Leadership Atlanta

It was great to see so many of our alumni at the first Takeover Tuesday social event of 2025! We had over 150 alumni "take over" The Office Bar at Google. A special thank you to?Chris Ahrenkiel '17 and Selig Enterprises, Inc.?for hosting us for food, fun and fellowship!

“Making communities better is our biggest mission.”- Kim Greene ? Last week, the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025, along with several alumni, engaged in a powerful conversation with Kim Greene, Georgia Power Company Chairwoman, President and CEO, about managing competing interests and her hands-on approach to leadership (including personally going out to restore power outages with crews!) ? A heartfelt thank you to Georgia Power Company and Adjei, Latanza for hosting this insightful CEO Roundtable discussion and for their commitment to cultivating leadership that drives meaningful change. ?

“Strong cultures will power you through anything that comes your way.” ? A commitment to a healthy culture, courage and forward thinking were some of the themes CEO Carol Tomé shared with members of the Class of 2025 in her message at the annual UPS CEO Roundtable. Carol reflected on what it really means to “deliver what matters” and how she’s faced challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and labor negotiations during her five-year tenure at the helm. ? We’re fortunate to have a bold leader like Carol in Atlanta and grateful to UPS for hosting our group for such an important and timely conversation.?

This past Monday morning, members of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025 participated in an immersion experience at the Georgia State Capitol building. The class members had an intimate audience with legislative leaders and lobbyists, toured the building, and learned about the mechanics of legislation and advocacy. Thank you to State Senator Jason Esteves ’22, Representative Ruwa Romman, and Kenyatta Mitchell for speaking with our group! ? This experience would not have been possible without Leadership Atlanta alumni Jason Esteves ’22, Dave Williams ’22, Kevin Perry ’07, Brigitte Peck’19, and Faraz Iqbal, PMP ’20.

? “There’s a belief that character is built by going through a crisis. But I disagree. If you don’t have strong character to begin with, you’ll never make it through a crisis...” ? ...One of the countless insightful nuggets of wisdom shared by Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines this morning with the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025. Class members engaged in an open dialogue with Mr. Bastian about people- centric leadership, accessibility and culture building. Delta Air Lines celebrates 100 years of flying this month and class members were able to hear directly from Mr. Bastian about what continues to drive their longevity and high performance! ? We are grateful to Mr. Bastian, Delta Air Lines, Tad Hutcheson ’03 and Trebor Banstetter Bansetter ’23 for generously hosting this gathering and their longstanding commitment to Leadership Atlanta and our community.

It was standing room only this past Tuesday at our Leadership Atlanta alumni program, The DEI Reset: Lessons, Challenges, and the Road Ahead. A panel of experts discussed the evolution and current state of DEI efforts while highlighting companies and leaders who have taken unique approaches to DEI.?Speakers and alumni also explored the future of DEI and how to navigate today's ever-changing environment. A huge thank you to the Metro Atlanta Chamber for hosting this insightful and impactful discussion and to our dynamic planning committee Lars N. Minns '23, Sonjui Kumar '14, and Nzinga “Zing” Shaw '19 for their amazing efforts. Special thanks to our esteemed speakers: Al Vivian, CCDP, AP, President and CEO, Basic Diversity Anuradha Hebbar, President, SHRM, CEO Action for Inclusion and Diversity Natosha Reid Rice ’14, VP, Global Housing Opportunities and Mission Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International Erin M. Richeson, LEAD ’17, VP Inclusion and Diversity, Cox Enterprises Nzinga “Zing” Shaw Shaw ’19, President and CEO, Attack the Glass LLC

Last week, the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025's Program Day focused on Social and Economic Mobility in Atlanta. The program examined the current social and economic landscape of the city and the data and historical context that undergirds the persistence of inequities within our communities. ? We are deeply grateful to our generous host, Cox Enterprises, our alumni volunteers, and our esteemed lineup of speakers and subject matter experts who made the day possible. And an extra special thanks to our tremendous leadership team who designed this thoughtful, challenging, and meaningful program. ? ? Leadership Team Michael Alexander ’16, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission Courtney English ’24, LEAD ’11, Chief Policy Officer & Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Atlanta Carol Naughton ’16, Chief Executive Officer, Purpose Built Communities Amanda Rhein ’24, LEAD ’06, Executive Director, Atlanta Land Trust ? Speakers Solomon Caviness, MBA Caviness IV, Commissioner, City of Atlanta Department of Transportation Lisa Cupid JD/MPA, Cobb County Chairwoman Collie Greenwood, General Manager, Chief Executive Officer, MARTA Anna Roach ’24, Executive Director and CEO, Atlanta Regional Commission Nathaniel Smith ’09, LEAD ’05, Founder, Chief Equity Officer and CEO, Partnership for Southern Equity Jim Wehner ’22, President, Focused Community Strategies @Tom Weyandt ’83, Board Member, District 5, Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Janelle Williams, PhD Williams ’24, LEAD ’11, CEO and Co-Founder, Kindred Futures ? Special Guests Candious Barry, Barry Dupree, @Jeff Pendleton, Makeisha Robey, Raphael Holloway, MA, LPC Holloway ’20, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Center and Elizabeth Banks, MPH LEAD ’24, Chief Operating Officer, Hope Atlanta, representing HOPE Atlanta and Gateway Center. ?

Check out our website to congratulate the following active Leadership Atlanta Alumni on their most recent accomplishments! https://lnkd.in/eZcq5XJZ Are you not receiving our emails? Reach out to [email protected].

One week away, register today! We invite all active Leadership Atlanta alumni and their guest to attend our timely program designed to help leaders navigate the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Interesting in securing your spot? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about our host location and confirm your RSVP.

Congratulations to the following active Leadership Atlanta alumni who were featured on this year’s Titan 100 list! The Titan 100 is a national program that recognizes the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives in a region. Representing both the private and public sector, these Titans of Industry demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, passion, and influence in their field. Stephen Michael Brown, APR, Fellow PRSA '07, Cookerly PR Jay Cranman '18, Hands on Atlanta Heather Robertson Fortner '23, SignatureFD Kevin Gooch LEAD '13/LA '13, Holland & Knight LLP Nikki T. Harland '23, Paradies Lagardere Helene Lollis '08, Pathbuilders Santiago Marquez '13, Latin American Association Gerald McDowell '19, ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts Lars N. Minns '22, Mercedes-Benz USA Sara Ray '23, Douglas County Chamber DeRetta Cole Rhodes, PhD '24, Atlanta Braves Alan Stukalsky '16, Randstad Kyle Waide '15, Atlanta Community Food Bank David Ward '20, Tommy Nobis Center Janelle Williams, PhD LEAD '11/LA'24, Kindred Futures