President & CEO, Woodruff Arts Center

Hala Moddelmog is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Woodruff Arts Center. Moddelmog has spent 30 years in president and CEO roles and has served as a corporate director for four NYSE companies and a Carlyle Group private portfolio company board. Her career has been spent almost entirely in Atlanta. 

Moddelmog became the Arts Center CEO in September 2020 after serving for six years as the first female President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, where she represented more than 15 Fortune 500 companies in the country’s eighth largest metro. Prior to that role, Moddelmog was President of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, then a division of the Wendy’s Arby’s group, where she dramatically improved the company’s financial performance, tripling net income.

Previously, Moddelmog served as President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. Under her leadership, Komen achieved its first 4-Star Charity Navigator rating. From 1995–2004, Moddelmog served as the first female president of an international QSR chain at Church’s Chicken, leading the brand through a complete transformation.

Moddelmog has spent nearly a decade serving in volunteer leadership at the Arts Center. She served on the Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees from 2011–2017 and has served on the Woodruff Governing Board since 2017.

Concurrently she also served on the Alliance Theatre Board of Directors from 2011–2020 and led the Alliance Theatre Board as co-chair from 2017–2019.   Moddelmog currently serves as a director on the boards of FleetCor Technologies (NYSE:FLT) and Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW). Her service in Atlanta’s nonprofit community currently includes the Board of Trustees of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Board of Directors of the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission, a governorappointed position, and on the Executive Committee of Midtown Alliance. 

Moddelmog lives in Ansley Park with her husband, Steve. They have two adult children, two sons-in-law, a granddaughter, and a grandson. 

CEO, Gateway Center

Mr. Raphael Holloway joined the Gateway Center in July 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Holloway is an accomplished leader with 20+ years of experience in the social services arena specializing in behavioral health, correction, homelessness and public health sectors. He has displayed a strong non-profit and state government business acumen and understands “how to change when change is hard”.

Mr. Holloway is a proven professional with expertise in motivating human resources and aligning multiple groups with divergent objectives and priorities towards a common goal. He utilizes skills, theories, and strategies that are not only relevant but necessary for leading results based organization and team of professionals that desire to be “agents of change”. Mr. Holloway has displayed a commitment to the utilization of data; desire to utilize a human centered approach in service design; strong initiative and exceptional skills in leading an organization’s business.

A native of Toledo, OH, Raphael received his B.A. in Child and Family Services and M.A in Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University.

President & CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

Committed to living by his personal motto,“Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur and emerging philanthropist, James M Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others

James serves as President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs RICE) Honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J Russell, Sr he will lead the development of the largest center in America, dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners over 50 000 square feet designed to inspire ideas, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community

An Atlanta native and die hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U S Presidents for his leadership and community efforts In 2012 James was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change Following in the Footsteps of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr

Dedicated to service, James is a National Point of Light Award and Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award recipient James has served on numerous boards including the Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Chamber Board of Directors, the Atlanta Beltline TAD Advisory Committee, a Georgia Forestry Foundation Trustee, and Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank’s, Next Generation Advisory Board

A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, James was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future while Atlanta Magazine recognized him as one of the city’s most powerful leaders He is a recipient of the coveted Whitney M Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drum Major for Service Award, a New Leaders Council Fellow, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta

James and his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander currently reside in East Atlanta with their daughter Sage.

President & CEO, CHRIS 180

Kathy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 45 years of experience. Since 1987, Kathy has been the Chief Executive Officer of CHRIS 180, where under her leadership, the organization has grown to become a leader in the Southeast around trauma-informed care, behavioral health, community and wraparound services child and family welfare, wraparound services and community partnerships. Over the years, Kathy has provided consistent leadership through innovation and initiatives that break down barriers and result in outreach and help for underserved, invisible and traumatized populations.

Today, CHRIS 180’s impact can be found in a host of programs and initiatives including: the operation of several counseling centers, a substance abuse program, a school-based mental health program serving 80 schools, as well as programs for children in foster care and unaccompanied minors, a permanent supportive housing program and a drop-in center for emerging adults, and young parents experiencing homelessness and a number of comprehensive community programs designed to strengthen families through wraparound services, adoption and build community through decreasing gun violence and promoting healing, an outreach and community housing program, after school partnerships with the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Centers and Boys and Girls Clubs, re-entry programs with Juvenile and Adult Courts, an Integrated Health Clinic in partnership with Mercy Care and the CHRIS Training Institute.

