Events

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Oct 31 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Nov 7 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Dr. Michael P. Shannon became President of the University of North Georgia on July 1, 2023.
A native of New Jersey, Shannon is a first-generation college graduate and was commissioned through Army ROTC. He holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and a master's in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also holds a master's in health physics and a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering from Georgia Tech.

Dr. Shannon served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, retiring in 2015 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After operational Army service as an Infantry and Signal Corps officer with assignments in the 82d Airborne Division, the 35th Signal Brigade (18th Airborne Corps) and the 2nd Infantry Division, he was selected to serve as a U.S. Army Nuclear and Counterproliferation officer.

For more than 10 years, he provided leadership and technical and operational expertise to the U.S. Department of Defense as an expert in nuclear technology issues and later held leadership assignments with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Shannon also served at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during two different leadership assignments. At West Point, he was actively engaged in teaching and research along with several activities in support of cadet and Army officer development.

Prior to joining the University of North Georgia, President Shannon served as a member of Georgia Tech's executive leadership team. In addition, he served in numerous faculty, leadership and advisory roles, including as a research faculty member and principal investigator in the Advanced Concepts Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Dr. Shannon still holds an adjunct faculty appointment in Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering and still actively conducts research with his colleagues including a recent publication in the international journal, Viruses.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Nov. 14 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Sarah Kirsch manages the affordable housing investment portfolios for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, both social impact and philanthropic funds, as a key pillar for advancing equitable growth in our region. In support of strong and prosperous neighborhoods, the funds are designed to provide gap funding and support deeper and longer-term affordability for rental and ownership homes. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sarah spent ten years with the Urban Land Institute and served as Executive Director of the Atlanta District Council. Her work at ULI focused on advancing inclusive walkable urban places with a specific focus on housing affordability and the connections between transportation and land use. Prior to ULI, she spent 12 years with Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO), the nation’s leading independent real estate advisory firm.

Sarah’s civic leadership is deeply rooted in housing affordability and community development, serving as vice-chair of the Board of Commissioners for Atlanta Housing, Atlanta Urban Development Corporation board, HouseATL board, and Neighborhood Empowerment subcommittee chair for Mayor Dickens’ transition team. Kirsch is a native of Atlanta and continues to live in the city where she and her husband are raising their three sons. Most weekends you will find her at track meets and cross-country events supporting her boys. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Duke University’s Terry Sanford School of Public Policy.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Nov 21 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

David Simmons serves as Governor of the Georgia District of Kiwanis.  His Kiwanis journey began when he joined the Cordele Kiwanis Club on April 5, 1990. He has served on the club's Board of Directors, President and as club secretary since 2011. He served the Georgia District as Lt. Governor and has been a district trainer since 2001. He also served as the following District Committee chair: Club Administration, International Convention, and Training Chair. He served on the Georgia District Foundation, serving as the President, and currently serves on the District Finance Committee. He served as the Vice-Governor in 2022-23 and Governor-Elect in 2023-24.  David also is a Charter Member of the Kiwanis Club of Warner Robins, serving as President, and was instrumental in building the Kiwanis Club of Dooly County, which was chartered on February 1, 2024.

David was awarded the Governor’s Leadership Medallion in 1999. He is the recipient of the George F. Hixson Fellowship, the Henry C. Heinz Award, the Kiwanis International Centennial Award and the Walter Zeller Fellowship.

Professionally, David retired at the end of 2021 as a U.S. Probation Officer with the Federal Court system in the Middle District of Georgia for over 20 years. Prior to that he was employed with the Georgia Department of Corrections, working as a probation officer, fugitive investigator, and an instructor at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Besides full-time employment, he has also worked as a contract employee covering high school football games for a television station, WSST in Cordele, Georgia. David has commentated on close to 300 high school football games in South Georgia. David also works with a radio station, WKTF, in Cordele covering local high school sporting events as well as hosting a weekly radio show.

