MEET MATTHEW

Matthew Simmons is a purpose-driven leader whose career and calling intersect at the crossroads of faith, service, and strategic leadership. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The ARK Mission, short for Acts of Random Kindness, Matthew’s mission is to spread the love of Christ through everyday acts of generosity, creative apparel, and partnerships that uplift local communities and Christian organizations from the Nashville region, where he is based, to nationwide.

Rooted in the belief that small acts of kindness can have eternal impact, Matthew established The ARK Mission to encourage others to live out the Gospel through action. His goal is simple yet profound: to make Christ known through compassion, connection, and community collaboration.

Professionally, Matthew brings more than 15 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Grace Aesthetics, where he oversees operations and financial strategy for a growing organization. Before that, he was Vice President of Development at Digital Ally Inc., where he led strategic partnerships with major brands including IndyCar, NASCAR, the PGA, and Tito’s Vodka, driving multimillion-dollar growth initiatives and new business ventures. Earlier in his career, Matthew served as Regional Vice President of Operations for Waffle House, Inc., managing multi-state operations, a $200 million budget, and more than 1,000 employees, earning recognition as one of the company’s top regional leaders and recruiters.

“At the core of The ARK Mission is the belief that one act of kindness, offered in Jesus’ name, can change the course of a person’s day, and maybe even their life.” -Matthew

Matthew’s foundation in servant leadership began in public service and the military. He proudly served as a Police Officer with the City of Murfreesboro and as a Sergeant in the Tennessee Army National Guard, where he earned the distinction of Soldier of the Year at multiple levels and an Army Achievement Medal for excellence and integrity.

Today, Matthew channels those experiences into his greatest mission yet, mobilizing a movement of believers who lead with love. Through The ARK Mission, he seeks to partner with churches, ministries, and faith-based nonprofits  organizations to clothe communities in Christ’s message and cultivate a culture of kindness that reflects God’s heart.