2025 Annual Meeting: Reimagining K-12 Education in Georgia
The 2025 GGA Annual Meeting featured engaging sessions on reimagining the teacher pipeline, expanding out-of-school time, supporting youth mental health, and driving innovation in education philanthropy. Attendees heard from education leaders, nonprofit partners, state officials and fellow grantmakers. More information and resources are provided below.
Georgia’s future depends on the strength of its education system—and philanthropy plays an important role in shaping that future.
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Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods, will present on the new Student Bill of Rights, a strategic vision for public education in Georgia. The document serves as an outline of his vision for education and it will guide the development of GaDOE’s next strategic plan, the agency’s 2026 legislative priorities, and beyond.
Speaker Bio:
Richard Woods has served as Georgia’s State School Superintendent since 2015, following more than 30 years in public education as a teacher and administrator. A former high school teacher, principal, and curriculum director, he has kept the focus on classrooms and student wellbeing throughout his tenure.Under Woods’ leadership, Georgia has reduced high-stakes testing to its lowest level, achieved record graduation rates—including 97% for Career Pathway completers—and seen students outperform national SAT and ACT averages. He has expanded opportunities through STEM and STEAM certification, personal finance, fine arts, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, while creating the Department of Education’s first offices for Whole Child Supports and Rural Education.
Woods has been honored nationally with awards from the National Art Education Association, the Department of Defense, and the National FFA Organization. He and his wife, Lisha, a retired educator, live in Tifton, Georgia.
Resources:
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Georgia’s future depends on the strength of its public schools—and philanthropy has an important role to play. In this session, Dr. Dana Rickman, President of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, will frame the conversation around changing the narrative on public education and ensuring all students have both excellent instruction and the supports they need for healthy development.
Then, she will moderate a panel conversation to explore three urgent priorities where philanthropic investment can make a transformative difference:
Rebuilding the teacher pipeline to ensure every student has access to a high-quality, well-supported educator.
Expanding out-of-school time programs, including afterschool and summer learning, to close opportunity gaps and accelerate student success.
Addressing youth mental health, a growing crisis that demands coordinated, community-based solutions.
This session will equip funders with actionable insights, investment opportunities, and partnership models to drive sustainable, equity-centered change in Georgia’s education landscape. Whether you support education directly or are exploring ways to align your giving with broader community impact, this conversation will illuminate where your leadership and resources can have the greatest return.
Speaker Bios:
Dimple Desai, MSW
At Voices for Georgia's Children, Dimple Desai is responsible for designing and leading policy research projects across various “whole child” policy areas (health / behavioral health, education and early childhood education, child welfare, and juvenile justice). She brings extensive knowledge of children’s mental/behavioral health across the life span, and experience in project management, directing program evaluations, technical assistance delivery, and translation of data to inform practice, program, and policy. Before joining Voices in 2022, she was a senior researcher at the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health (COE) at the Georgia Health Policy Center at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Dimple worked on federally and state-funded research and evaluation projects related to the system of care, behavioral health systems, school-based mental health, and workforce development. Dimple's background is in developmental psychology and social work.Dr. Rachel Hazel
Dr. Rachel B. Hazel became Superintendent of the Troup County School System on July 1, 2024. A native of Coweta County and graduate of Pike County High School, she holds a Doctorate in Executive Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education from the University of Central Florida, as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Stetson University.Dr. Hazel began her career in 1996 with Volusia County Public Schools, serving as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She later advanced to district leadership, including roles as Executive Director of Curriculum, Chief Academic Officer, and Director of Human Resources. She has led both instructional and operational divisions, bringing broad expertise in teaching, learning, and organizational leadership.
In addition, Dr. Hazel has contributed to publications, presented nationally and internationally, and been recognized for her work in leadership coaching.
