Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board 2020-2021 Member Biography Book

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board 2020-2021

Members Biography Book

Who We Are The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board is a group of young professionals who share a commitment to shaping the future of female leaders in Atlanta and are looking to expand their networks through social, educational, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities.

These 24 young professionals are a group of exceptional young leaders who will use their fresh perspectives and valuable insights to empower local girls.

In the following pages, you can read more about each member of the 2020-2021 Junior Board and find out what makes them unique and why they are passionate about being a champion for girls.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Maranie Brown is a Sr. Digital Program Manager at You Are Here (YAH) Agency, a digital experience agency, leading program management for top clients and driving the execution of cross-discipline digital engagements. Before YAH, she served as Product Marketing Lead, Innovation Solution & Development at North Highland and Regional Marketing Lead at SapientRazorfish.

Maranie has been recognized for significant influence as a “Rising Star” for outstanding contributions to the digital community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Ad Club and most recently served on the Junior League of Atlanta Board of Directors, serving as VP, Learning & Development. Maranie volunteers with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Women in Technology, and the United Way of Greater Atlanta, serving on the African-American Partnership Cabinet. She's a graduate of Leadership Buckhead and the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s Inspire Atlanta Program.

She is a member of LEAD Atlanta’s Class of 2020 and Leadership America's Class of 2020.

Monique Cole is a sales professional in the paper and packaging industry working for WestRock. She helps her customers identify which display and packaging solutions best fit their retail needs. Monique is Six Sigma Green Belt certified, pursuing her Black Belt. She thrives on finding ways to continuously improve the activities of her peers and customers.

Monique received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2014. She is on the board of Georgia Tech Women's Alumni Network co-leading events for the women and friends of Georgia Tech. She primarily volunteers with C5 Georgia Youth Foundation and Open Hand, along with picking up any small opportunity to support her West End community.

Her current challenge is perfecting the game of golf. Monique thrives off of the energy or her environment and prefers an energetic atmosphere. On a slow evening she enjoys reading, puzzles, and partaking in sweets. In her different spaces, she aims to be a voice for those that may not have the opportunity.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

My name is Helen Davison. I am currently working for the largest water bottling company (Niagara Bottling) in the US as a Quality Manager in Newnan, Georgia. While with Niagara, I have worked in several different roles including QA manager, production supervisor, and preventative maintenance supervisor.

This has given me an well-rounded background with a company that is constantly innovating to lessen their impact on the environment and teach the public about our processes.

I am a 2018 graduate from Agnes Scott College in Decatur and have lived in Georgia my entire life. I was a Girl Scout from Kindergarten until 12th grade and I am looking forward to getting back involved with an organization that I respect.

Elyse Dawson is a Manager of Corporate Events and Conference Centers at Invesco. In this role, she is responsible for strategically executing meeting and events on behalf of the firm. Elyse oversees operations for the North American conference centers located in Atlanta and Houston. She has been in the hospitality industry for 10 years with a concentration on corporate meetings and events.

Elyse’s passion for meeting and events has been a driving force in her work both inside and outside her firm. She is involved in several hospitality industry associations such as Meeting Professional International (MPI) and Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) and has served on committees within those organizations.

Elyse earned her Bachelor of Art degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Elyse obtained her certification as a certified meeting planner (CMP).

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Jordan Fessehaie is a College Success Manager at Thrive Scholars, where she works with students and empowers them throughout their college experience. Before Thrive Scholars, Jordan worked in Silicon Valley at LinkedIn as partof their Business Leadership Program.

Growing up in Atlanta, Jordan was very involved in Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta some highlights include: being part of the Inaugural Class of Miss Media 2013, Camp CEO (2011, 2012, 2013), Girl Scouts Forever Green US/UK Twinning Project, Art Editor and Staff Writer for Lime Green Giraffe, 100th Anniversary Alumnae Celebration Speaker, and Camp Counselor Training Certification.

Jordan is a Posse Foundation Alumni and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Boston University. Fun fact - she doesn't have a favorite Girl Scout Cookie flavor!

Kristina Forbes is the Vice President of Operations for Georgia Bio and the Center for Global Health Innovation. She is responsible for the strategic direction and financial management of the association’s member services, programs and events, and purchasing programs. She also serves as a liaison to current and prospective members of the association and the life sciences and global health community.

