Congratulations to Debbi Powe

Our New Alumni Engagement & Communications Manager!

We are excited to announce that Debbi Powe has been promoted to Leadership DeKalb's new Alumni Engagement and Communications Manager. As part of our strategic plan, we heard from our alumni that they want more opportunities to connect across classes, participate in events and programs, volunteer, and stay involved - and we’re listening!

To help bring this vision to life, Debbi is taking on an expanded role focused on Alumni Engagement and Communications. Debbi will work with our board, alumni, and team to create meaningful opportunities to connect our growing alumni community.

If you would like to be more involved, email Debbi or click below to sign up for alumni volunteer opportunities.

If you haven’t joined us yet, now is a great time to sign up for your Leadership DeKalb alumni membership! We have several giving levels to choose from, including a monthly giving option to make it easy to fit membership into your budget.

Your support helps us continue providing meaningful programs and experiences for our alumni and invest in the future of Leadership DeKalb and the leaders in our community.



Every membership makes a difference, and we’d love to have you back as an active part of the Leadership DeKalb alumni community! Click the picture below, confirm your name, select your membership level, and update your information. Email us if you have any questions or need assistance!

Congratulations to Sherry Boston '12 on receiving the Emory Law Trailblazer Award.

Congratulations to Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson '06 as the new Secretary and Treasurer of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia, the first African American woman to hold the role.

Congratulations to Leadership DeKalb board member, Jennifer Sweeny Dunlop '19, on her new role at Cobb EMC as Director of Strategic Planning and Emerging Technologies.

Congratulations to Alvin Glymph '18 on his promotion to Associate Chief Community Impact Officer at the United Way of Greater Atlanta.

Congratulations to Amber Harris '25 on her 20th anniversary of working with Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.

Congratulations to Alia Johnson '20 on being named one of Engineering Georgia's 100 Most Influential Women.

Congratulations to Tommy Lester '15 on his appointment to the City of Tucker's Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors (pictured with City of Tucker Mayor Anne Lerner '14).

Congratulations to Cornell McBride '11 on his appointment as the new Chair of the Board of Directors at Decide DeKalb.

Congratulations to Terry

G. Phillips '03 on his appointment as DeKalb County Attorney.

Congratulations to Demetrius Pinkett '24 on the birth of his daughter, Dream L. Pinkett.

Congratulations to the Leadership DeKalb alumni who were recently appointed to advisory council positions with Decide DeKalb. Decide DeKalb’s Industry Advisory Councils bring together leaders from Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology, and Creative Industries to help advance the priorities of DeKalb County’s Strategic Economic Development Plan.

• Chris Anglin '14
• Victoria Anglin '25
• Dr. Derrick Gervin '25
• Teresa Hardy '18
• Karen Inniss '24
• Dr. Veneetia Johnson '25
• Bem Joiner '20
• Crystal Lockwood '20
• Taren Manning '26
• Trish Miller '24
• Terry Owens '26
• Kendra Price '18
• Shavone Smith '18
• Aundre Stanton '22
• Jabrille Williams '25

Leadership DeKalb alumni showed up to support We Love Buford Highway's annual Feast gala at Spring Hall. Pictured Munir Meghjani '19, Rebecca Parshall '26, Shara Sanders '17, and Paul Stovall '25.

Leadership DeKalb was excited to see our alumni at the groundbreaking of DeKalb County Fire Station No. 16 including CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson '20, Commissioners LaDena Bolton '24 and Nicole Massiah '20, Public Safety Director Darnell Fullum '15, Fire Chief Melvin Carter '24, and Deputy Fire Chief Ty Welch '26.

Leadership DeKalb’s Class of 2027 began their journey with a two‑day Opening Retreat at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort on September 17–18. The retreat opened with a welcome from Stone Mountain Memorial Association Board Member Christopher Sanders ’18, followed by greetings from Leadership DeKalb Executive Director Shara Sanders ’17, Board Chair Adria Welcher ’21, and Retreat Co‑Chairs Janice Robinson ’17 and Nedra White Shaw ’17.

The class then spent the morning with walk-out song introductions, as class members shared who they are and enthusiastically told us about themselves in 90 seconds! It was a fun and very energetic first glimpse of the personalities and perspectives that make up the Class of 2027.

After lunch, Charlie Bailey ’23, Leadership DeKalb Programs Chair, gave the class an overview of what to expect during the year ahead. The Class of 2027 next jumped into team-building activities with Shawn Clark of Atlanta Challenge, where the class put communication, collaboration, and literally broke through barriers to their goals.

The afternoon focused on cross-cultural leadership, with engaging sessions led by Al Vivian of Vivian Consulting Group. The conversations challenged class members to think about how culture, perspective, and experience influence the way we lead and work with others.

The evening ended with happy hour, dinner, and Class of 2027 BINGO where class members learned interesting facts about each other.

Friday began with remarks from Mayor Jelani Linder of Stone Mountain and a session on Class Community Norms facilitated by Dr. Danielle Stewart ’26. The class then continued their cross‑cultural leadership work before transitioning into DISC Profile facilitation with executive coach Jackie Neilson of Jackie Neilson Coaching, culminating in small‑group assignments that will support their learning throughout the year.

Opening Retreat was a wonderful way for the Class of 2027 to connect, learn, laugh, and start building the relationships that we hope will last a lifetime. It's going to be a great year!

A huge Thank You! to our Opening Retreat Committee:

• Janice Robinson '17 – Co-Chair
• Nedra White-Shaw '17 Co-Chair
• Kevin Harper ‘26
• Vickie Logan ‘26
• Brandon McMurray '24
• Micah Seibel '24

We couldn't have done it without you!

Volunteer Opportunity

Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will be hosting a series of Free Food Distributions from October through December. The first distribution will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Victory for the World Church, 2649 McAfee Road, Decatur, GA. They need your support. Click below to volunteer.

Thank you for being an important part of the Leadership DeKalb community! Together, we’re building connections, developing leaders, and shaping a stronger future for DeKalb County. Stay connected with Leadership DeKalb and our alumni community by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.