David has been very active with the youth in Crisp County. He coached baseball with both the Little League and Recreation Department and was a soccer coach. He served on the Cordele Little League’s Board of Directors for nine years and was League President. Besides coaching, David has also previously helped as a baseball umpire, football referee, and he served on the Recreation Board of Directors for a two-year period. He is a member of Cordele First United Methodist Church, having served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Administrative Board, and presently sings in the Chancel Choir. He is a Master Mason with Cordelia Masonic Lodge #296 and has served in various officer positions within the Lodge and is presently the Lodge’s Secretary. David is a 32 degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason and a York Rite Mason. David is a member of the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce and is a shareholder for the Green Bay Packers with the National Football League.

Born in Biloxi, David’s father served in the U.S. Air Force and the family traveled often before moving to Warner Robins, Georgia.  He graduated with a BS in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern, and a Master’s in Education from Georgia Southwestern State.  He and his wife Monica have two sons; T.J. and Rob, and five fur babies. Monica is the Executive Director of the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Nov. 28 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Marian Pittman is one of the broadcast media industry’s most innovative and successful leaders. As the President of Cox Media Group (CMG) Content and WSB-TV, she spearheads the ongoing evolution of the company’s multi-platform and award-winning content. Marian’s mission is to inspire and elevate the journalistic field, making a lasting difference in local and national media landscapes.

With the viewer at the center of everything, Marian is intent on driving audience and revenue growth – for both clients and CMG. To bring this to life, she focuses on Broadcast, Streaming, Websites, Mobile Apps, while also leading the strategic direction of distribution, optimization, and audience engagement. That includes CMG’s OTT platform, which streams national, local, and original content 24/7. Leveraging deep consumer preference research, Marian and her team have launched thirty-two streams with a variety of content.

Throughout her remarkable career, Marian has garnered numerous prestigious accolades, a testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to journalistic integrity. In 2010, under her leadership, WSB-TV’s newsroom was awarded both the Alfred I. DuPont Award for journalistic excellence and the Edward R. Murrow Award for overall excellence, honoring her dedication to setting and maintaining the highest standards in news.

Her leadership has also brought CMG national recognition with two National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Service to America Awards: one for the impactful “Real Estate Racket” investigative series, which uncovered unethical business practices and led to legal actions and policy changes across multiple states, and another for the “Gets Real” campaign, a nationally recognized initiative fostering critical community conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Marian serves on several prestigious boards, including the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF), Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB), and the International Women’s Forum (IWF). She is an active leader within CMG’s Women in Leadership Employee Resource Group (ERG) and co-leads the Content Creators committee for the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). A proud graduate of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2010, Marian has also served on the NBC Television Affiliates Board of Directors, the FOX Board of Governors, the Interactive Advertising Board (IAB), the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Emory University’s Journalism Program Advisory Board. Certified in Digital Media Sales, a globally recognized credential, Marian has extended her commitment to journalism education as executive sponsor of the Georgia News Lab, an award-winning program through Georgia State University that offers diverse college students hands-on experience in investigative journalism alongside Atlanta’s top reporters. Her wide-reaching leadership and dedication to empowering future media leaders continue to shape the industry.

Balancing her professional achievements with personal pursuits, Marian finds inspiration in both her family and her enduring commitment to fostering innovation, journalistic integrity, and inclusivity in the media industry.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Dec 5  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Ambassador (ret.) Charles Shapiro is a senior advisor at The Pendleton Group and co-founder of Art of Diplomacy Travel.

At the U.S. Department of State, Shapiro held a number of senior positions including Ambassador to Venezuela, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, and Director of Cuban Affairs.  In 2011, he became president of the Institute of the Americas at the University of California San Diego and in 2014 moved to the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. While at the World Affairs Council, he taught international business at the Robinson College of Business at GSU.

Shapiro’s op-eds have been published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Miami Herald, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Dec 12 at Noon.

The 2024 Holiday Luncheon will take place at Maggiano's Little Italy in Buckhead!

Featuring music from the Salvation Army Brass Band!

