Thank you to all who attended!
Connecting the Dots and Celebrating Success in Workforce Development
Thank you for attending our 2nd Annual CareerRise Workforce Excellence Summit! Together, we celebrated the accomplishments of our workforce development partners and connect workforce, funder, and industry partners from across the Metro Atlanta region to advance economic mobility and drive regional prosperity. The event was a great success and your presence was the biggest highlight.
Congratulations to our 2023 Workforce Excellence Award Winners!
We celebrate the remarkable organizations and companies for your outstanding achievements, innovation, and dedication to help shape the future of workforce. You inspire us all to strive for excellence and continue making a positive impact in workforce development.
The Cinda Herndon-King Award for Excellence in Workforce Partnerships
The Cinda Herndon-King Award for Excellence in Workforce Partnerships award reflects the excellence of Cinda’s work and honors an organization that has demonstrated innovation in creating collaborative, employer-driven career training programs in our metro Atlanta region. The organization we honor creates family-sustaining wage opportunities and career pathways, and champions economic mobility.
2023 WINNER: CobbWorks, Inc./WorkSource Cobb’s PowerUp! Pre-Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
WorkSource Cobb’s PowerUp! Program partnered with the Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors Association (PHCCA), providing 10 opportunity youth ages (18-24) with 16 weeks of work experience with licensed plumbers, industry recognized credentials and $14 an hour for 40 hours weekly. In February 2023, PowerUp! graduated 10 pre-apprentices, with each of them landing in full apprenticeships with a pay raise ($18-$20hr) and full benefits.
The Doug Hooker Award for Excellence in Workforce Equity
The Doug Hooker Award for Equity in Workforce recognizes businesses, organizations and partnerships bringing together employers, education and workforce development entities, and economic development organizations as a key economic driver to achieve a more equitable workforce.
2023 WINNER: Georgia Justice Project – Occupational Licensing Legislative Task Force Led by Emmy Williams
Emmy Williams’ expertise allowed Georgia Justice Project to convene a Task Force in the summer of 2022 with Senator Brian Strickland to engage government, industry, and advocacy stakeholders about possible reforms in Georgia. CareerRise, Georgia Chamber, Metro Atlanta Chamber and other industry leaders spoke at Task Force meetings which helped build support for policy change.
The Mike Kenig Award for Excellence in Quality Careers
The Mike Kenig Award for Excellence in Quality Careers recognizes high performing businesses that have risen to workforce challenges by implementing innovative practices and strategies in support of their employees to create high quality jobs and workplaces. The employers recognized with this award have a track record of strong engagement and interest supporting workforce initiatives through partnerships, career pathways, and professional development.
2023 SMALL BUSINESS WINNER: Kids in Motion Academy
Kids in Motion Academy (KIMA) is an early childhood learning center provider serving Dekalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale Counties growing to four different locations in 7 years. During the Covid pandemic, daycare providers closed down across the state. KIMA disrupted the status quo by connecting with DECAL and other state agencies to create a healthy and safe space for children. This allowed their parents to have a safe and healthy place for their children to be cared for while they went to their essential workplaces. Additionally, KIMA was selected as a 2022 Best Child Care Centers of Gwinnett.
The Mike Kenig Award for Excellence in Quality Careers
The Mike Kenig Award for Excellence in Quality Careers recognizes high performing businesses that have risen to workforce challenges by implementing innovative practices and strategies in support of their employees to create high quality jobs and workplaces. The employers recognized with this award have a track record of strong engagement and interest supporting workforce initiatives through partnerships, career pathways, and professional development.
2023 MID-LARGE BUSINESS WINNER: BlackRock Innovation Hub
Since announcing an expansion of Blackrock into Atlanta in 2019, Blackrock has been a strong committed partner in workplace equity. Through the leadership of Chanel Frazier and a dedicated team of professionals, Blackrock’s Innovation Hub continues to expand and lead a diversified portfolio of global investments led and supported by Atlanta professionals to care about and act on positive social impact. BlackRock’s Innovation Hub has embraced an entrepreneurial mindset and hire so their employees reflect the community they work and live in. They are relentlessly focused on innovation and challenging the status quo, and the fast-paced, highly collaborative nature of the Hub reflects that.
