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Thirty high school students representing 29 counties across Georgia have built their leadership skills and knowledge through a statewide youth leadership program run by the University of Georgia.

The students graduated from the inaugural Youth LEAD Georgia class on Nov. 4 at Trilith Studios near Atlanta.

“This was a very insightful program,” said Erin Stanford of Swainsboro. “It made me more confident and helped me understand what I need to do for my community.”

A partnership among UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development; Chick-fil-A, Inc.; and The Same House organization, Youth LEAD Georgia is designed to equip youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to be the future leaders of the state.

A generous $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute is providing financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia and an annual youth leadership summit. Thanks to the support from Chick-fil-A, Youth LEAD Georgia is available at no cost to participants.

“Chick-fil-A’s investment in Youth LEAD Georgia represents our continued commitment to developing and empowering the next generation of leaders,” said Brent Fielder, Vice President of Global Impact, Chick-fil-A, Inc. “We congratulate the inaugural graduates of this program and look forward to seeing how the skills and connections they have fostered will help them enact meaningful change in their communities in the years ahead.”

These 30 students began the program in January as 10th and 11th graders. Now 11th and 12th graders, they have attended four weekend retreats held in different communities across the state and a four-day summer bus tour of south Georgia.

“It was great to see some places for the first time and also learn things about communities I had been to that I never knew before,” said Mary Burke Smith of Rome.

At graduation, the program also announced the inaugural class of Bullard Community Champions. This generous gift from Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, to UGA enables Youth LEAD Georgia participants to take on service projects in their local communities, offering them the chance to put their leadership and citizenship skills into action.

“The Same House extends much deserved congratulations to the 2024 Youth LEAD Georgia graduates and to the Fanning Institute for its leadership in developing this program that will pay incredible dividends for the participants and their communities,” said Bullard. “We are looking forward to supporting and working with the graduates as they undertake projects as Bullard Community Champions.”

Bullard, fellow Georgia business leader Fred Hicks and faculty at UGA’s Fanning Institute collaboratively designed the concept of the program. UGA Fanning Institute faculty developed the programming and curriculum and are facilitating Youth LEAD Georgia.

“Through Youth LEAD Georgia, these youth have had a chance to develop the leadership skills, build the connections and gain the understanding to engage in their communities as future leaders,” said Lauren Healey, UGA Fanning Institute senior public service faculty. “We appreciate these young people for their efforts, and we are grateful for the partnership with Chick-fil-A and The Same House.”

Along with the leadership training, the youth participated in experiential learning activities and in-depth dialogue on current issues and challenges facing Georgia. They also had the opportunity to interact with prominent business and community leaders.

The 2024 Youth LEAD Georgia class is:

• Amelia Claire Anderson, Trenton

• Ethan Barlay, Stockbridge

• Samantha Barrera-Morales, Lilburn

• Jake Bennett, Thomson

• Louden Busbee, Macon

• Evan Cornish, Athens

• Gabrielle Culbreath, Atlanta

• Presley Douglas, Metter

• Addie Drinnon, Americus

• Grayson Faircloth, Carrollton

• Elizabeth Ann Hobby, Moultrie

• Claire Jefferson, Byron

• Mason Johnson, Albany

• Hannah Kelly, Hephzibah

• Riley Kennard, Acworth

• Kailyn King, Statesboro

• Lilly Lanier, Newton

• Christina Mack, Stone Mountain

• Jawhon Moye, Atlanta

• Owen Osborne, Newnan

• AAshi Patel, Cordele

• Mary Hollis Pugmire, Madison

• Mary Burke Smith, Rome

• Erin Stanford, Swainsboro

• Grayson Taylor, Douglas

• Carolyn Thomas, Eatonton

• Tierney Walton, Valdosta

• Walker Woolard, Leesburg

• Carrie Wright, Sandersville

• Ethan Yang, Cumming

Meanwhile, the 2025 Youth LEAD Georgia class will be announced later this month and will begin the program in January. Nominations for the 2026 Youth LEAD Georgia class will open in May 2025.

For more information on Youth LEAD Georgia, click here.

Nearly half of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the No. 1 killer of women. 1 Because of her passion for improving women’s heart health in metro Atlanta, Julia Houston, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for Equifax will serve as the 2024-2025 volunteer chair of Go Red for Women in metro Atlanta. Launched more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness, Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s global movement designed to serve as a catalyst for change to improve the health of women.

CVD is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, and continues to be women’s greatest health threat. 2 According to the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as women grow and change so does their risk for CVD. Unique life stages like pregnancy and menopause can affect that risk. The good news is the majority of cardiovascular disease incidents can be prevented through lifestyle changes and education. Through Go Red for Women, the Association calls on all women to take charge of their health and encourage other women to do the same. Because when it comes to their health, women have the best resource: they have each other.

“I was inspired to chair Go Red for Women this year because heart health is deeply personal to me—it affects so many women in our community, including the ones we love,” said Houston. “As women, we often put everyone else first, but it’s so important to remember that our own health matters, too. Go Red for Women is about encouraging us to prioritize our heart health while supporting and empowering each other. Together, we can raise awareness, share knowledge, and take action to help women of all ages take control of their heart health. It’s a mission I’m proud to lead, and I look forward to making a difference in the lives of so many.”

The 2024-25 Atlanta Go Red for Women Campaign focuses on meeting the evolving needs of women now, and at every age, every stage, and every season of their lives as their trusted, relevant source for credible, equitable health solutions. Driven by the strength of community support, the Association has successfully expanded postpartum Medicaid benefits in Georgia, launched farm fresh markets to

combat nutrition insecurity, and enacted smoke-free ordinances in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia. Additionally, initiatives like distributing health resources to new moms and inspiring high school girls to pursue STEM careers are driving equity and transforming women’s health across metro Atlanta.

“We are incredibly grateful for Julia and her unwavering passion and dedication to the Go Red for Women movement,” said Carla Smith, Metro Atlanta American Heart Association region senior vice president and executive director. “She leads by example through her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for women’s heart health, and because of this she has made a significant impact on our community.”

Go Red for Women is a global movement with impact across the United States and in more than 50 countries around the world. This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on Thursday, May 22 during the Atlanta Go Red for Women luncheon at the JW Marriott in Buckhead.

Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Atlanta Go Red for Women luncheon is locally sponsored by Atlanta Braves, Cox Enterprises, Encompass, Northside Hospital, PwC, Wellstar Health System, Southern Company,

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