Distribution of 2024-25 Grants: Chair John O'Kane, Kiwanis Foundation of Atlanta and KCA President-Elect Russ Wagner, Chair , KCA Grants Committee

Invocation: Dick Stephens

No Kiwanis Club of Atlanta Meeting today.  Happy Holidays!

No KCA Luncheon Meeting today - Happy New Year!

The Loudermilk Center will be closed the week of January 6, 2025 for kitchen renovations.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Jan 9 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

As president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lauren Koontz leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that all people ­­— especially children — experience an equal opportunity to fully reach their potential. With a career spent in educational and health nonprofit development, she’s committed to the purpose of making the Y a thought-leader and best-in-class provider of education, wellness and youth development programs designed to strengthen Atlanta communities. She is the first woman president and CEO in the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 165+ year history.

Functionally, she is responsible for the overall success of the Atlanta Association’s 20+ membership and program branches, 13 early learning centers, 60+ afterschool sites, five outdoor and summer resident camps, the YMCA Leadership & Learning Center, and the teams of employees and volunteers who bring these places and programs to life.

Lauren joined the YMCA of Metro Atlanta in 2012 as its Chief Development Officer and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016. Previously, Lauren served in leadership roles at Coxe Curry & Associates, Emory University School of Medicine, Mount Vernon School, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

As a volunteer and board member, Lauren specializes in leadership, strategic planning, board training and advancement. Lauren serves on the Board of Directors of The Fox Theatre, the Board of Advisors for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the Board of Trustees of the YMCA Retirement Fund, the Truist Community Advisory Board, the Board of Advisors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Youth Advisory Council for the Atlanta Police Foundation, and the Advisory Board of PAACT, Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive. Lauren is also a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.

In 2024, Lauren was selected and completed Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program. Also in 2024, Lauren was inducted into the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Academy of Women Achievers. In 2022, Lauren was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs. In 2020, Lauren was named one of Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making a Mark. Lauren is a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2018 and is an active Leadership Atlanta alum and volunteer. In 2016, she received the YMCA’s highest honor ­­— the “Sully” Award, named for Thomas Sullivan, YMCA’s founder in the U.S. ­­— for exemplifying the mission and values of the YMCA. In 2013, Lauren was named among the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40.” Lauren speaks frequently on panels and podcasts on nonprofit management and leadership.

A Georgia native, Lauren grew up on St. Simons Island. She received a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State University. Lauren is married to Brad Koontz, a technology executive, with whom she has two children, Kate, 20, and Sam, 17.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Jan 23  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Emily Acker, CEO of Hillside, leads one of Atlanta's most respected mental health treatment centers for children and adolescents. With over three decades of experience, Emily has committed her life to helping young people in crisis understand their worth, find their strengths, and live healthier lives. Her career began in a counseling role for troubled teen boys, where she discovered her calling to support at-risk youth. Now, as a mother and grandmother, her mission has evolved to include empowering entire families
navigating the challenges of serious mental illness.

Under Emily's leadership, Hillside has gained national recognition as the first residential facility in the U.S. to receive program certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) from the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, a specialized approach that equips children with emotional regulation and coping strategies. Emily's dedication to this approach reflects her deep understanding of child neurodevelopment, helping kids build resilience during their formative years. Hillside's treatment options are comprehensive, spanning both inpatient and outpatient services, including virtual programs, to support families at various stages of need.

Beyond treatment, Emily is a tireless advocate for reducing the stigma surrounding youth mental health, encouraging parents to seek intervention early and educating communities that mental health issues are not matters of discipline but medical concerns. Her message to families is rooted in hope: with the right care and environment, children can thrive. Emily’s personal philosophy, “Every child matters,” shapes every aspect of Hillside’s work, reminding families and communities alike that each child has the potential for a bright and fulfilling future. Her vision, expertise, and compassion have positioned her and her team as a trusted authorities in children’s mental health.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!  The location for this meeting is CHANGED.  It is now at The Dogwood at west side Paper, 950 West Marietta St. NW, Suite B140, Atlanta, 30318.