Keynote Speaker
The Power of Connection
President and CEO of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Amanda Cage is the president and CEO of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Amanda joined the National Fund in March 2020, bringing more than 25 years of federal workforce system, grantmaking, and organized labor experience to the organization. Throughout her career, Amanda has focused on ensuring economic inclusion and stability for workers and their families. Most recently, she served as the chief program officer at the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. There she managed a $70 million portfolio of public and private funding and a network of over 50 agencies for the country’s second largest workforce system. Before that, Amanda served as director of human capital strategy for the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, where she led a citywide effort to increase Chicago’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based global economy. For five years, she led the workforce development portfolio at the McCormick Foundation, and she was the 2004 J. Ira & Nicki Harris Foundation Fellow at the Chicago Community Trust. Amanda started her career as a labor organizer working for Jobs with Justice and the Service Employees International Union and was a Trade Union Program Fellow at Harvard Law School. She is an Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program 2017-2018 Job Quality Fellow and a 2019 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago.
Linking Workforce Development and Economic Mobility
Panel Discussion
Treasurer - Director of Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board at the Atlanta Regional Commission
Rob LeBeau is the Manager of the Workforce Solutions Group at the Atlanta Regional Commission. In this role, he also serves as the Director of the Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board (ARWDB). Rob oversees WorkSource Atlanta Regional which provides programs and services for dislocated workers, unemployed adults & youth, and businesses with employment needs. ARWDB serves residents and businesses in a 7-county area including Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale Counties.
From 2000 to 2015, Rob worked in the Land Use, Government Services, and Community Development Divisions at ARC. In roles ranging from Principal Planner to Section Manager, Rob was involved in a variety of technical and management functions related to planning, economic competitiveness, and leadership development for the 10-county Atlanta Region. His responsibilities included overseeing the Regional Leadership Institute and LINK, the Community Planning Academy, the Community Choices assistance program, the Atlanta Regional Economic Competitiveness Strategy, regional arts, and culture planning, and the Livable Centers Initiative.
Prior to joining ARC in 2000, Rob worked for ten years in local government and as a consultant focusing on comprehensive planning, zoning, and neighborhood redevelopment. Rob has a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Planning from the University of Central Florida and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Rob’s volunteer activities include representing Georgia as Vice President on the Southeastern Employment and Training Association Board, previously serving as Vice President for Programs and District 3 Director for the Georgia Planning Association, and was the local programs co-chair for the American Planning Association national planning conference in 2014. Rob was on the Board of Trustees for Cliff Valley School for six years and volunteers with his daughter at Furkids, Georgia’s largest no-kill cat adoption center.
Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs of Atlanta Technical College
An educator for almost 30 years, Caroline Angelo joined Atlanta Technical College in August of 2017 as the Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. In this role she oversees the four academic divisions, the division of adult education, institutional effectiveness, and student support services.
Ms. Angelo began her career as an English and reading instructor at Athens Technical College. As a faculty member, she saw a need to assist students working in technical professions with the challenge of attending classes while working long hours and multiple shifts. Her love of advising students and helping them reach their goals led her to positions as Executive Director of Registration, Records, and Advising, Director of Curriculum, and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the College’s main campus and three off-campus instructional sites, serving 11 counties in north Georgia.
During her time at Atlanta Technical College, Ms. Angelo has successfully guided the College though its 10-year reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, assisted with the development of the College’s strategic plan and goals, and increased the College’s number of business and industry partnerships, including the addition of apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare, computer science, and industrial programs. She has also overseen the development and implementation of the Atlanta Technical College Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep), one of the State of Georgia’s first Dual Achievement high school diploma completion programs. She serves on the board of directors for the Atlanta College and Career Academy and the Clayton County CTAE Business/Industry and Community Leaders Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Leadership Clayton’s Class of 2022 and serves as an ex officio member of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Ms. Angelo is a 4th generation graduate of the University of Georgia (UGA).
