As an extension and evolution of our commitment to provide high-quality professional development and network-building opportunities for our members, MAX offers a competitively selected, cohort-based leadership development program known as Leadership MAX (L-MAX).
L-MAX is a leadership development program designed especially for developing leaders in the workforce development field. L-MAX is comprised of a combination of retreat-style, full day, field trip, and service-learning opportunities over the course of a year.
2025 Leadership MAX Chairs John Helton, CEO, CareerRise, and Breezy Straton, Vice President, Elevate Douglas, excitedly announced the inaugural Leadership MAX Class of 2025, presented by Amazon, at our MAX Annual Meeting in December 2024.
Meet the Leadership MAX Class of 2025:
- Autumn Andrews, Gwinnett County Government
- Rachel Ash, Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership
- Dr. Chuck Barlow Jr., Saving Our Sons & Sisters International aka SOSSI
- Ann Burris, Georgia Department of Human Services
- Dr. Maxine Cain, STEM Atlanta Women, Inc.
- Lisa Davis, Atlanta Regional Commission
- Chanell Davis, City of Atlanta
- Carla DeBose, Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)
- Tiffany Francis, Grady Health Systems
- Nate Futrell, CareerRise
- Sergio Galeano, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Brenda Johnson, The Collaborative Training Company
- Jason Martin, ThrivalED
- Dr. Ubani Ogbonnaya, Atlanta Technical College
- Angelia O’Neal, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
- Ashlee Phillips, First Step Staffing
- Anggie Pope, City of Refuge
- Dr.Susan Simmons-Stevenson, Americans Thrive, LLC
- Jahari Soward, NPursuit Career Partners
- Paul Terlemezian, Georgia LEARNS Now, LLC
- Jordan Troutman, Newton County School System
- Michelle Vialet, WorkSource Fulton
- Joshua Williams, Georgia Piedmont Technical College
- Toya Williams, STRIVE Atlanta
- Olivia Wilson, CobbWorks Inc. / WorkSource Cobb
Click here to learn more.
PRESENTING SPONSOR OF LEADERSHIP MAX CLASS OF 2025
Amazon has long been a highly impactful partner in metro Atlanta and Georgia’s economic development landscape, accounting for an estimated 34,000 jobs in the state according to company records. Amazon, which has built a culture around solving problems, partners with communities across the nation.
SILVER SPONSOR
Goodwill of North Georgia has a simple mission: we put people to work. At career centers throughout North Georgia, Goodwill offers job-search resources, helps with writing a professional résumé and cover letter, provides access to employment opportunities, delivers hands-on skill training, and so much more.
FUTURE COHORTS
If you’re looking to grow in the workforce development community and develop into a community of peer leaders that you can continue to connect with to solve problems together in the years to come, then we encourage you to apply for a future Leadership MAX cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will MAX accept applications for the next cohort? The application round for the Leadership MAX Class of 2026 will open in August 2025.
- Who can apply for L-MAX? L-MAX is for emerging, existing, and seasoned leaders who are members of MAX.
- What will be the size and composition of the L-MAX cohort? Cohorts are comprised of approximately 25 professionals of diverse backgrounds.
- How often will the L-MAX class meet? Each L-MAX class has monthly opportunities to meet either as a class or engage in service learning.
- What kind of engagements should I expect through L-MAX? L-MAX will include retreat-style, full day, field trip, and service learning opportunities over the course of a year.
- What topics will we explore through L-MAX? Content-specific Learning Days will be held on a monthly basis. Examples of planned days include Data Day, Policy & Lawmaking Day, Resource Development Day, and Business and Employer Engagement Day.
- When will the 2026 L-MAX applicants learn about their application status? A L-MAX committee will review applications in October 2026. Chosen applicants for the 2026 cohort will be notified in November and announced at the MAX Annual Meeting in December.