DO NOT GO TO THE LOUDERMILK CENTER.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Jan 30  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Robby Gulri is a cybersecurity and cloud professional, currently serving as Field CTO at RapidScale and a board member for Atlanta Technical College. With over 30 years of experience, he has launched multiple SaaS products generating $250M+ in annual revenue. Gulri runs the nonprofit SevaSecurity to combat digital inequality, raising $11M in grants and providing $1M in pro-bono services annually. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business, is fluent in four languages, and frequently speaks on technology’s role in business and social impact.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Feb 6  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Douglas Ellis, Jr. is the retired CEO of Southern Mills, Inc. And he is a commercial pilot for Angel Flight Soars.  His military service includes a couple of years in the U. S. Navy on a Pacific Fleet Destroyer. He is active in the community serving a the Chairman of Trustees and Elder for First Presbyterian Church, as well as a director for Angel Flight.  He previously served in leadership roles with the Metro Atlanta United Way, Atlanta Rotary Club and the American Textile Manufacturers Association.  He received his AB Degree in Economics from Princeton,  BS from Georgia Tech and his MBA from Harvard.  He and his wife, Florida, have three daughters and eight grandchildren.                            

While working on her BA in Finance from the University of West Georgia, Jeanine Chambers became involved with Angel Flight Soars (AFS), a non-profit organization that coordinates free air transportation to treatments for individuals with medical needs and financial constraints. She began as an Earth Angel volunteer, then served as a member of the 1997-1998 Board of Directors, and received the Outstanding Community Service Award 1998. She went on to earn an MBA with a CIS concentration from Georgia State University in 1999, then taking the helm as the Executive Director of Angel Flight Soars, overseeing the expansion of mission flights serving those in need from 272 in the year 2000 to 4,058 in 2024.

Jeanine has led the charitable organization through an overall restructuring and built public awareness to unprecedented levels, racking up 10 industry and government awards recognizing the organization’s contributions to community service and disaster relief. Most recently, under her direction, AFS coordinated 804 flights for COVID-19 test specimen delivery to testing facilities, And in 2024, after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, AFS coordinated the delivery of nearly 10,000 pounds of donated supplies via truck and air to the region. Building Angel Flight Soars’ mission and her personal and community involvement fulfills her lifelong dream of helping others. Jeanine is an Atlanta native living in North Atlanta where she spends most of her free time with her adopted daughter and new grandson.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Feb 13 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Feb 20 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Bill Crane is nearing 30 years as a senior communications strategist. He began his career in broadcasting, later serving in senior communications staff positions under Georgia’s Gold Dome as well as on Capitol Hill, working for two U.S. Senators and one Governor, in both major political parties.

Crane also has significant economic development experience, serving as Vice-President of Marketing and Communications for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce during Atlanta’s Olympic years.

During the 2000 decade, Crane was a Senior Vice President with the GCI Group, a global public relations firm, where he helmed client engagements for AFLAC, Cousins Properties, Deloitte Consulting, InterContinental Hotels Group and Johnson & Johnson to name a few.

Since the 2000 Presidential Election, Crane has become one of the southeast’s most visible political analysts and commentators, first with 11Alive News, Atlanta’s NBC affiliate, and since 2011 with Channel 2’s WSB-TV Action News.  Crane added radio in 2006, since providing commentary for WSB-95.5FM and 750AM.  In 2009, Crane began a weekly political column, carried initially by The Champion, DeKalb County’s legal organ, and now by almost 50 other media outlets across Georgia.  Crane’s poltical analysis can also be seen on Georgia Public Television, “The Lawmakers,” as well as CNN International, China Global Television Network (CGTN) and AlJazeera English.

During 2009, Crane opened his own firm, CSI Crane, LLC providing a full-range of marketing, public affairs and communications services to individuals and corporations, specializing in crisis management, corporate reputation and executive visibility as well as the communications and governmental challenges of highly regulated industries.

