Forty-four individuals have been selected for the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2024 — the 38th class of the organization’s signature program for established community leaders. This group was selected through a competitive application process to represent the richness of the vibrant Gwinnett community. Since 1985, Leadership Gwinnett has ensured that Gwinnett’s most influential and esteemed leaders are knowledgeable about issues, well-networked, and passionate about the success of the county and the region.
These talented leaders will spend nine months immersed in an active learning experience, diving into our community’s history, assets, and challenges, emerging ready to create positive change alongside a network of influencers and decision-makers. Equipped with new knowledge, connections, and perspectives, Leadership Gwinnett graduates are prepared to take their places as effective civic leaders.
The Leadership Gwinnett program will begin in August 2023 and run through May 2024.
The Class of 2024:
Shaun Adams, Counsel, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP
Shameka Allen, Associate Director, Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett
Nelmaris Alvarez, Director of Development, Corporate Relations, Junior Achievement of Georgia
Andrea Barclay, Founder & CEO, Because One Matters
Christy Barnes, General Counsel, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Katha Blackwell, CEO, Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Clayton Cain, CEO/ Managing Partner, Cain Injury Law
Andre Castro, Director of Community Engagement, GNR Public Health
Arefeen Chowdhury, Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, ABM Industries
Dr. Christine Miller Divine, Vice President for Information Technology/Chief Information Officer, Georgia Gwinnett College
Chris Fehn, Principal Consultant, SEI-Atlanta LLC
Dr. Reuben Gresham, Cluster Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Kelsey Grodzicki, Partner, Winter Capriola Zenner, LLC
Melissa Hardegree, Chief Communications Officer, City of Lawrenceville
Lisa Robinson Hernandez, Attorney, The Fowler Firm
Adela Iturregui, Founder/Owner/Managing Attorney, ABC Estate and Legacy Planning
Liz Jackson, Director of Community Relations, Piedmont Eastside Medical Center
Sydney Johnson, Creative Director, Accent Creative Group
Michelle Kang, President/CEO, AAPI Outreach & Engagement, LLC
Yari Lawson, Founder/Partner, Lawson Law Firm, PC
Tray Leslie, Renewables and Resiliency Manager, Georgia Power
Tony Lockard, Director of Safety and Security/Chief of Police, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Dr. Andrea P. Mann, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Osteopathic Medicine Program, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia
Senator Nikki Merritt, District 9, Georgia State Senate
Bret Muetzelfeld, CEO/Broker, Peach State Realty
Imran Niazi, CEO/President, Blackwater Construction Group
Paul Oh, Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Chris Palmer, Client Service Leader, Jacobs
Tommy Pearce, Executive Director, Neighborhood Nexus
Wesley Person, Judge, Gwinnett County Recorder’s Court
Samuel Richmond, Founder and President, Nvestfit, LLC
Craig Roberts, District Director, Engineering & Operations, Jackson EMC
Sydney Sattler, Controller, TechCXO
Dr. Brett Savage, Principal, Brookwood High School, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Jammie Taire, Managing Attorney, SmithTaire Legal, LLC
Curt Thompson, Attorney/CEO, Thompson and Associates Law Firm, P.C.
Robert Thompson, Captain, Suwanee Police Department
M. Nikki Thornton, Senior Director, School Leadership, 3DE by Junior Achievement of Georgia
Patty Thumann, Managing Partner, PBJ Media Holdings
Michelle Vereen, Director, Department of Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Bianca (BB) Watkins, Agent/Owner, BB Watkins Agency- State Farm
Angie West, CFO, Richardson Housing Group
Nikeisha Whatley-Leon, System Director, Behavioral Health Services, Northside Hospital
Jen Young, Executive Director, Impact46, Inc.
If you know someone who would be a perfect fit for Leadership Gwinnett, nominate them or yourself for the class of 2025. Applications open in January 2024. Ready to get involved now? Register for our two-and-a-half-day program, Glance Gwinnett, offered October 25-27, 2023, and April 24-26, 2024.
About Leadership Gwinnett
Leadership Gwinnett’s vision is a thriving community sustained by an inclusive network of empowered leaders. Our mission is to educate, equip, and engage diverse leaders and inspire civic involvement. Over 1,200 have graduated from the flagship program, over 900 have graduated from the introductory program, Glance Gwinnett, and hundreds continue their leadership enrichment every year through our alumni programming. Leadership Gwinnett is a proud recipient of the 2018 IMPACT Regional Business Award, Nonprofit Sector, and the 2021 Outstanding Organization Moxie Award by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