Carol Lewis
Carol F. Lewis, M.S. is President & CEO of Communities In Schools of Georgia (CISGA), where she has led since 2014. Under her leadership, CISGA supports more than 137,000 students statewide—primarily children of color and those living in poverty—helping them stay in school and succeed in life. A native of LaGrange, Georgia, Carol holds degrees from Mercer University and Southern New Hampshire University. She has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunity, beginning in family services and rising through nearly every level of CIS—from volunteer and local affiliate director to COO and now CEO. Carol has spearheaded statewide expansion, strengthened affiliate capacity, and secured significant funding partnerships to sustain long-term impact. She also contributes nationally, serving on CIS’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Design Team and multiple education advisory councils. A mentor and community leader, Carol is deeply committed to building stronger, more resilient futures for Georgia’s students.Dr. Dana Rickman
Dr. Dana Rickman is the fourth president of the Georgia Partnership, having previously served in positions of vice president and research and policy director. She joined the organization in July 2011 after serving as the Director of Research and Policy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation – Atlanta Civic Site. She has also worked for more than 10 years at Georgia State University conducting research on education programs within Georgia. She holds a PhD from Georgia State University in Political Science and a BA from Mary Washington College. She has authored multiple articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters related to education policy and for over ten years served as the primary author of the Georgia Partnership’s annual Top Ten Issues to Watch report.Dr. Ken Zeff
Dr. Ken Zeff is the founding Executive Director of Learn4Life, the metro Atlanta regional education partnership. He previously served as Superintendent and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for Fulton County Schools, and as Chief Operations Officer for Green Dot Public Schools, an award-winning charter network serving 10,000+ students in Los Angeles and New York. A former White House Fellow, Ken was a senior policy consultant to the U.S. Secretary of Education. Earlier, as a manager at Deloitte Consulting, he led strategy, operations projects for Fortune 500 companies. Ken serves on several boards, including Junior Achievement, Invest Atlanta, and the Get Georgia Reading Cabinet, and is an alumnus of the Aspen-Pahara Fellowship and Leadership Atlanta. Elected to the Atlanta Board of Education in 2023, he represents District 3.Resources:
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Out-of-school time (OST) programs—including afterschool and summer learning—are powerful tools for closing opportunity gaps, boosting academic achievement, and supporting the social-emotional development of Georgia’s youth. Yet access to these programs remains deeply unequal across communities.
This session is designed specifically for Georgia’s philanthropic leaders who are seeking high-impact, investment opportunities in education. Panelists will explore how strategic funding can expand access to high-quality OST programs, strengthen community partnerships, and accelerate student success beyond the traditional school day.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the OST ecosystem in Georgia, learn about scalable and sustainable models, and explore how philanthropic capital—whether through grants, partnerships, or capacity-building—can help ensure every child has access to enriching learning experiences beyond the school day.
Speaker Bios:
Shell Knox Berry is President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the CSRA, where she combines her passion for community with expertise in nonprofit management, finance, and business. Her background includes development work with the Atlanta Ballet, investment banking with Banc of America Securities, and small business ownership. An active civic leader, Shell serves on the Augusta Economic Development Authority, the Augusta Tomorrow Board, and as state co-chair for the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance. She is a graduate of Leadership Augusta (2018) and Leadership Georgia (2011) and has held leadership roles at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church. Shell holds a BA from Wake Forest University and a Master of Management from Northwestern University. She lives in Augusta with her husband, Reab, and their three children.
Kim Evans is President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, where she has served since 2014 after joining the Movement in 2008 as CFO. She previously built a distinguished career in accounting and finance. In 2019, she was appointed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America President & CEO Jim Clark to the President’s Advisory Council and later the National Planning Commission, where she helped shape BGCA’s strategic direction, Future READY. She also serves on BGCA’s Government Relations Committee and the boards of the Georgia Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs, Doctors Hospital, Leadership Augusta, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the HUB Augusta Collaborative. A graduate of Leadership Augusta (2016, Chair 2022) and Leadership Georgia (2023), Kim holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Clemson University. Originally from Pawleys Island, SC, she lives in Evans, GA with her husband and two sons.
Katie Landes is the Director of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN), where she works to advance, connect, and strengthen out-of-school time programs across Georgia. She joined Voices for Georgia’s Children in 2013 when GSAN became part of its portfolio. Over the past decade, she has co-led the development of Georgia’s Afterschool Quality Standards, released in 2015, and partnered with the Georgia Department of Education to design and implement the BOOST grant program, which invested $85 million in afterschool and summer learning programs statewide. Katie holds a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. A former Teach for America Corps member, she taught kindergarten and third grade in Atlanta Public Schools before turning to policy and program leadership.
Resources:
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As Georgia navigates a rapidly changing educational landscape, philanthropy is playing an increasingly strategic role in shaping outcomes for students, families, and communities. This session brings together national and regional thought leaders to explore the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in education philanthropy—and what they mean for Georgia.
Join Kenita Williams, Chief Operating Officer at the Southern Education Foundation, and Nicole Rodriguez-Leach, Executive Director at Grantmakers for Education, for a candid and forward-looking conversation on how philanthropic investments are evolving to meet the moment. Together, they will discuss:
Emerging national and regional trends in education philanthropy
The role of funders in supporting systems change, innovation, and community voice
Opportunities for Georgia-based funders to align with broader movements and maximize impact
This session is designed for local philanthropic leaders—from private, family, and corporate foundations to individual donors—who are seeking to deepen their understanding of the education funding landscape and sharpen their strategies for meaningful, measurable impact in Georgia.