Crane is a graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia.  He remains an avid Bulldog fan, as well as the proud father of two daughters, and grandfather of twin boys.  He lives in Scottdale, Georgia. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Feb 27 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

A native of Decatur, Georgia, Rodney D. Bullard is the CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation dedicated to furthering economic mobility by bridging social division. The Same House is a community-driven  movement that through  programs like -- the Beloved Benefit, Youth Lead Georgia, and Tables Across America -­ is addressing the social and economic challenges facing our world today. Rodney previously served as an Officer at Chick-fil-A starting and leading Chick-fil-A's Global Corporate Social Responsibility, which included oversight of Community Affairs, Community Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, and the Chick-fil-A Foundation.

A frequent speaker, he previously served as a JAG Officer in the U.S. Air Force, at the Pentagon as a Legislative Counsel, and as an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice . Rodney was also selected as a White House Fellow working directly for the NASA Administrator.

Rodney serves on the boards of the Ameris Bank, the Westside Future Fund, the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, the White House Fellows Alumni Association, and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

He is an alumnus of the United States Air Force Academy, Duke Law School, the University of Georgia's Terry School of Business, and the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He is the author of a best-selling book, Heroes Wanted; Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart Out.

INTRODUCTION: Mary Pat Crouch

INVOCATION: Susan Adams

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, 3/6  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Dietmar Exler became Chief Operating Officer for AMBSE in July 2019. In this role he is primarily responsible for operating the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Being a huge sports fan, he enjoys this assignment tremendously.

Exler’s career spans more than two decades with international business experience in various leadership roles. He began his career at McKinsey & Co. in 1997 as part of the financial interest group in their German office and later moved to their Midwest office, based in Detroit, Michigan.

After five years at McKinsey Exler joined Daimler Chrysler Financial Services 2002 as Senior Manager of Program Development and was promoted to Vice President of Marketing later the same year. In 2004, Exler became Vice President of Customer Services for Daimler Chrysler Financial Services, and then transferred to Germany in 2005 where he serves as Chief Operating Officer for Daimler Financial Services Europe and Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Bank in Stuttgart.

Exler returned to the US in 2010 being appointed Vice President Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. In 2014 he took over the position of Vice-President of Sales for Mercedes-Benz USA, with overall responsibility for the company’s sales, volume planning and distribution operations in the United States. In 2016 Exler became Head of Region NAFTA Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, as well as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA in. In this role, Exler had overall responsibility for sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Passengers Cars and the smart brand in the United States, Canada and Mexico leading overall more than 3000 employees and 400 dealers in these three markets.

Originally from Austria, Exler studied at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, where he received his Doctorate in Law. He also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Chicago and has been a member of the New York State Bar association since 1997.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, 3/13  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Inspired by a vibrant, culturally rich upbringing in New Orleans, LA, Gene Kansas has established himself as a visionary champion of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, community building, and storytelling through the built environment. Each Gene Kansas project masterfully blends an appreciation of culture and history with creative, responsible, and vital refashioning, bringing new relevance to space and how it is used and enjoyed.

An award-winning historic preservationist and real estate developer, Gene leads with passion and purpose, combining bold, forward-thinking vision with a mindset of giving back. At Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate, a firm dedicated to culturally connecting people and place, Gene and team focus on building up history, not over it. Gene is also Founder of Constellations, "where stars come together to shine," a thoughtful and supportive, culturally based workspace in Atlanta's historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood focused on civic and social difference-making.

A distinguished writer, Gene is the author of "Civil Sights" (University of Georgia Press, February 2025), and has been published in the AJC, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and numerous other prestigious publications. As creator and host of award-winning Sidewalk Radio, Gene spent five compelling seasons exploring life in the modern city through the lens of history and the context of community on Atlanta's AM 1690 "Voice of the Arts." A passionate educator and speaker, Gene has guest lectured at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, University of Arizona, SCAD, The New School and other institutions, while regularly speaking for public and private organizations. Sharing knowledge and experience while learning with and from others remains central to his mission and approach.

