Since 1985, Leadership Gwinnett has ensured that the community’s most influential and esteemed leaders are knowledgeable about issues, well networked and passionate about the success of the county and region. Armed with new knowledge, connections and perspectives, Leadership Gwinnett graduates are prepared to take their places as effective community leaders. The program year kicks off in August with orientation and will include two overnight retreats, seven learning days covering topics such as leadership in a world class community, infrastructure, economics, education, health & human services, justice and regional relations, as well as monthly study groups, exclusive tours and hands-on experiences.
“Choosing the class requires balancing the occupations, qualifications and commitment of the candidates to insure a representation that reflects a cross section of the county. The caliber of these applicants makes selection more difficult. Since the class size is limited to 40, many excellent candidates are not chosen on their first nomination. For this reason, we strongly encourage candidates to apply again if not selected,” said Lisa Zaken, Executive Director, Leadership Gwinnett.
“Leadership Gwinnett has been a tremendous success for our county. Since the program’s inception in 1985, 998 alumni have taken their places in our community as decision makers and role models. This Class of 2015 earns a special distinction as the 30th anniversary class of Leadership Gwinnett. Graduates can be found in every aspect of Gwinnett business, civic and cultural life,” said June Sweat, General Chair, Leadership Gwinnett, LEED Facilitator with GreenPoint US, LLC and retired administrator from Gwinnett County Public Schools.
The Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2015 includes:
Rebecca Alexander, Dean, Academic Affairs, Gwinnett Technical College
Marlon Allen, Development Officer, The Hudgens Center for the Arts
Callie Andrews, Chief Operating Officer, Eastside Medical Center
Arlene Beckles, Implementation Project Manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Tracie Cason, Deputy Chief Asst. DA, Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office
Debbie Dees, Assistant Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools
William Edwards, External Affairs Manager, Georgia Power
Keith Fenton, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Annandale Village
Brian Fisher, SVP, Gwinnett Commercial Banking, Brand Bank
Weare Gratwick, Vice President, Wells Fargo and Peachtree Corners City Council
Gayle Hayes, Staff Nurse, Gwinnett Medical Center
Jerri Hewett Miller, President, Wealth Horizon, Inc.
Jennifer Hibbard, CEO, View Point Health
Andrew Hixson, AVP, Union Bank and Norcross City Council
Allen Hoskyn, Senior Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville
Stephen Hrustich, Asst. Chief/Fire Marshal, Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services
John Kahren, President, SPP Pumps-SyncroFlo Inc.
Alan Kaplan, President & CEO, A New Beginning Estate Liquidations, Inc.
Kelly Kelkenberg, Director, Mission Support Division FEMA Region IV and Duluth City Council
Beth Kinsinger, Partner, Thompson, Sweeny, Kinsinger & Pereira P.C.
Bryan Lackey, Director, Planning & Development, Gwinnett County Government
Brian Matayoshi, Professor & Assoc. Director, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kelli McCain, Assistant Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Scott Meadows, President, Wheeler/ Brand Management Company
Tom Merkel, President & CEO, The IMPACT! Group
Andy Morgan, Principal Attorney, The Morgan Law Group, P.C.
Nikki Mouton, Executive Director, Curriculum & Instruction, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Tyler Richards, Assistant Director, Gwinnett County Dept. of Water Resources
Jennifer Sherer, VP, Business Higher Education, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Lisa Sherman, Director, Community & Economic Development, City of Lawrenceville
Alyssa Sinclair Davis, Program Director, Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District
Matt Smith, Partner, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.
Scott Spooner, Principal Attorney, Spooner & Associates, PC
Traci Strom, VP, Marketing & Communications, Gwinnett Chamber
Matt Stringfellow, Partner, TJS Deemer Dana, LLP
Carol Terry, President & CEO, Forensic Pathology Services, P.C.
Daphne Walker, President & CEO, Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Tuwanda Williams, Senior Asst. County Attorney, Gwinnett County Department of Law
Angie Woo, Legal Director, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Jennifer Wunder, Director, Honors Program, Georgia Gwinnett College
Leadership Gwinnett, LLC is the home of two leadership programs. Leadership Gwinnett, a nine-month educational, networking and community development experience and Glance Gwinnett, a 2.5 day short program that gives a sneak peak of what the full program experience is all about. Both programs develop leaders that ultimately create a legacy of success by applying their talents to drive positive change for our community. Please visit for more information: www.leadershipgwinnett.com