Kristina served as Director of Business Development for the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG); the leading technology industry association in the state with more than 400 member companies consisting of 35,000+ individuals. Additional nonprofit experience has included the Chi Phi Educational Trust and the Atlanta Area Council – Boy Scouts of America.

Kristina received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia (Dean’s List). She also has training in nonprofit fundraising from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A native Georgian, Kristina lives in Midtown Atlanta and has been a volunteer member of Rotary International, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Gammaand Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, baking apple pies, and traveling.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Bri’el K. Gordon is a Community Affairs Marketing Coordinator at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, where she is the engine behind the firm’s corporate social responsibility initiative, MMMPact. In her three years at the firm she has partnered with firm and community leaders to expand MMMPact’s volunteer engagement and diversity programs.

Through her years of work building partnerships between the firm and the community, she has planned the firm’s annual fundraiser for a local non-profit, raising over $60,000 in 2019, coordinated the firm’s holiday gift program with the Mercy Care Foundation to benefit over 100 children, and enhanced attorney volunteerism through Service Juris with Hands on Atlanta.

In addition to her role at the firm, Bri’el has a passion for giving back to her local community.

She currently serves as Co-Leader of a local troop with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta as well as Service Unit Fall Product Program Chair and a Provisional Member of The Junior League of Atlanta. Bri’el is a graduate of Georgia State University and resides in East Atlanta with her eight-year-old daughter.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

To Bria, Homecoming is lending a hand in her community because when communities thrive we thrive.

Bria arrived at DTSpade by way of her passion for architecture and marketing. Bria’s interest in Commercial Real Estate was sparked through her previous role at the Georgia Municipal Association working alongside the finance and operations team.

Prior to this brief experience, and several other internships, she knew it was the business she belonged in.

Following her graduation from Webster University in 2020 with her master’s degree in Public Relations, she sought out a new industry to bring together both of her interests and connected with DTSpade. She decided it was the best fit due to her commitment to service and career goals.

Bria can’t wait to see the projects that she has assembled come to fruition and make a change in the community.

Bria believes that without challenge there is no change. The best way to challenge yourself, get out of a comfort zone, and keep pushing the envelope of being great – not being good – is to set goals that have everything to do with your vision for yourself.

At DTSpade, Bria’s great work is thinking outside of the box.

When she comes down from her great work with DTSpade, she’s spending time outdoors with her toy poodle or cheering on her favorite college football team. You might also catch Bria at Zoo Atlanta from time to time as she loves animals.

In case that’s not enough information, Bria has • Bachelor of Science – Georgia Southern University • Master’s degree – Webster University • For(bes) for the Culture 30 under 30 • LINC Board Member for United Way of Greater Atlanta

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Kentara Johnson is a Compliance Sr. Associate at Wells Fargo where she specializes in third party risk compliance. She attended the University of West Georgia and she has her Master’s in Business Administration in International Business from Louisiana State University - Shreveport.

Kentara enjoys reading, volunteering and traveling. Her favorite cookie is the trefoil.

Catherine Kenimer is an Atlanta native who is a proud employee of The Home Depot. She specializes in facilities management and special projects. She enjoys working on initiatives surrounding new technologies.

Catherine is an active member of the Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. and a graduate of the YWCA of Atlanta’s Georgia Women’s Policy Institute. She is extremely passionate about advocacy and workforce development for young girls and women. Believing wholeheartedly that empowered women empower women, she is excited to serve on the junior board for the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and continue her mission of elevating the next generation of female leaders.

In her free time, you can find her tapping it back on a bike at a spin studio or reading historical fiction novels.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Kiara Lane, communications manager at The Coca-Cola Company, has a passion for helping organizations tap into the power of creativity, innovation and storytelling. In her role at CocaCola, she manages internal communications for the company’s IT function--reaching more than 2,500 employees worldwide and providing strategic counsel to the Chief Information Officer. Before joining Coca-Cola in 2015, Kiara was the marketing & public relations manager at Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (Virginia), where she led media relations and stakeholder communications. She brings a full range of experience from agencies, nonprofits, and corporate, including The Metropolitan Business League, DuPont, Ketchum, and Pulsar Advertising.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in mass communication at Virginia Commonwealth University and has a master’s degree in corporate communications and public relations from Georgetown University. Today, Kiara lives in Atlanta with her husband and their dog, Lupita. She gives back to her community as an adjunct professor and active member of several nonprofits empowering diverse communities.

