Atlanta — Aug 12, 2024
The Atlanta Regional Commission has announced the names of 57 leaders from metro Atlanta’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors who will comprise the 2024 class of its Regional Leadership Institute (RLI).
The cross-section of leaders from the 11-county Atlanta region will explore key regional policy issues during the program, which runs from August 21 to November 14 and includes a retreat at Lake Lanier Islands in October. The participants represent diverse work sectors, experience, background, geography, and expertise.
RLI is an immersive experience with hands-on opportunities to connect active learning to real-world planning and policy throughout the region. This year’s class will delve into topics including housing affordability, transit and transportation planning, public health, natural resources, and investments in the region’s future.
RLI does not provide “answers” to regional challenges but creates space for regional leaders to learn, discuss and network. RLI fosters relationships that contribute to a future that is inclusive and equitable for all its residents. Through their multiple lenses, participants weave a thread of intersectionality and equity-centered approaches to building community.
“When new RLI classes begin the program, they come with ideas, insights and energy – everything needed to make an impact in metro Atlanta,” said Sam Shenbaga, Community Development Director. “The results of their experience often yield lasting, transformative impact on the organizations, companies and jurisdictions from which they bring their expertise and experience.”
This year’s program will be facilitated and led by Atlanta-based leadership development firm, Blaze.
2024 RLI Participants
- Michelle Arrington – Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Verizon
- Shantay Bolton – Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Business Officer, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Duke Bradley, III – Superintendent, Newton County Schools
- Sheronica Burgess – CEO, The Barcliff Group, Inc.
- Beverly Burks – Regional Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations, National Church Residences and Mayor, City of Clarkston
- Cailin Copan-Kelly – Development Director, Foundation Relations, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Upenda Dubose – Vice President Strategic Partnerships, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
- Kiondre Dunnam – Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Brookman Group
- Joy Dyess – SVP, Special Projects Manager, BankSouth Mortgage
- Will Feeney – Planning Administrator, Atlanta Regional Commission
- Jennifer Fennell – District Manager, Jackson EMC
- Shannon Georgecink – Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Atlanta Technical College and Executive Director, Atlanta Technical College Foundation
- Randy G. Gibbs – Planning Project Manager, Sizemore Group
- Kate Henry – Vice President and Managing Member, Aulick Engineering
- Dylan Horne – Project Manager, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber
- Samantha Hudson – Council Member, City of Fairburn and CEO, Vision Center of Hope, Inc.
- Shannon James – President and CEO, Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance
- Vaughn Jamison – Deputy Director of Water Resources Customer Care & Business Affairs and Interim Deputy Director of RDOT, Rockdale County Government
- Jim Jaquish – Local Government Liaison, Atlanta Regional Commission
- Victoria Jones – Council Member, City of Lawrenceville
- Candice Jordan – Chief Development Officer, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
- Renee Saunders Knight – Mayor Pro Tem, City of Morrow
- Tom Lambert – Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem, City of Dunwoody
- Haley Landis – Director of Integrated Health, Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services
- Matthew Lee – Executive Director, Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District
- Anne Lerner – Public Affairs Director, Georgia Transmission Corporation
- Jamal Lewis – Economic Opportunity Manager, Partnership for Inclusive Innovation
- Whitney McGinniss – Board Member, Dekalb County School District
- Jamelle McKenzie – Council Member, City of College Park
- Andre Medina – Program Manager, Customer Experience Design, Delta Air Lines
- Megan Middleton – Director, Government Affairs, Atlanta Community Food Bank
- Tomeca Mosley – Manager, Public Relations and Public Affairs, Cox Enterprises
- Juliana Njoku – Director of Planning and Development, Rockdale County Government
- Michael Owens – Mayor, City of Mableton
- Rebecca Parshall, Ph.D. – Director of Strategy and Development, Learn4Life, Metro Atlanta’s Educational Partnership
- Brooke Perez – Regional Economic Development Manager, Georgia Power Company
- Fabricio Ponce – Managing Director, Atlanta, VHB
- Suleman Rana – Managing Director, Douglas County Government
- LaWanna Ross – Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Douglas County Chamber
- Stan Savage – Senior Director of Parking and Traffic Operations, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena
- Aarti Sharma – Vice President of Policy and Strategy, redefinED atlanta
- Regina Shih, Ph.D. – Professor, Emory Rollins School of Public Health
- Kay Sibetta – Associate State Director, Community Outreach, AARP GA
- Darrin Lamont Sims Jr. – Director of Truth and Transformation Initiative, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Alisha Smith – Director of Projects and Planning, Town Center Community Improvement District
- Amber Stewart, SHRM-SCP – Chief Culture and Strategy Officer, Wellspring Living
- Kiran Takhar-Fenyoe – Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Wellstar Health System
- William Tanks – City Manager, City of Mableton
- Julie Teer – Senior Vice President, Wellstar Health System and President, Wellstar Foundation
- Julius Thomas – Client Relationship Manager, Rockefeller Capital Management
- Tameka Thomas – Chief Operating Officer, Veritas School of Social Sciences
- Teresa Thomas-Smith – Mayor, City of Palmetto
- Lisa Tolliver – External Affairs Area Manager, Georgia Power Company
- Terra Washington – Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Decide Dekalb Development Authority
- Travis Williams – Director, Regional Operations, Atlanta Gas and Light
- Christen Wright – Vice President of Product Management, Reseda Group
- Matthew Yarbrough – Chief Political Strategist, Gate City Public Affairs, LLC
For more information about RLI, visit www.atlantaregional.org/RLI.
###
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 74 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s mission is to foster thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.
Contact Name: Sheryl Merritt
Contact Phone: 470-757-3799
Contact Email: smerritt@atlantaregional.org