Vice President of Talent Management and DEI at Comcast
Managing Director of Talent Development at OneTen
Most people enter the workforce hoping to find a job that utilizes their strengths. A smaller number of people begin their careers with the goal of helping people and communities to better themselves. A select few are able to do both. Stewart Williams is one of those few. Having spent over thirty years in executive leadership of nonprofits, Stewart Williams has a proven record of leading dynamic teams, inspiring and managing volunteers, and developing sustainable organizational strategies.
Stewart is the founding partner and principal consultant of 3rd Sector Solutions LLC, bringing to the team senior executive experience which includes operations management, program development, program evaluation, strategic planning, financial management, public/private partnerships, fundraising, and volunteer management, as well as human resources and talent management.
Stewart is a Regional Director for OneTen, a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are collaborating together to hire, promote, and advance one million Black individuals who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining careers over the next 10 years. He is responsible for pioneering market strategies across the geographical regions of Atlanta in the Southeast and Washington, D.C., Delaware-Maryland-Virginia, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Boston in the Northeast — building relationships, serving as a trusted partner, and representing the organization and its values. As a key leader in the organization, he is cultivating a thriving ecosystem of partnerships that bring together employer-led demand and career-ready talent to build an active marketplace of opportunity, collaboration, and support.
From 2018 to early 2022, Stewart served as the Vice President of Operations of The Warrior Alliance, which helps veterans transition back into civilian life. His leadership has led to a 150% increase in veterans served by the organization, as he oversees a budget of $2 million dollars and works to create partnerships within the community.
Prior to serving with The Warrior Alliance, Stewart served as an Executive Director of The Mission Continues, coaching and leading veterans and community members to impact their communities.
Stewart also brings to our team many years of experience in executive leadership with various branches of community organizations. He served as the Vice President of Operations at the Boys & Girls Club of metropolitan Atlanta, which serves over 5,000 youth daily, overseeing over 100 employees and a budget of $16 million.
Previously, he worked with the YMCA, having served as Executive Director for two branches, and finally taking on a role as President and CEO for the Historic Butler Street YMCA, overseeing strategic and day-to-day operations of a $2.3 million multi-branch association within the metropolitan Atlanta area.
Executive Director of Learn4Life
Ken is the Executive Director of Learn4Life, the metro Atlanta education partnership. Previously Ken served in several roles at Fulton County Schools including Superintendent and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. Ken arrived from Los Angeles where he served as the Chief Operations Officer for Green Dot Public Schools. Green Dot Public Schools is an award winning charter management organization serving over 10,000 students in Los Angeles and New York. He was also a White House Fellow and served as a senior policy consultant to the US Secretary of Education. As a manager at Deloitte Consulting, he led process redesign, strategic planning, and financial management projects for Fortune 500 companies. Ken serves on several boards in metro Atlanta including Junior Achievement, the Atlanta-Fulton County Library Foundation, the Get Georgia Reading Cabinet and is an alumni of the Aspen-Pahara Fellowship and Leadership Atlanta. Ken received his BA in Economics from the University of Michigan, his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate in Education Leadership from Georgia State University. Outside of work, Ken enjoys biking on the Beltline, cheering on Michigan athletics, and serving as a proud parent to his three Atlanta Public Schools students. Ken is currently a candidate for the Atlanta Board of Education, District 3 seat.
Connecting Job Quality and Good Jobs
Panel Discussion
Industry Partnerships Director
Nate Futrell graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor’s of Social Work and a concentration in public child welfare. While living in Cincinnati for 10 years, Nate’s professional experience included working with opportunity youth, promoting health education and access for senior citizens, and leading teams in healthcare workforce management. Nate served as the Workforce Initiatives Manager for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, leading initiatives to develop sector strategies and build synergistic relationships between the K-12 education system and the business community. As CareerRise’s Industry Partnerships Director, Nate oversees the Industry Partnerships team’s work in facilitating Metro Atlanta’s workforce ecosystem alignment, stakeholder engagement, and equitable access to high-quality jobs for the region’s residents.