A Florida native, Ashley Lindenberg has been in Atlanta for a little over six years and is a manager in EY's Strategy and Transactions group. Ashley is passionate about the Girl Scouts mission to develop the next generation of resilient female leaders as well as inspiring confidence that all young women can achieve the unexpected.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Sierra Martin is a Management Consultant at Accenture where she has worked since graduating from Ohio State University in 2017.

Outside of work, Sierra is very passionate about uplifting fellow women and minorities.

She is the Social Media Manager for United Women Inc. based in Atlanta and a recent graduate of the United Way VIP Program.

Her interests include travel, exercise, brunch, and spending time with friends and family.

Jordan Moore is an Esports Coordinator for IMG with four years (2016- 2020) of experience in event/tournament operations and administrative responsibilities. Moore began her time at IMG working for ELEAGUE (2016- 2018), the premium esports content and live tournament brand. At ELEAGUE, she supported tournament operations for numerous events, including two CS:GO Major Championships.

During the past two years (2018-2020), she has worked on esports events outside of ELEAGUE. Most notably, she assisted with tournament operations for the Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am, Fortnite Summer Block Party, Fortnite World Cup, and Stay at Home Slam.

Jordan graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree focused in sport management and a minor in business. Moore serves on the inaugural Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board. She is also a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts and a Silver Award recipient.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Sarah Phaff is an attorney in the Atlanta office of the law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP, where she focuses her practice in all areas of employment and labor law. Sarah regularly counsels and guides clients on employee relations issues, seeking practical legal solutions that are the best fit for a particular client. Sarah also conducts training on a variety of topics, including litigation prevention, harassment, discrimination, leave issues, employment policies, investigations, documentation, and best practices for employers. Sarah was named to the 2021 edition of Best Lawyers in America's first-ever rankings of “ones to watch,� recognizing attorneys with less than eight years in practice. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Oglethorpe University. Sarah earned her J.D. from Mercer University School of Law, where she served as Managing Editor of the Mercer Law Review. Sarah enjoys serving on the Alumni Board at Oglethorpe University, walking with her dog Ender, cooking, exploring Atlanta’s amazing eateries, and spending time with her family and friends. Sarah is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board and is looking forward to making a difference and empowering girls in the Atlanta area!

Madeline Plant graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and has since served as a Member Experience Associate with World 50, a private membership community for global CEOs and C-level executives based in Buckhead.

From an early age, Madeline knew she wanted to be in the event planning field and is thrilled to be orchestrating events throughout the world. During her 12 years as a Girl Scout, Madeline earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, as well as participated in many programs such as Camp CEO and Destinations.

Madeline grew up in Peachtree City, Georgia, but has had the opportunity to travel the world with her family and job and hopes to continue to do so. She previously spent two summersliving in Paris studying both the language and culture and aspires to move to France in the future.

While home in Atlanta, she can frequently be found cheering on the Atlanta Braves or curled up on the couch reading a good book. Madeline is thrilled to be serving on the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Junior Board to help give back to the organization that gave her so much.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Lauren Rock is a Caribbean American and Wisconsin native that has recently built a legacy in Atlanta, as a life-long learner, philanthropic engineer, and advocate for racial and social justice. Lauren serves as the Director, Individual Engagement and staff lead for Young Professional Engagement efforts at the United Way of Greater Atlanta, a role primarily responsible for engaging individual donors and supporting donor engagement groups for young and emerging leaders in the Greater Atlanta area.

Lauren has dedicated her professional life to building community in the education and nonprofit sectors, after becoming interested in community change during her internships and pursuit of her Bachelor in Educational Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University.

She invests her personal time as a volunteer leader with Girls on the Run Atlanta, the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and Illinois Wesleyan University Young Alumni Council, and serves as an advisor to numerous young professional networks across the country. When she is not volunteering, Lauren golfs and practices yoga, eating diverse foods, provides administrative and digital development support to start-ups, and is a member of the women’s and young professionals arm of several national organizations.

Tiffany Scott attended Spelman College and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in Economics and minored in Business Management and Organization. After several years as a planning analyst in New York City with ANN Taylor INC and Ross Stores, Tiffany relocated to Atlanta and transitioned into the nonprofit sector as a fundraising professional.

Tiffany is currently the Senior Director of Development for OneGoal- a national nonprofit with the mission to help all students achieve their highest post-secondary aspirations. Prior to joining, OneGoal she was the Manager of Donor Cultivation for City of Refuge, a local nonprofit organization focused on creating a pathway out of poverty for individuals and families residing in Westside Atlanta.

