We’re a small, passionate team with big ideas.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A woman with long dark hair smiling, sitting on a bench outdoors is board member Cyndi Benavides.

Cyndi Benavides

Founder & President

Cyndi Benavides has been interested in the preservation of historic cemeteries since she discovered the Mallory Cemetery in poor condition in 2020. Originally from south Texas, Cyndi has been a Middle Tennessee resident since 1991. She is a licensed real estate broker and owner of Purpose Real Estate Co. Previously, Cyndi served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army where she gained an exemplary work ethic that follows her career today.

Education:

B.S. in Integrated Studies (Business and Administration) and minor in Mass Communication / Middle Tennessee State University in progress

A.A. in University Parallel / Columbia State Community College

Close-up of a smiling woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright outdoor background is board member Anna van Rennes.

Anna van Rennes

Treasurer

Born and raised in this community, Anna van Rennes is honored to serve as Treasurer for the Cemetery Board. She has always loved local history and believes protecting historic landmarks is vital for future generations. Anna hopes that fostering appreciation for the stories rooted here will inspire a ripple effect of care and stewardship for years to come.

A young woman with glasses and blonde hair smiling while sitting by a window in a casual blue top with a necklace is board member Paige Hurley.

Paige Hurley

Secretary

Paige Hurley serves as secretary at Preserve Mallory Cemetery, maintaining records for the nonprofit. She is a M.A. Candidate in public history at Middle Tennessee State University, and she takes pride in providing historic research and putting preservation theory into practice. When not serving on our board, she works for the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation and the Williamson County Public Library in the Special Collections Department. She enjoys travel, reading, and giving local history and ghost tours in her free time which translates into an inquisitive, research-driven perspective and a passion for public-facing work.

Education:

M.A. in Public History / Middle Tennessee State University in progress

B.A. in History and Political Science / Eastern Mennonite University