Speaker Bios:
Nicole Rodriguez Leach leads Grantmakers for Education’s strategy and operations to advance the organization’s vision, mission, and guiding principles. She partners closely with the board of directors, funders, and partners across the education and philanthropy ecosystems to address foundational inequities in education, inspire creative thinking in education philanthropy, support collective action, and promote positive change to meet learners’ needs. Over her career, Nicole has strengthened education sites and systems to foster flourishing communities. She has held roles in K-12 and postsecondary classrooms, community-based and national nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Her research focuses on education policy, restorative philanthropy, civic engagement, and justice in public administration. In philanthropy, Nicole served as vice president and head of education at Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation and as a program officer at the Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation. Her leadership extended to chairing donor collaboratives, advising giving organizations, and curating learning programs through partnerships with local funding networks. Her grantmaking purposefully supported programs, policies, and partnerships that uphold the public promise of education in a multiracial democracy.
Dr. Kenita T. Williams is the Chief Operating Officer at the Southern Education Foundation, where she oversees daily operations and leads the implementation of SEF’s programmatic priorities. She also serves as a key advisor to the president and CEO, supporting organizational strategy, systems, and culture. She represents SEF to key external partners and helps ensure the organization remains catalytic and impactful in advancing education in the South. Since joining SEF in 2017, Kenita has brought extensive cross-sector experience, including roles with Atlanta Public Schools, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, and JFM Consulting Group. She previously served as a Legislative Correspondent for then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama and is a Teach for America alumna who taught third grade in Atlanta. Kenita holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, a teaching certificate from Georgia State University, and an Ed.D. from Johns Hopkins University.
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Georgia’s educator workforce is facing a critical moment. With rising vacancies, declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, and increasing burnout, the need to attract, prepare, and retain a diverse and effective teaching force has never been more urgent.
This session brings together leading voices from across the education ecosystem to explore the state of Georgia’s teacher pipeline and the innovative strategies being deployed to address it. Designed for philanthropic leaders, the discussion will highlight where targeted investments can drive systemic change and long-term impact.
Together, the panel will explore:
Root causes of Georgia’s teacher shortage
Promising models for recruitment, preparation, and retention
The role of philanthropy in scaling innovation and supporting educator well-being
Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to build a sustainable pipeline
Philanthropic leaders will leave with a clearer understanding of the educator workforce landscape in Georgia and actionable pathways to invest in the people who power our schools.
Speaker Bios:
Dr. Leslie Hazle Bussey is CEO and Executive Director at the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) annually serving over 2,500 educators in 75+ districts. Leslie has served as the GLISI CEO/Executive Director since 2018 and currently serves on the Kennesaw State University Bagwell College of Education Board of Visitors, the advisory board of SEL4GA, and the Expert Team for Georgia’s Statewide Literacy Coaching Model. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management program as well as Leadership Atlanta. Leslie has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University. Leslie is also the proud mom of kids ranging in age from 10 to 24.
Dr. Adrian Epps has served numerous education, community, and civic organizations for 36 years and recently transitioned into leadership consulting. During his 18-year tenure at Kennesaw State University, served as Dean of the Bagwell College of Education; as the Inaugural Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Endowed Dean's Chair; a Professor of Educational Leadership, as an Associate Dean, and as a Center Director. He has also served as the Interim Provost and Vice-President at Dalton State College. He has been heavily engaged in external funding throughout his career with over $60 million in grants and research award. Prior to coming to KSU, he was director of mathematics and science initiatives for the Atlanta Public Schools System. There he served in numerous leadership roles but is most proud of teaching high school science at his alma mater. Dr. Epps also serves on the Board of Directors of the College Board, Hands On Atlanta, the Georgia Women of Achievement, and the Churches Holmes Scholarship Foundation to name a few. He is a proud member in Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025.
Ayodele Harrison is an international educator, leadership strategist, and dynamic facilitator whose work supports Black men to prioritize wellness without compromising their integrity. With almost three decades of experience in education. Ayodele deeply believes that one effective Black male leader can redefine what's possible for hundreds, if not thousands, of students. But no one does this work alone. That’s why, as President and CEO of BMEsTalk (Black Male Educators Talk), he’s building a thriving leadership ecosystem designed to support and equip Black men to lead with purpose, wellness, and authenticity in an education system that urgently needs them. Since 2022, BMEsTalk has grew 215 leaders, reached 40 states and 6 countries, and impacted over 82,000 humans.
Rubye K. Sullivan is a senior associate with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Atlanta Civic Site. She focuses on education achievement and manages a portfolio of education-related investments in the communities that make up the Neighborhood Planning Unit V, the school district and state of Georgia. Previously, she was the executive director of the Data + Information Group at Atlanta Public Schools where she was responsible for research and evaluation, assessment and student information teams. Sullivan led the district in collecting and analyzing data to inform strategic decisions at the classroom, school and district levels, including conducting the district’s first equity audit in 2014. She began her career as a middle grades math teacher in southwest Atlanta. Sullivan received a doctorate in educational studies from Emory University, a master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Boston University. She completed a fellowship with the Harvard Strategic Data Project in 2015. Sullivan is the board vice chair of the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education and an at-large board member for the Directors of Research of the American Educational Research Association.
