for Reflective Practice and has received training as a reflective practice facilitator.
In her private practice, she takes collaborative and limited scope family cases. Her experience as a legal advocate includes complex class litigation, medical malpractice, medical peer review and employment cases, civil rights litigation, representing children as a GAL in juvenile and divorce courts. She is originally from Smith County, Tennessee, and has lived in rural east Knox County for 34 years on a heritage farm. She is married to Cliff Honicker and they have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and a beautiful grand-daughter.
Dr. Rusty Winchester, PhD
Dr. Winchester holds a Ph.D. in Human Ecology (Child and Family Studies) and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology/Guidance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Davidson College. He has significant clinical experience in the field of sexual abuse/assault, having been a therapist at the Project Against Sexual Abuse of Appalachian Children (PASAAC) from 1988-1996, the Program Coordinator of that program for the last seven of those years, and a part-time private practice clinician for several years. During his tenure at PASAAC, he also served as a member of the Knox County Child Abuse Review Team, and was one of the trainers in the highly-regarded Knoxville Institute for Sexual Abuse Treatment Training (KISATT), with a particular emphasis on the treatment of sexual offenders.
Dr. Winchester has served as Executive Director in the nonprofit realm for the Florence Crittenton Agency and Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, worked as a middle school counselor in both Tennessee and North Carolina, was a full-time faculty member in Graduate Education/Counseling at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) from 2003-2009, and an Adjunct Instructor in LMU’s Graduate Counseling program from 2010-2018. Dr. Winchester had been a Clinical Therapist at the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee (SACET) since 2018, and has facilitated the Men’s Support Group at SACET since 2016. In conjunction with the aforementioned roles and positions, Dr. Winchester has provided training and education on a variety of topics over the years related to families, sexuality, counseling, sexual abuse, and mental health in school, agency, community, college, and graduate school settings.
“Healing the Home would like to thank all of our board directors, past and present; for their Support and commitment to our mission and vision.”
— Seema Singh, Executive Director