She dedicates most of her civic time on child literacy and local education initiatives that ensure students are prepared for the workforce. Tiffany is currently serving her fourth year as a Power Lunch Volunteer with Everybody Wins Atlanta at Thomasville Heights Elementary, 2019 Association of Fundraising Professionals Diversity Fellow, 2019-20 Fund Development Chair for Urban League at Greater Atlanta Young Professionals and graduate of United Way of Greater Atlanta V.I.P program.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Alexis Simmons is a Yield Optimization Analyst who partners with regional executives and market leadership to bring numbers life through analytics. After spending time working in Advertising for Comcast’s Effectv, Alexis knows what drives conversations, decision- making, and process flows. It’s how well you bring data and insights to life and what stories resonate with the very colleagues you’re trying to help.

Alexis stands firm on cultivating environments that give girls and women the opportunity to succeed, grow, and develop.

Alexis also enjoys volunteering, baking, DIY projects, and all things football. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Spelman College.

Shaniqua L. Singleton is an Associate at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, practicing products liability, employment, and commercial litigation. She is an avid volunteer and enjoys community service, having served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and regularly volunteering with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.

Shaniqua is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Georgia School of Law. In her spare time, Shaniqua enjoys creating music and singing, and serves on the worship team at her church.

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Emily Snelling is a marketing and communications professional with over ten years of experience in the higher education sector. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 2012 from Kennesaw State University, with a focus in professional editing.

Emily holds certifications in professional grant writing, project management, professional video editing, and executive leadership from Emory University and Georgia State University's Executive Education Program in the Robinson School of Business. In her current role, Emily manages the marketing and communications at Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Modern Languages, as well as runs her own marketing consulting firm in Atlanta.

Emily was involved in Girl Scouts from a young age as a Daisy, Brownie, and a Junior scout.

“I look forward to serving on the Girl Scouts Junior Board of Directors with this group of highlyskilled leaders. It’s an honor to be selected as part of the inaugural class, and I’m excited to use our collective strengths to make a difference in the organization.”

Shannon N. Williams is a communications professional with experience working in the nonprofit and public sectors.

An Atlanta native, she holds a degree in Communications and Rhetoric with a minor in Art from Oglethorpe University.

Her passions include LGBTQ rights and environmental activism.

Shannon’s fondest childhood memories are of her adventures in Girl Scouts, because her troop leader was always her mom

Junior Board Members 2020-2021

Ashley Wilson joins us from The Coca-Cola Company where works as a Creative Activation Manager responsible for delivering value through ideation and execution of incidence driving initiatives for key customers across the National On-Site Specialty Retail Business.

Before joining the Coca-Cola Company, Ashley worked as a Program Manager for the Atlanta Police Foundation where she led and executed a variety of complex projects with key stakeholders. In 2018, she led a cross-functional team that developed a compensation study for the Atlanta Police Department that served as a key measurement tool for managing areas of attrition and retention and was adopted by the current Mayor of Atlanta.

Additionally, she holds the Chair of Branding position on the Women’s LINC Business Resource Group – Coca-Cola. In this role, Ashley is responsible for ensuring that the mission, vision and goals of the BRG are strategically communicated via digital platforms within the company Ashley is a native of Georgia and currently resides in Dallas, GA with her husband Kevin and 5year-old daughter McKinley. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, party planning, brunching with friends and most importantly being a parent volunteer for her daughter’s school.

Christine Yeager leader rooted in embracing the differences each team member brings and discovering the value we can create together. She has worked at Coca-Cola for 9 years in various positions with a common thread for inspiring change for the better and delivering tangible results. Her current role is Director of Annual and Long-Range Planning where she coordinates the growth narrative for Coca-Cola North America.

Throughout her career, she has come to advocate for a safe and welcoming work environment where peers can bring their whole self to work. This has brought her to volunteer activities that focus on empowering women: Presidency of The Coca-Cola Company’s women’s business resource group, Atlanta Women’s ERG, Executive Women of Goizueta, Next On Board and others. She is most excited to turn her focus to supporting young women achieve their aspirations through Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

Although born a Texan, Christine has fully assimilated into the beauty of the Southeast. The perfect spring and fall weather along with the immediate access to outdoor activities allows her to easily pursue her passion for hiking and homemade dinners on the patio. She completed her Bachelor in Science at Clemson University, and in 2014 she finished her Master’s of Business Administration degree at Emory University.