Speakers

Please join us as we celebrate another year of learning, connection, and service together! This festive program includes music from our own music committee as well as the Salvation Army Brass Band, and the presentation of grants awards to the 30 organizations our Foundation is supporting this year!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, Dec. 11  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, January 1  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

At this special program, Past President Phil Smith will moderate a timely discussion on the national debt, federal budget challenges, and the critical intersection of fiscal and monetary policy. Joining him are former US Congresswoman Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition and Concord Action, and Dennis Lockhart, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Together, they will explore how the nation’s long-term fiscal outlook affects inflation, interest rates, economic growth, and the choices facing policymakers in 2025 and beyond. This conversation brings together two leaders with deep experience in federal budgeting and central banking for a candid, nonpartisan look at the road ahead.

INTRODUCTION: Phil Smith

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, January 8  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

George Dusenbury serves as the Vice President Southern Region, and the Georgia, Florida, and Chesapeake State Director at Trust for Public Land. Dusenbury leads a team of professionals who are working to improve access to the Chattahoochee River, to increase the number of residents in the south who have a park within a 10-minute walk of home, and to develop coalitions and partnerships to dramatically change how communities interact with the outdoors. In 2022, Dusenbury was named one of the 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend. It’s a testament to his lifelong commitment to creating parks and green spaces in places where too few residents reap the benefits of green space.

From 2010 to 2014 Dusenbury served as commissioner of the Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department. During his tenure, he helped expand park acreage in the city while increasing the percentage of local residents living within a half-mile of a park. He also led an effort to reopen 16 closed recreation centers and transform them through high performing youth-development programs.

Prior to his appointment as commissioner, Dusenbury was executive cirector of Park Pride, a nonprofit dedicated to building civic and corporate support for Atlanta’s parks. During his six years at Park Pride, the organization significantly increased its capacity while launching a wide range of programs designed to increase community leadership, bring gardens to underserved neighborhoods, and help residents create and implement community master plans for parks. Also under his leadership, the organization expanded its geographic scope and played a pivotal role in engaging community groups and corporate partners to realize the vision of the Atlanta BeltLine, a transformative urban park and trail system.

Dusenbury first became active in Atlanta’s environmental community while serving as legislative director and district director for Congressman John Lewis. In these roles, he was responsible for the Congressman’s work on transportation, clean air, clean water and smart growth issues, including expanding tax incentives supporting alternative commute options like transit and biking. During these years, Dusenbury developed his understanding of the importance of parks and green spaces in the context of equity, economics and health.

Dusenbury earned a B.S. degree in English from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University where he served as the president of the Environmental Law Society. He has been a Certified Park and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Park Association, is a member of the Historic Oakland board of directors and is a graduate of regional leadership programs.

INTRODUCTION: Michael McPherson

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, January 15  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Tricia Pridemore was elected to the Georgia Public Service Commission in 2018. Pridemore serves on many boards in the energy industry, and works on constructive solutions to our nation’s electric transmission, pipeline safety and diversified energy generation including natural gas, nuclear, solar and American coal:

• President, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). 2024-2025
• Past Chair, Board of the Financial Research Institute (FRI) at the University of Missouri
• Member, National Petroleum Council
• Member, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Advisory Board
• Member, Gas Technology Institute (GTI) Public Interest Advisory Council
• Member, New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council
• Member, Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) Executive Committee

Pridemore is recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. She served on both the 2019 Transition Team of Gov. Brian Kemp and the 2011 Transition Team of Governor Nathan Deal. She co-chaired both of Governor Nathan Deal’s Inaugurals. Pridemore is a member of the Rotary Club. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University.

 

INTRODUCTION: Michael McPherson

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.  Registration closes THURSDAY, January 22  at Noon.

To View on Zoom:  Click Here.

Dr. Bryan Johnson, a former corporate executive and accomplished K-12 leader, serves as Superintendent for Atlanta Public Schools. He brings a unique blend of corporate and educational leadership to the role.

  

As Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, he led bold initiatives that have been recognized nationally like HCS EdConnect and Future Ready Institutes. In 2021 he was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year and was 1 of 4 finalists for National Superintendent of the Year. 

 

During his first year serving APS, Dr. Johnson supported the district achieving the highest graduation rate in its history at 90.5%. Additionally, APS improved its Georgia Milestones results in every grade 3-8 content band. He is currently spearheading a innovative facilities plan called APS Forward 2040 which aims to position the district to become more efficient with its resources and deepen academic programming like establishing the Atlanta Schools of the Arts at Carver and expanding workforce development opportunities for students.  

 

INTRODUCTION: Michael McPherson

 

James “Jay” M. Bailey serves as the President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), where he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses.

In just five years, under Jay's visionary leadership, RICE supports more than 600 entrepreneurs full time, sustaining 4,125 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $557 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.

Jay is an Atlanta native, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog. He has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta's "Most Admired CEOs" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine's "POWER 100" list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential” leaders in the State. His leadership and commitment to the community have been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. In 2012, he was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

Currently residing in East Atlanta, Jay shares his life's journey with his wife, Dateline NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their cherished daughters, Sage and Skylar.

INTRODUCTION: Kathy Colbenson