Leadership MAX is a competitively selected, cohort-based leadership development program designed especially for developing leaders in the workforce development field.
OUR VISION
Through Leadership MAX, we aim to bring emerging and experienced leaders together to learn, collaborate, and drive lasting impact to create the region’s next generation of workforce leaders.
OUR APPROACH
Powered by our MAX Board of Directors, Leadership MAX features a combination of retreat-style, full day, field trip, and service-learning opportunities over the course of a year.
PROGRAM TO DATE
Leadership MAX was kicked off with the inaugural Class of 2025 in December 2024. The 2025 program was chaired by John Helton, founder and principal, Bright Idea Collab, LLC – who as MAX board past chair envisioned this leadership development program for workforce developers – and Breezy Straton, interim president, Elevate Douglas. The Class of 2025 graduated during the MAX Annual Meeting in December 2025 at which time the incoming Class of 2026 was also announced. The 2026 program will be chaired by Jenny Taylor, chief mission officer and vice president, Goodwill of North Georgia, and Kristin Laarhoven, assistant commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia.
INAUGURAL 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, WorkSource Atlanta Regional
- Chanell Davis, City of Atlanta
- Carla DeBose, Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)
- Tiffany “Coach Tip” Francis, Grady Health System
- Nate Futrell, Independent Electrical Contractors, Atlanta/Georgia Chapters
- Sergio Galeano, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Brenda Johnson, The Collaborative Training Company
- Jason Martin, ThrivalED
- 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 meet the graduates of the inaugural Leadership MAX Class of 2025.
CLASS OF 2026
- Mariska Angall, Fulton County Government, Select Fulton, WorkSource Fulton
- Sheri Blight, CareerRise
- Jumoke DeLoach, Beyond Basic Consulting
- Nickell Durham, Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency
- Tomica Felton, Atlanta Committee for Progress
- April Fresh, Wellspring Living
- Megan Heaphy
- LaDonna Huggins, WorkSource Cobb, CobbWorks
- Petra Jeffrey, Year Up United
- Dr. Robert Joseph, Team MindShift
- Nate Marsh, MUST Ministries
- Angela Marshall, Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison
- Nicole McQueen, Technical College System of Georgia, Office of Workforce Development
- Kashara Moorman, Talent Circuit Strategy
- Rudi Pangad, Decide DeKalb Development Authority
- Trey Powers, Inspiritus
- Twana Roots, Cobb Chamber of Commerce
- Antonio Sherrell, Atlanta Police Foundation, At-Promise Centers
- Natalie Williams, The Core Method LLC
- Sooraya Williams, YWCA Greater Atlanta
Click here to meet the Leadership MAX Class of 2026.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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
PROGRAM SPONSOR
Goodwill of North Georgia has a simple mission: we put people to work. At career centers throughout North nal résumé and cover letter, provides access to employment opportunities, delivers hands-on skill training, and more.
ABOUT LEADERSHIP MAX
Leadership MAX provides an exciting opportunity for workforce developers to grow within the workforce development community and develop into a community of peer leaders who will solve problems together in the years to come. Designed especially for developing leaders in the workforce development field, this cohort-based leadership development program is as an extension and evolution of our commitment to provide high-quality professional development and network-building opportunities for our members. Click here to learn more.