“In another life, I was the owner, head chef, and mixologist of a really cool restaurant.”
Senior Vice President, Executive Director of WorkSource Atlanta at Invest Atlanta
Amy Lancaster-King is Executive Director for WorkSource Atlanta – the workforce arm for the City of Atlanta. Amy is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, improving participant and employer experience, and implementing process improvement strategies.
Prior to joining WorkSource Atlanta, Amy was Sr. Director of Workforce Development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC). In this role, she led all workforce efforts for the Chamber, including authoring key research on the supply and demand of talent, lobbying to advance thoughtful and fair workforce policies at the state Capitol, leading the Opportunity ATL initiative, and building community partnerships to increase student, jobseeker, and employer outcomes. Before leading MAC’s workforce development efforts, she led MAC’s internship initiative and launched InternNavigator.com. She has worked with universities and regional partners to increase internship and co-op opportunities by connecting area colleges and universities with businesses, developing resources to help businesses connect with local talent sources, conducting events to bring businesses and students together, and raising awareness about the benefits of internships. Prior to MAC, Amy owned a mortgage company in Marietta, Georgia, originating and processing mortgage loans, and training loan officers and real estate agents.
A relentless advocate for racial equity and inclusion, Amy was an Outstanding Voice honoree in the 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle Diversity and Inclusion Awards and is very active in the education and workforce community. Amy is Chair of the Metro Atlanta Exchange for Workforce Solutions and past president of the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers. She has also served on the boards WorkSource Atlanta, Atlanta College, Career Academy, and Atlanta CareerRise.
She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Management. Amy is a native of Cobb County and lives in Smyrna with her husband Phil, daughter Isabel and their dog Toby.
Goodness Solutions Manager for Benevity
Zack is Manager, Goodness Solutions for Benevity, a certified B Corp. Benevity provides software solutions to businesses to support employee giving and volunteering, corporate granting, and much more. Prior to that, Zack served as a consultant supporting the CDC with their COVID-19 response.
Zack’s personal mission is “Building Better Businesses for a Better South.” In particular, he’s passionate about building connections between people striving to create a better Georgia.
Zack serves on the boards of B Local Georgia and History Cherokee. Born and raised in Cherokee County, Zack has a history degree from Kennesaw State and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
Aligning Equity Goals to Cultivate Strong Communities
Panel Discussion
CareerRise President & CEO
With a Kennesaw State University public and social services degree fresh in hand, a very green John Helton began his career as a DFCS child protective services investigator, ultimately learning the ins and outs of human services by serving in progressive roles managing childcare, volunteer, and community development programs before being appointed deputy director of Cobb County Department of Family and Children Services. Discovering his passion for helping create opportunities for people, John then spent 19 years as the founding president and CEO of CobbWorks, Inc. and WorkSource Cobb, the local workforce development board, until assuming leadership of CareerRise, Inc. in June 2019. John has served on boards of numerous workforce development and civic organizations at the local, state, and national levels including president of the Southeastern Employment & Training Association (SETA). John currently serves as chair of the Metro Atlanta eXchange (MAX) for Workforce Solutions as well as president of his neighborhood association in the historic Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta. John is an avid traveler, but when home, he enjoys cooking a good meal for family and friends and caretaking his often neurotic and frequently aggressive rescue poodle, Duncan.
“In another life, I’m pretty sure I was a creative writer of anything other than policy memos.”