Among his numerous accolades, Gene received the 2016 Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Award from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as the 2016 Alonzo F. Herndon Business Award from the South-View Historic Preservation Foundation, and multiple development of excellence awards from local, state, and national preservation and real estate organizations alike.

Gene holds a BS in Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in Digital Media from Georgia Tech, where he now serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Ivan Allen College. Married to DeAnna Kansas, the couple have a son, Levi, who adores the Atlanta Botanical Garden where Gene serves on the Board of Trustees.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, 3/20 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Jon Willis is a vice president and senior economist in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is a member of the leadership team of the Research Department and serves as a monetary policy adviser.

Willis' research focuses on labor market dynamics over the business cycle and the relationship between the price-setting behavior of firms and inflation dynamics. His work has been published in journals such as the American Economic Review, the Journal of Monetary Economics, and the International Economic Review.

Before he joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 2020, Willis served as vice president and senior research and policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He joined the Kansas City Fed in 2000. He also served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 and 2005.

Willis has a bachelor's degree in economics from Grinnell College and a doctoral degree in economics from Boston University.

INTRODUCTION: Thornton Kennedy

INVOCATION: Hank Fellows

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, 3/27  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

As Executive Director, Michael is responsible for AVLF’s day-to-day operations, managing its relationships in the community, fundraising, and overseeing all of the Foundation’s provision of legal and social services. Michael previously served as the Deputy Director and, prior to that, the Director of Housing and Consumer Programs at AVLF, managing a variety of programs that provide legal representation to low-income individuals and litigating in the areas of landlord-tenant law, unpaid wages, debt-defense and debt collection. Michael, who holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley, spent his final year of law school studying at Harvard Law School and clerked for the Honorable Catherine C. Blake of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore before beginning his legal career. In addition to his work at AVLF, Michael sits on the Board of Directors of HouseATL and the Steering Committee of the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (archi).

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, April 3 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here

Trevor Williams is Managing Editor of Global Atlanta and Publisher of Grounded Global Media.

Trevor has spent more than 15 years reporting on Atlanta’s ties with the world, undertaking journalism trips to more than 30 countries to uncover stories on the perils and promise of global engagement. A sought-after moderator for events focused on international business and policy, Trevor spearheaded the Consular Conversations series to drive dialogue with Atlanta's diplomatic corps through journalistic inquiry. His animating goal is to tell stories that foster cross-cultural understanding and make a complex world a little less confusing. His freelance work has appeared in AramcoWorld, Khabar, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, China Business Review, Nuernberger Zeitung and many other publications. 

A lifelong Bulldog, Trevor earned degrees from the University of Georgia in Magazine Journalism and Religion, with a minor in Chinese Language and Literature. He is the proud father of three sons and editor of the books Making Men: Five Steps to Growing Up and the recently released Civil Sights: Sweet Auburn -- A Historic Journey Through Atlanta's National Treasure by Gene Kansas. 

INTRODUCTION: Jennifer Richardson

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, April 10 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Bill Bolling: Bill Bolling is co-founder, board chair and senior advisor of Atlanta nonprofit Food Well Alliance, a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build community gardens and urban farms across metro Atlanta. Prior to co-founding Food Well Alliance in 2015, Bill founded the Atlanta Community Food Bank in 1979 and served as its executive director for 36 years. Under his leadership, the Food Bank distributed more than half a billion pounds of food to feed the hungry. As a charter member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, Bill played a key role in launching food banks across the country and was instrumental in starting the Georgia Food Bank Association. Bill serves on the boards of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Inspire Brands Foundation, and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. He has facilitated the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum since founding it in 1984. Most recently, he co-founded and serves as board chair of the Atlanta Civic Circle, a new organization addressing civic journalism.

