Leadership Gwinnett proudly announces the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2026, the latest cohort in its prestigious program dedicated to developing and empowering community leaders. For 40 years, Leadership Gwinnett has been at the forefront of cultivating informed, connected, and committed leaders equipped to make a meaningful impact in Gwinnett County and beyond.
The Class of 2026, made up of outstanding individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds, will begin a nine-month journey in August 2025. Participants will engage in a hands-on curriculum exploring the region’s history, assets, and pressing issues; all while building lasting relationships and gaining the tools to lead with insight and purpose. By graduation in May 2026, they will be well-positioned to contribute to their communities with greater awareness, influence, and civic resolve.
The Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2026 includes:
Artay Abua-Barnes, Attorney Advisor – Department of Veterans Affairs-Board of Appeals
Chris Adkins, President/CEO – Highrock Construction Consulting
Dee Anderson, Director of Human Resources – TranSouth Logistics
Charbel Aoun, Founder & Executive Director – Georgia First Generation Foundation
Patsy Austin-Gatson, District Attorney – Gwinnett County
Ansley Brewer, Sr. Director, Membership Services – Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Neal Christian, Superintendent – BIA Charter School
Vala Clark, Chief Engagement Officer – Gwinnett Coalition
Janae Combs, Executive Director – Center for Navigating Family Change
Melanie Conner, CEO – Rainbow Village
Stephanie Dennis, Associate Attorney – Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.
Dr. Christy Dinkins, Assistant Director of Campus and Community Partnerships – PCOM Georgia
Ora Douglass, City Council Post 5 – City of Peachtree Corners
Kari Evans, Director of Branch Services – Gwinnett County Public Library
Dr. Allan Gee, Cluster Superintendent – Gwinnett County Public Schools
Joe Godfrey, SVP Gwinnett Market President – Oconee State Bank
Matt Gore, Public Works Director – City of Suwanee
Jaryd Green, Partner – Weinstein & Black LLC
Amanda Groover, Business Development Manager – CROFT & Associates
Candy Isabel, Founder & CEO – Khamai Strategies
Jay Jenkins, GA Real Estate & Institutions Market Leader – VHB
Cindy Kinchen, Principal – Duluth High School – Gwinnett County Public Schools
Bertrand Lapoire, Economic Development Director – City of Peachtree Corners
Heather Loveridge, Executive Director – Home Repairs Ministries
Carion Marcelin, Live Healthy Gwinnett Manager – Gwinnett County Government
Barbara Martell, Interim AVP, Advancement & President, GGC Foundation – Georgia Gwinnett College
Sonya McDaniel, Vice President Administrative Services – Gwinnett Technical College
Christopher McGahee, Director of Economic Development and Marketing – City of Duluth
Juan Mejia, Principal – JCM Ventures
Denise Mitchell, Tax Commissioner – Gwinnett County
Jeffrey Mitchell, Director of Youth Programs – University of Georgia
Dr. LaDessa Mitchell, Executive Director – MERGE Inc.
Michelle Mohrman, Chief Human Resource Officer – Annandale Village
Crystal Moon, Clemency Division Director – State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Bethany Nestor, Events & Volunteer Coordinator – Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Sky Park, Director of Legal, Public Policy – Metro Atlanta Chamber
Nathan Powell, CEO – Powell Firm, LLC
Margie Pozin, Director of Community Development & Engineering – City of Duluth
Dr. Ken Reed, Community Clergy and Founder – Caregivers Care Coaching and Consulting
Ryne Roseberry, Director of Pharmacy – Piedmont Eastside Medical Center
Suleima Salgado, Chief Executive Officer – Global Partnership for Telehealth
Joy Thompson, Senior Vice President, Transit and Rail Engineering – WSP USA
Daniel Tuffy, President and Chief Administrative Officer – Northeast Georgia Physicians Group
Eli (Eliezer) Velez, COO – Latin American Association
Dr. Tereka Williams, Executive Director, Federal Programs – Gwinnett County Public Schools
Ruby Wilson, CFO – Gwinnett County Public Library
Leah Wirtz, Chief Operating Officer – Better Beans Branding
Jeffery Wong, Director of Operations – CTJ Construction Company
Do you know someone who would make an excellent candidate for Leadership Gwinnett? Nominate them today. Applications for the Class of 2027 open in January 2026. Interested in getting involved sooner? Register for our immersive two-and-a-half-day program, Glance Gwinnett, October 22nd-24th, 2025.
About Leadership Gwinnett
Leadership Gwinnett envisions a thriving community sustained by an inclusive network of empowered leaders. Our mission is to educate, equip, and engage diverse leaders to inspire civic involvement. Leadership Gwinnett is the Gwinnett Glue™ that holds our community together, fostering collaboration, unity, and shared purpose among its members. Since its inception, over 1,300 individuals have graduated from the flagship program, and over 1,000 from the short program, Glance Gwinnett. Our alumni continue their leadership journey through ongoing enrichment programs. Leadership Gwinnett is honored to have received the IMPACT Regional Business Award, Nonprofit Sector, and the Outstanding Organization Moxie Award from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
