Leadership DeKalb announces class of 2027

Leadership DeKalb’s class of 2027 was announced on Aug. 27, introducing professionals from across DeKalb County whom officials said are “committed to strengthening their organizations and communities through informed, collaborative leadership.” 

The class includes leaders from corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and small businesses throughout metro Atlanta. 

“Leadership DeKalb has a strong foundation, and strong foundations give organizations the ability to build boldly,” said Dorian DeBarr, president and CEO of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and outgoing chair of the Leadership DeKalb Board of Directors. “Congratulations to the Class of 2027! I anxiously await how you will build on that foundation to help shape DeKalb’s future.”  

Since 1986, Leadership DeKalb has graduated more than 1,700 alumni who serve throughout the region as elected officials, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community advocates. Through immersive experiences, meaningful dialogue, and direct engagement with local leaders, participants gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing DeKalb County while building professional relationships, according to a news release. 

Throughout the next year, participants will explore the many facets of DeKalb County, including its history, diversity, government, justice, arts and culture, education, healthcare, economic development, and quality of life. 

“As we begin a new year for Leadership DeKalb, I am encouraged by the talent and drive of this year’s class,” said Adria Welcher, incoming chair of the Leadership DeKalb Board of Directors. “For 40 years, Leadership DeKalb has brought together people who love this county and believe in its future. I am honored to carry that legacy forward. I look forward to strengthening the connections among our leaders and fostering the kind of collaboration that leaves DeKalb County even better than we found it.” 

Leadership DeKalb Class of 2027: 

 

• Christopher S. Alvarado, major, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office 

• Sandra Arismendi, associate principal, Wendel 

• Dr. Cj Avory, director, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency 

• Jasmine Barber, staff attorney, State Court of DeKalb County 

• Caressa Bell, founder/CEO, Salt & Light Strategy Group 

• Meagan Berardi, executive director, Decatur Education Foundation 

• Dexter Q. Bond, Jr., chief operating officer, Office of the Fulton County District Attorney 

• Briana Brown, M.Ed., director of finance, strategy, and operations, Fair and Just Prosecution 

• Christopher Bruce, deputy executive director, American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia 

• Dr. Jennifer Burton, assistant superintendent, City Schools of Decatur 

• Dr. Malissa A. Bush, deputy director, Office of Management & Budget, DeKalb County Government 

• Stephanie Coreas, executive director, Los Vecinos de Buford Highway 

• Chris Cornell, founder/CEO, E Period LLC 

• Danny Cortese, director, Engineering Services, Georgia Transmission Corporation 

• Shatrina Cosby, vice president, account management and development, Purchasing Power 

• Dr. Tina Dasgupta, physician executive, Kaiser Permanente/The Southeast Permanente Medical Group 

• Michael de la Guardia, senior policy director, The Health Initiative 

• Yolanda Dixon, educator, Dixon Consulting Firm LLC 

• Evan Dunn, counsel, Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield LLC 

• Kaleigh Emerson, social worker 

• Prinsess Futrell, executive director, Oakhurst Center for Community 

• Beth Ganga, policy and planning director, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners 

• Barbara Gibson, chief program officer, Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence 

• Theodore “Tad” R. Golden IV, assistant chief, DeKalb County Police Department 

• Lorne C. Green, director of Workforce Development, WorkSource DeKalb, DeKalb County Government 

• Amy A. Hall, program manager, Georgia Power Foundation 

• Roger F. Harris, Ph.D., founder/president, Scholars Village Inc. 

• Mario Hearnes, major, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office 

• Melika Heinrich, regional manager, Community Engagement, Emory Healthcare 

• Mussettee H. Hill, special projects coordinator, DeKalb County Human Services Department 

• Kavien Hillmon, senior vice president, commercial banking team lead, SouthState Bank 

• Paul Hollier, health scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

• Annie Jordan, executive director, DeKalb Pro Bono 

• Kurt Kastorf, partner, appellate practice chair, Bloom Parham LLP 

• Ekaette Kern, founder/CEO, BrandSavor 

• Tad Landau, deputy chief, DeKalb County Fire Rescue 

• Brian M. Lawrence, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, Morehouse College 

• Susie Leggett, northeast outreach director, Office of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock 

• Jennifer Lester, CEO, The Purpose Project, Inc. 

• Ryan Lewis, senior safety manager, Amazon 

• Cody Long, associate attorney, Connell Cummings, LLC 

• Michael McCoy, deputy city manager, City of Stonecrest 

• Jon McKenley, senior manager, datacenter affairs, Microsoft 

• Penny Moceri, director of engagement, Office of Government and Community Affairs, Emory University 

• Norledia Moody, associate vice president of community, RedefinED Atlanta 

• Phillip Nembheard, captain, Decatur Police Department 

• Juliana A. Njoku, director of planning & sustainability, DeKalb County Government 

• Tabitha Pazmino, deputy chief assistant district attorney, Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney 

• Deirdre P. Pierce, school board member, DeKalb County Board of Education 

• Taylor Ray, city councilman, city of Doraville 

• Greg Reihing, security planner & procurement, city of Decatur 

• Sabrina Rivers, Family Law Information Center director, DeKalb County Superior Court 

• Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, assistant city manager, city of Brookhaven 

• Jamie C. Schickler, managing attorney, behavioral health division, Law Office of the Public Defender DeKalb County 

• Kristen Settlemire Fuller, senior assistant attorney general, chief, education and government services section, Georgia Office of the Attorney General 

• Nzinga “Zing” Shaw, CEO & executive consultant, Attack the Glass, LLC 

• Patrick Smith, regional community relations manager, UPS 

• Laurel Spainhour, deputy chief assistant solicitor-general, DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office 

• Tammy Stanton, director of social services, New Life Community Alliance 

• Keri Stevens, planning administrator, Atlanta Regional Commission 

• Paola Torselli, owner/attorney, Torselli Law Firm, LLC 

• Ninetta Adorn Violante, assistant fire chief and fire marshal, city of Decatur 

• Aisha Williams, deputy director, ARCHI: Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement 

• Tiffany Wills, chief real estate investments officer, Decide DeKalb Development Authority 

• Sczeny Wright, chief project manager, DeKalb County Government CEO’s Office 

• Brandi Wyche, general manager, Delta Air Lines 

• Anqi Zou, senior vice president, head of fair lending oversight & analytics, Truist 

 To learn more about Leadership DeKalb and its programs, visit www.leadershipdekalb.org or email info@leadershipdekalb.org.