Plemon T. El-Amin, Imam Emeritus of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam: In addition to leading one of the most progressive Mosques in the United States,  Imam El-Amin is the former director of Atlanta's Clara Mohammed Elementary School and W. Deen Mohammed High School. Imam El-Amin has traveled the nation and the world representing the concerns and interests of Muslim Americans,and is the co-founder and director of World Pilgrims, an interfaith organization that engages people of various faith identities with one another through international travel, dialogue, and interaction. He has served on various religious and civic councils, and presently serves on the boards of the Atlanta Masjid Majlis, the Elijah Interfaith Institute in Jerusalem, the ISB (Islamic Speakers Bureau), the National Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, and Interfaith Community Initiatives.

Beth Schafer, Buntzl Cantorial Chair of Temple Sinai:  Beth Schafer is the Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair of Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs. This is her 10^th year serving on Temple Sinai’s clergy team. The areas in which she does the most work when not designing and leading worship are, grief support, mental health initiatives, LGBTQ advocacy, women’s rights and refugee support. She serves on the advisory board of SOJOURN, Atlanta’s Jewish LGBTQ advocacy organization as well as the board for the National Council for Jewish Women. Beth has been a composer of contemporary Jewish music for over 30 years, shaping the sound of Reform Jewish music in America. Her compositions are used widely in worship and gatherings around the country and have appeared in numerous publications.

The Rev. Winnie Varghese Rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: A national leader in the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Winnie Varghese is known for her inspired writing, teaching, and preaching. Winnie has been a leading voice on issues including mass incarceration; systemic racism; gender, sexuality, and LGBTQ issues; and immigration, among others. She is the 23rd rector of St. Luke's, Atlanta. Prior to St. Luke’s, Winnie served at Trinity Church Wall Street, St. Mark’s in the Bowery in New York City, and St. Alban’s, Los Angeles. Winnie has also served as the Episcopal Chaplain at both Columbia University and the University of California Los Angeles.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, April 17 at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Whitefoord Chief Executive Officer Craig Tindall started his tenure with Whitefoord in October 2020 and is a seasoned non-profit and healthcare leader with over thirty-five years of leadership experience, including more than thirty-one years directing the operations of multiple hospital programs within Grady Health System, metropolitan Atlanta’s safety net hospital, premier Level 1 Trauma Center, and teaching hospital for Emory and Morehouse Schools of Medicine. He held many leadership positions during his Grady tenure from 1988-2019, starting as the Director of Facilities Planning and advancing to Vice President of General and Ancillary Services, interim Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President of Operations and Facilities, and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations leading the major clinical service lines of Neurosciences, Cardiovascular, Oncology, Behavioral Health, Pharmacy, and Ambulatory Care/Community Medicine. He has dual master’s degrees with a Master of Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University (GSU) and was awarded the 2019 Max Holland Distinguished Alumni Award by the GSU Institute of Health Administration. Additionally, Craig has a Bachelor degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also a graduate of Leadership Atlanta (2010) and Leadership Georgia Hospital Association (2006).

On the personal side, Craig grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and attended Baylor School before his undergrad time at UNC.  He has lived in Atlanta since 1985, a resident of Inman Park since 2004 and enjoys everything UNC Tarheels and Atlanta United soccer. 

INTRODUCTION: Dick Stephens

INVOCATION: Scott Sikes

IN PERSON REGISTRATION (ONLY) HERE: Apr 29 - 5th Tuesday Social - Free Bikes 4 Kidz | Kiwanis Club of Atlanta

Join us at KCA grant recipient Free Bikes 4 Kidz for a social hour featuring Rodney Scott BBQ and libations, followed by information about the organization and a service activity - cleaning donated bikes! Note that this event is hosted at FB4K's warehouse space in South Atlanta, so dress comfortably for the space.

Please use the downloadable map on the event registration page (link above) to locate the warehouse space (be sure to enter the complex from Murphy Street), and park in any available slots around the area. 

Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all his ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. Donated bikes are cleaned and repaired, then distributed to underserved kids in time for the holidays via community partner organizations. For more information, visit fb4katl.org.