President and CEO of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Amanda Cage is the president and CEO of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Amanda joined the National Fund in March 2020, bringing more than 25 years of federal workforce system, grantmaking, and organized labor experience to the organization. Throughout her career, Amanda has focused on ensuring economic inclusion and stability for workers and their families. Most recently, she served as the chief program officer at the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. There she managed a $70 million portfolio of public and private funding and a network of over 50 agencies for the country’s second largest workforce system. Before that, Amanda served as director of human capital strategy for the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, where she led a citywide effort to increase Chicago’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based global economy. For five years, she led the workforce development portfolio at the McCormick Foundation, and she was the 2004 J. Ira & Nicki Harris Foundation Fellow at the Chicago Community Trust. Amanda started her career as a labor organizer working for Jobs with Justice and the Service Employees International Union and was a Trade Union Program Fellow at Harvard Law School. She is an Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program 2017-2018 Job Quality Fellow and a 2019 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago.
Chief Engagement Officer at Inclusivv
Sandy Mollett (she/her) is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) and a Certified Diversity Sourcing Professional (CDSP). She serves as Chief Engagement Officer at Inclusivv. Inclusivv is a technology platform that brings people together for courageous conversations. Our conversation design process combines thorough research, psychology and the power of storytelling and follows a simple but powerful framework for hosting small group conversations: three big questions, one voice at a time, and equal time to share.
She is the Founder & CEO of Equal Footing LLC – a certified LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) and advocates for safe, diverse and inclusive communities and work environments where EVERYONE can thrive, grow and be themselves. Sandy previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at True Diversity working exclusively with companies that are authentically invested in creating inclusive workplaces and transforming the way those companies attract, engage, and hire diverse talent. Sandy also served as Senior Vice President, Chief Operations and Controls Officer for First Data’s (now Fiserv). She was instrumental in developing and sponsoring their corporate Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) — with a goal of empowering our employees, creating a culture of inclusion and belonging.
She is currently a member of the City of Atlanta (Mayor Andre Dickens’) LGBTQ Advisory Board. Sandy also serves on the Georgia Equality Board of Directors and Out Front Theater Board of Directors. She previously served as President of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance.
Sandy lives in Decatur with her wife and furbaby, Luke Skywalker.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Philip Polk, an executive with more than 22 years of marketing leadership experience, serves as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lead at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Previously, Phil served as the Chief Diversity Officer for Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Prior to his D&I roles, Phil served in a variety of marketing leadership roles of increasing responsibility for Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, Walt Disney World Parks & an extensive marketing background in brand management, customer acquisition and retention, direct response marketing and advertising.
Phil earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in business administration from Clark Atlanta University.
Honoring Atlanta’s Excellence
Speaker
Chief of Staff to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
Regarded as a national leader in public administration, Odie Donald II serves as Chief of Staff to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. As Chief of Staff, Odie provides advice and guidance to the mayor on legislative and policy issues and serves as liaison to the public and private sectors in fostering partnerships and the development of revenue generating initiatives. The Office of the Chief of Staff also provides supervision and policy direction over External Affairs, Constituent Services, Communications, Human Services, all festivals/special events and special projects.
Prior to joining the Dickens’ administration, Donald served as Administrator for the consolidated government of Augusta – Richmond County. Under Donald’s leadership Augusta improved bond ratings at the Augusta Municipal Airport (to BBB), received the certificate of excellence for financial reporting (GFOA), and administered more than $100 million allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aimed at mitigating the impacts of the global public health emergency. He is also credited with delivering key economic development initiatives including streamlining reviews of commercial and residential plans and delivering Augusta’s most diverse special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) program (passed by the public at 72%). During his tenure, Donald also launched key transparency and diversity initiatives highlighted by a pilot body camera program, a $15 an hour minimum wage for city employees, a countywide non-discrimination ordinance, and delivery of the first comprehensive blight ordinance in Augusta’s history.
Donald also has the distinction of serving as the first City Manager for Georgia’s fifth-largest city, the City of South Fulton. Under Donald’s leadership, South Fulton eliminated a $25 million deficit, doubled revenues, established the first positive fund balance (FY2021 $45 million) in the city’s history, streamlined service delivery, and set the strategic path for the city through robust land use, transportation, quality of life and the city’s first strategic plan.
