Advisory Council

Laura Pate is a dedicated Parks and Recreation professional with over 25 years of experience in public service leadership. As Deputy Director for Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, she oversees business operations, recreation services and facilities, a multi-million-dollar budget, while leading staff development, accreditation, and strategic initiatives. Laura has been instrumental in advancing department policies, master planning, and community engagement. A Certified Park and Recreation Professional, she is active in state and national associations and has received the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Distinguished Professional Award.

Amber Read is the General Manager/COO of Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, overseeing operations across two properties and leading a team of 350 employees. She contributes at both the local and national levels in the private club industry and is a strong advocate for advancing women in leadership. As a supporter of the Fierce & Fearless initiative, Amber is passionate about intentional cultural growth, mentoring, and creating opportunities for future leaders. She brings her operational expertise, strategic insight, and people-first philosophy to her advisory role with the University of North Georgia’s Women in Leadership Program.

Nancy Rewis is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Berry College. She leads the Marketing and Communications teams actively supporting the strategic goals of the College. Nancy is responsible for managing a comprehensive marketing strategy for the institution and works across all departments to tell Berry’s story through public relations, digital marketing, creative services, video, and photography. Over the last five years, Nancy has led comprehensive market research and a rebranding of the college. She spearheaded the development of a new brand platform and implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy to increase and diversify enrollment at the institution. In partnership with Enrollment Management and IT, Berry grew first-year enrollment by 48 percent from 2018-24 while also increasing enrollment of students of color by 90 percent. In addition, the college increased the high school GPA of its incoming classes for three straight years. Prior to her role at Berry, Nancy was Vice President of Marketing and eCommerce at Gem Shopping Network in Atlanta. From 1994-2014, she served in a variety of roles at Turner Broadcasting including Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development. She was also Senior Director of Brand Partnerships and Director of Marketing for Turner Classic Movies. As a strategic leader, Nancy consistently delivered results through integrated marketing, partnerships, and brand extensions. She built a portfolio of five businesses generating more than $70 million in gross revenue and directed product development and multi-platform marketing. Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Mississippi. She is a member of American Marketing Association, CASE District III, Women We Admire, and has served as Executive Mentor, Turner Women Today.

I serve as the link between those with means to make a difference and those with the skills to make a difference. Together we can transform lives, communities and the world. With 20 years of experience in the non-profit industry, Emily Carter has a passion for resource development. In December 2020, Emily joined Goodwill of North Georgia as the Vice President of Development to support Goodwill’s goal of expanding mission services. Throughout her career, Emily has built sustainable community partnerships to realize bold visions of transformations in the non-profit community. Emily’s passion for fundraising began in high school when she chaired the fundraising committee for her National Honor Society. Emily began her career raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and then ALS Association of Georgia. Immediately prior to joining Goodwill, Emily spent 10 years at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and served as the Vice President of Development. Emily serves as a mentor in the Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising professionals, lead the fundraising efforts and community project in her Leadership North Fulton Class, coaches Girls on the Run, leads a Girl Scout troop, is an active member of the Rotary Club of Buckhead, serves on the Amerigroup, Health Equity Advisory Council, and served as the philanthropy chair of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce BOLD committee.

As a CBRE Americas Hotels leader, I collaborate with the Americas President, Bill Grice, to drive the strategic operations and leadership for this high-growth and market-leading division with global reach and integration. As a Senior Director, I help lead a collection of high-performing professionals in innovative tactical business development initiatives, technology integration for enhanced platform collaboration, progressive next-generation mentorship, and the execution of world-class marketing strategies to strengthen our brand recognition in the marketplace. I also ensure results beyond our clients' expectations by developing the resources and multi-regional team expertise for exceptional execution and outcomes..

Jessica Mason is a passionate champion for people and progress. With over twenty years of experience in Human Resources—and a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran—Jessica thrives at the intersection of leadership, service, and strategy. She’s led diverse teams across industries and continents, always with a commitment to developing talent, building inclusive workplaces, and driving meaningful change. Currently, she supports North American operations as Director of Human Resources, where she coaches leaders, shapes people programs, and keeps humanity at the heart of business. A lifelong learner and servant leader, Jessica holds a Master of Public Administration and proudly serves as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She’s thrilled to serve as an Advisor for the Women in Leadership Program and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of bold, brilliant women.

Lori Smith is Acu-Elligent LLC's CEO and a seasoned government contracting expert. With over four decades of experience in federal service, Lori has built a reputation for guiding businesses through the complexities of federal acquisitions. As the leader of a dedicated team, she provides training and consulting services tailored to help small businesses succeed in securing government contracts. Lori also authorizes acclaimed books, including "GOVCON Revenue Strategy" and "Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success." Known for her dedication to education, Lori holds multiple degrees and is pursuing her doctorate. Her commitment to excellence and her contributions to the industry have been recognized with numerous professional accolades.

Rebekah Barr is CEO and President of Allyon, Inc., a WBENC certified woman-owned small business specializing in providing IT solutions support across United States Federal Government clients. Rebekah is originally from New Jersey and has been in Atlanta for almost 24 years. She has three mostly grown children, 3 dogs and a cat and enjoys spending time with family, traveling and reading.