Kathy’s awards for her work advocating for underserved communities span decades. In 2003, Kathy was humbled to receive the Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award from the Human Rights Campaign; in 2010 she was recognized with the Evelyn Ullman Innovative Leadership Award; and in 2013, Kathy was honored to receive the Turknett Leadership Character Award. She has been selected as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs over the past several years and in 2020 Kathy was recognized by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement and named a 2020 Woman Making a Mark. in 2019, 2020 and 2021 Kathy was named one of Atlanta’s 500 Most Influential Leaders by Atlanta Magazine. Kathy is particularly proud that CHRIS 180 programs, services, and staff have been recognized for expertise and leadership in trauma-informed care and innovation over the years. Kathy’s passions include volunteerism and donating her time to many social and environmental causes. In addition to CHRIS 180, Kathy serves on the Board of the Georgia Commission on Service and Volunteerism to which she was appointed by former Governor Nathan Deal, is an active alumnus of Leadership Atlanta an advisor for Bearing Bikes and serves on the Advisory Board for Susan G. Komen of Greater Atlanta. Kathy is married, has two grown daughters, two dogs, two cats and enjoys hiking, traveling and photography.

CEO, Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Since 2002, Matheson has directed all operations for the 30-acre public garden, and under her leadership, the nonprofit organization has actively expanded fund-raising, education, marketing, business administration, horticulture and conservation efforts with a rapidly growing membership base of more than 42,000. Additionally, she is responsible for the development of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, a 185-acre public garden in Gainesville, Georgia.

She also was the driving force behind two $50 million-plus capital campaigns that enabled the Garden to expand, doubling its size to 30 acres with new gardens and facilities.

The meteoric growth in Garden attendance over her 20 years has enabled it to reach larger and broader audiences for its mission in educating the public about its plant and animal conservation efforts.

In 2022, the Garden Club of America presented Matheson with its Zone Civic Improvement Commendation, and in 2021, the Garden was awarded the American Public Gardens Association’s Award for Garden Excellence, selected by its peers for demonstrating the highest standards of horticultural best practices.

Matheson is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, serves as board chair for Midtown Alliance and is on the board of the Food Well Alliance. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta.

Before joining the Garden, Matheson was Executive Director of the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in Salt Lake City. Originally a horticulturist, she earned a B.S. in Resource Management & Park Planning and an Executive Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

President & CEO, Hillside

Emily Acker joined Hillside to serve as President and CEO in August 2014. Founded in Atlanta in 1888, Hillside offers an array of intensive psychiatric treatment programs for children and adolescents. Over 800 young people from across Georgia and the United States receive vital mental health services at Hillside each year.

Emily began her work in child and adolescent treatment services in 1988 at Inner Harbour in Douglasville, Georgia. She has a BA in psychology from Sewanee and a MS in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. Emily is active in the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2019, and attended Harvard Business School Executive Education Series: Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management in 2019.

Emily and her husband are the parents of three very kind young adults and has a perfectly wonderful grandbaby.

CEO, Georgia Aquarium

Dr. Brian Davis is Georgia Aquarium’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Davis brings with him more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles within zoological and educational institutions, having previously held positions at Georgia Aquarium on two separate occasions. Dr. Davis first joined the Georgia Aquarium team prior to its founding in 2003, as the Director of Education, later served as the Aquarium’s Vice President of Education and then most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations.

Prior to Dr. Davis’s most recent role at Georgia Aquarium, he served as President and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, where he oversaw the enhancement of the Aquarium’s footprint. Dr. Davis has also served in both teaching and administrative roles in Cobb County’s school system, and spent time developing education programs at both New York Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta.

Dr. Davis is Chairman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and currently serves on the Georgia Tourism Board – appointed by Governor Kemp, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) Executive Board and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Committee for a Better Atlanta Board of Directors.

Dr. Davis has authored and co-authored papers related to science education, aquariums, and other science related topics. He has served as an Adjunct Professor for Schools of Education at Georgia State University and Mercer University. He has served on the Boards of Directors for Centennial Place Elementary School, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Open Door Shelter, and Norwalk ACTS. Dr. Davis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Davis has fond memories of enjoying family vacations at the shore, where his lifelong passion for the ocean was ignited. Dr. Davis graduated from Rutgers University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, later earning both a Masters of Education and his Ph.D. in Secondary Science Education at Georgia State University.

CEO, Sheltering Arms

Blythe Keeler Robinson is an equity advocate and an innovative and passionate servant leader with nearly 25 years of non-profit management experience. She is a nationally recognized leader in early education and two-generation approaches to educational success and economic security.

Robinson is the President and CEO of Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Centers in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1888, Sheltering Arms is one of Georgia’s oldest and most respected nonprofits serving nearly 2,300 children daily, ages six weeks to five years old, and their families in 13 centers across metro Atlanta. Her prior roles include Senior Vice President & Chief Programs Officer at the Early Learning Coalition of Miami‐Dade/Monroe, Florida and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Initiatives at Reading Is Fundamental.

She is a 2022 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, and serves on the International Women’s Forum - Georgia Chapter Board, the National Black Child Development Institute Board, the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southeast Governing Board, the Atlanta Speech School Advisory Board, and the PAACT (Promising All Atlanta Children Thrive) Founding Advisory Board.

Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics with a certificate in African American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a juris doctor from The Georgetown University Law Center.