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Across Georgia, schools are grappling with a growing youth mental health crisis—one that affects academic performance, school climate, and long-term student well-being. As schools step into the role of frontline mental health responders, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to support sustainable, community-rooted solutions that meet students where they are.
This session brings together leaders from state agencies, education, mental health coalitions, and philanthropy to explore how schools are addressing the mental health needs of young people—and how funders can help scale what works.
This conversation is designed for Georgia’s philanthropic leaders—from private, family, and corporate foundations to individual donors—who are seeking to understand the landscape, identify high-impact opportunities, and collaborate across sectors to ensure every child has access to the mental health support they need to thrive.
Speaker Bios:
Danté McKay, JD, MPA, serves as the Region 1 Director, with the Office of the Commissioner, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Region 1 includes 31 counties in North Georgia. As director, McKay works to improve access to quality mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disorder services and supports within the region. Prior to his current appointment, McKay directed the DBHDD Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families. Before joining the State of Georgia, McKay served as the state director at Enroll America, heath policy director at Voices for Georgia’s Children, and as a National Urban Fellow with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is 2013 graduate of Atlanta Leaders for Results, Annie E Casey Foundation.
Sarah McKinney has served as President | CEO of the Athens Area Community Foundation since 2017. She previously led development for the Georgia 4-H Foundation at the University of Georgia and spent 15 years with the Athens Community Council on Aging, where she launched its first development office. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Social Work, Sarah also holds certificates in Gerontology (Kennesaw State University), Leadership (University of Dayton), and Nonprofit Financial Management (Duquesne University). She is active in Rotary Club of Athens, Leadership Georgia (2019), and LEAD Athens, and serves on the Rotary District 6910 and Jackson EMC boards. Sarah and her husband, John, have two children, Nathan and Anna.
Emily Anne Vall has dedicated her career to improving children’s health. In 2019, Vall became Executive Director of Resilient Georgia where she has led the creation of a statewide coalition of trauma-informed organizations by convening diverse private and public partners to create a birth through 26 year old integrated behavioral health system. The statewide coalition includes over 900 stakeholders working to prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and support healing through integrated behavioral health resources and services. She is a proven leader of collaborative, multi-agency initiatives impacting Georgia’s children having served as the Child Health and Wellness director at the Georgia Department of Public Health where she oversaw Georgia Shape, the Governor’s childhood obesity initiative. She spearheaded robust employee wellness efforts at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, including leading the employee wellness team for the pediatric health care system. She began her career as a Title 1 middle school public school educator.
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This session will showcase innovative partnerships that combine philanthropic investment with public funding to expand educational opportunity in Georgia. Peter Silberman of Vision2Learn will highlight how leveraging CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) funding through Health Services Initiatives, in partnership with private philanthropy, is providing vision screenings and glasses to children in low-income communities—directly supporting literacy and learning outcomes. Jennifer Butler, a Morgan County School District Leader and recipient of the PEACH Education Tax Credit program, will share how state policy can be implemented in practical ways to strengthen schools and expand access for students. Together, these examples illustrate how philanthropy can amplify the impact of public resources to improve K-12 education across the state.
Speaker Bios:
Jennifer Butler has nearly three decades of experience in education and has dedicated her career to helping students learn through hands-on opportunities. She began as a Graphic Arts instructor, later teaching Business Education, before serving as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator to help students connect classroom knowledge with real-world experiences. Today, Jennifer is CEO/CTAE Director for Morgan County High School: A Georgia College & Career Academy, where she promotes innovation and supports both students and teachers in charting pathways to success.
A Georgia native, Jennifer is deeply committed to her community and passionate about preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce by ensuring their education is relevant, engaging, and future-focused.
Paige Buzbee is the Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) and the foundation’s first full time staff person. In the role since 2016, she has been responsible for building the infrastructure, brand, and board, as well as casting the strategic vision and operationalizing it. Home to the PEACH Education Tax Credit since 2021, the PEACH Partners Program currently has 61 partners wanting to raise over $90 million. Paige has a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English as a Second Language from Wheaton College and a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Central Florida. She loves building relationships and helping people envision how their investment in public education can literally make the world a better place. She lives in Marietta, Georgia with her two cats and loves yoga, reiki, reading, and stand up paddle boarding in the summer.
Dr. Peter Silberman Ed.D., Chief Growth Officer, Vision To Learn. Dr. Silberman joined VTL in 2018 after working for 13 years in education as a teacher, administrator, and professor. He served as VTL's National Director of Operations where he oversaw our team of program managers and managed service delivery logistics in 12 regions prior to assuming his current position as Chief Growth Officer. In his present capacity, he is responsible for developing and implementing VTL's development strategy across 15 states and Washington, D.C.. Pete holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of California-Los Angeles, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