Christina is a proven leader with experience in change management, and operational excellence, and leading teams through complex transformations. Christina has a passion for developing employees and helping them be their best selves.

Grace Maher is the COO of OTR Solutions, America’s most trusted freight fintech company. OTR Solutions provides industry-leading technology and financial services, tools, and support to help carriers start and grow a successful operation. Trucking companies and Brokerages of all sizes turn to OTR to receive reliable financing and back-office solutions, fuel programs, up-to-date news and education, and technology and innovation to prepare them for anything and everything. Driven by a passion for building success-driven processes and products, Grace combines over thirteen years of industry experience with a relentless commitment to innovation. Her strategic approach has not only fueled business growth but also scaled operations efficiently, with a sharp focus on optimizing operational expenditures. Grace's leadership is defined by her ability to develop robust systems and build exceptional products. Grace founded OTR Solutions’ Women in Logistics chapter in 2015. The group is committed to empowering and recognizing influential women making an impact in logistics and expand their growth in the industry through scholarship and professional development.

Kathryn DeLia is a highly accomplished marketing leader with an impressive three-decade track record of spearheading marketing initiatives for renowned accounting and consulting firms. Her outstanding contributions to the industry were recognized in 2023 when she was honored as one of the top 50 marketers by the prestigious OnCon Icon Awards, among other accolades she has received throughout her career. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Cherry Bekaert, Kathryn plays a pivotal role in driving commercial value through distinctive and innovative marketing and communications initiatives. With a proven track record, she has executed successful marketing campaigns that have not only enhanced the firm's visibility but also directly contributed to its business development efforts. Kathryn leads a cohesive and agile marketing team that collaborates to deliver measurable impact for the firm. Her vast experience, combined with a forward-thinking approach to spearheading innovative marketing strategies, drives lead generation, improves client retention, and increases brand recognition across various industries.

Buffy Payne is a dynamic leader and the President and Founder of Chick & Dude Enterprises. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with a rich background in finance and security management, having served as the Chief Security Officer for a Global Fortune 500 Organization. Buffy is also an accomplished author and a sought-after keynote speaker, known for her engaging and insightful presentations. Dedicated to holistic leadership, social impact, and Christian values, she leads initiatives that support veterans, first responders, and promote ethical business practices. Her work spans diverse sectors, making her a versatile and impactful leader.

C-suite executive with CEO, COO & CHRO experience across multiple industries and segments. Award winning, best-selling author, speaker, coach and consultant. Community leader and volunteer giving back with purpose and humility.

Deidra Cox bring 25 years of Global Talent Acquisition, Executive Coaching and Branding expertise, uniquely positioning as a LinkedIn Top Voice driving clarity, knowledge, engagement, and reach for 20k followers across 20 countries. As a 2x Recruiter at Microsoft and after getting certified on LinkedIn in 2017, Deidra built a company around the platform to help professionals navigate the drastically changed job market - inspiring awareness around the digital landscape and how to build social currency to attract Recruiters and opportunities organically.

Ekaette Kern is a dynamic communications strategist, author, and thought leader with a passion for transforming brands, shaping impactful narratives, and fostering inclusion. As the founder of Tenet Consultancy, Ekaette partners with organizations and executives to craft innovative strategies that drive measurable results and mobilize communities into action. Ekaette is also the author of The Colors of Me, a celebrated children’s book inspired by her daughter, Shiloh, that encourages young readers to embrace their unique identities with confidence and pride. A trailblazer in her field, Ekaette’s expertise spans executive communications, brand development, and crisis management, earning her a reputation as a trusted partner and thought leader. With a commitment to advancing diversity and equity, Ekaette serves as the board chair of The A Pledge and leverages her platform to mentor and empower Black professionals in communications. Driven by her values and inspired by her experiences, Ekaette combines purpose with innovation to shape a more inclusive and impactful world.

Lisa Craft is a dynamic leader with 18 years of experience in professional services, specializing in talent acquisition strategy, leadership development, and organizational growth. Currently serving as Chief of Staff at Proudfoot Consulting, Lisa leverages expertise to drive strategic initiatives, foster collaboration, and enable operational excellence. Known for her growth mindset and passion for mentoring others, Lisa is committed to empowering teams and cultivating future leaders. Throughout her career, Lisa has developed a reputation for delivering innovative talent strategies and guiding organizations through transformative growth. Lisa’s extensive background in leadership and talent acquisition has positioned her as a trusted advisor and organizational strategy. As an advisory member for University of North Georgia, Lisa is bringing a forward-thinking perspective, a commitment to excellence, and a deep dedication to helping organizations achieve sustainable success.

A key member of Apple's U.S. Sales and then Worldwide Product teams for over a decade, Dot later founded Loupe Art, a patented digital art streaming service featured on fourteen global TV platforms, which was acquired by Stingray Group. Currently, she serves as Chief Strategy Adviser to Collimation.TV, an immersive entertainment company based in Los Angeles. Bustelo is recognized worldwide as a product and market development executive specializing in innovation, technology, media, and entertainment. She is a two-time Woman of the Year in Technology finalist for WIT (2021, 2022).