NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Built by Commodores to support current and future Commodores, Anchor Impact today announced that Vanderbilt alumni Oren Burks, Michelle Kennedy, Jim Littlejohn, Jordan Matthews, Will Perdue and Brandt Snedeker have joined the NIL collective’s expanded governing board.
The six distinguished alumni have excelled in a variety of professional fields while demonstrating a commitment to uplifting Vanderbilt student-athletes.
“I’m honored to welcome six such accomplished individuals to the Anchor Impact Governing Board,” said Paul Grindstaff, Anchor Impact executive director. “Together, they are proof that being a Commodore opens doors and changes lives. Their experiences on and off the field of play will help us deliver on Anchor Impact’s commitment to lead the way in the NIL space by energizing Vanderbilt’s tradition of athletic and personal development for a new era.”
- Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks recently began his seventh NFL season. His honors included the Butkus Award Watch List. Burke’s abundant community service efforts include helping the unhoused, promoting entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities and supporting youth athletes.
- Nashville Predators President and Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kennedy is an acclaimed sports executive and Double ‘Dore. She also previously served Vanderbilt student-athletes as an associate director of athletics.
- A 1976 civil and environmental engineering graduate, Jim Littlejohn founded and served as president of the president of the Nashville-based eponymous engineering firm Littlejohn (now part of S&ME). He was inducted into Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2015.
- Now a member of the Carolina Panthers, Jordan Matthews was one of the SEC’s most prolific wide receivers. Matthews was a two-time All-American and two-time All-SEC First Team honoree. He and his wife, former Vanderbilt soccer student-athlete Cheyna Williams, founded the Matthews Mission charitable organization.
- The 1988 SEC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and SEC Athlete of the Year, Will Perdue led Vanderbilt its first Sweet 16 that season. He won four titles in 13 NBA seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. He remains a national voice of college basketball as a color analyst for Westwood One.
- Nashville native Brandt Snedeker was Vanderbilt first men’s golf All-American and also garnered SEC Player of the Year honors. The 2007 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and 2012 FedEx Cup winner has represented the U.S. in the Ryder and Presidents Cups. He and his wife, Mandy, also founded the Brandt and Mandy Snedeker Foundation in 2012 to benefit children in Middle Tennessee.
The six new members of the Anchor Impact Governing Board join original members Bob Calton, Bill Hawkins and Chris Whitson.
Anchor Impact is the official collective supporting Vanderbilt student-athletes and provides student-athletes resources and opportunities to benefit from their name, image and likeness. Anchor Impact is a third-party organization and operates independently of Vanderbilt University.
To learn more about Anchor Impact’s efforts and to get involved, please visit anchorimpact.com or email Paul Grindstaff at paul@vandyNIL.com.