Donald is also an active civic leader serving as President of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators- Metro Atlanta Chapter, and a member of the Georgia Forward Board of Directors. Donald is a proud graduate of Georgia State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2003 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2012. He has been recognized as one of the southeast United States’ most prominent young professionals, being named 40 Under 40 by Georgia Trend magazine in 2015, as well as a 2018 YoungGov 40 honoree by Young Government Leaders and the inaugural 40 under 40 class of honorees for Georgia State University in 2018 – joining a host of innovators in business, government, politics, and education. Donald also received the John F. Wall award from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in 2018 and has been recognized as a regional influencer by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
The Doug Hooker Award for Excellence in Workforce Equity
Award Presenters
Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility, Global Community Impact at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Geneva is the Senior Manager of Corporate Responsibility, Global Community Impact for IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. She manages global community impact efforts for more than 6,000 hotels and corporate offices, including workforce development, philanthropic giving, volunteerism, waste diversion, anti-human trafficking, and disaster relief initiatives of the company. Currently, she sits on the board of Atlanta CareerRise, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Advisory Committee, the Global Business Travel Association’s Sustainability and Responsibility Committee, the Atlanta Technical College School of Hospitality Advisory Board, and the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta Board. She is also a member of the Sustainability Leaders Forum and the Disaster Action Alliance.
Prior to working at IHG, Geneva worked at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity leading corporate partnerships, volunteer programs, and sponsorship fundraising. Previous to that, she worked in Quito, Ecuador as the Director of Volunteer Programs at The Center for the Working Girl, an organization that educates and empowers girls that live in extreme poverty. Geneva is a founding board member of Ecuador Children’s Hope Organization, a US-based non-profit that supports programs aiding working children on the streets of Ecuador, and served on the board of Girls, Inc. of Greater Atlanta. She is also a member of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2012, the Urban Land Institute’s Center for Leadership class of 2016, a member of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s Destiny Fund, and a graduate of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials Institute for Leadership program. Geneva is an Atlanta native and attended Georgetown University where she studied languages and International Development.
Vice President, Mid-South Region at JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy
Suganthi Simon is the Vice President for the Mid-South Region at JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy. Prior to JPMorgan Chase, she was the Westside Senior Program Officer for The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation where she worked with residents and partners to leverage resources and programs that positively develop people and place in Atlanta’s Historic Westside Neighborhoods. Suganthi led the implementation of collaborative strategies in health, economic inclusion, workforce development, affordable housing, and civic empowerment and engagement. Suganthi has also worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in various roles during her 14-year career with a focus on environmental evaluation, green building, sustainable communities and development, and environmental justice. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Wellesley College and received her master’s degree in Industrial Environmental Management from Yale University.
The Mike Kenig Award for Excellence in Quality Careers
Award Presenters
Workforce Development Advocate and Reformer
Prior to his retirement at the end of 2021, Mr. Kenig was the Vice Chairman of Holder Construction Company. Founded in 1960, Holder is a national commercial construction services firm that has consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top 50 contractors.
Mr. Kenig was a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Leaders United (BLU) for Workforce Partnerships and as a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Educated Workforce Council, led a local affiliate, GeorgiaBLU. BLU is a group within the National Skills Coalition comprised of employers from a range of industries across the nation who are concerned about our nation’s skills gap. BLU provides a common platform from which these diverse business leaders can jointly communicate to national policymakers, the press, and the American public about effective industry-based strategies.
Mr.Kenig served on the leadership of the Georgia HDCI (High Demand Career Initiative) Construction Industry Task Force. Additionally, he served on the Advisory Council of TradeFive (formerly Go Build Georgia), a campaign designed to educate young people on the value of learning a trade, dispel their misconceptions about the skilled trade industry and inspire them to consider building a career as a skilled tradesman.
Furthermore, Mr. Kenig has served in a leadership position in several components of the regional workforce development system including: the GaDOE CTAE Advisory Committee, Atlanta College & Career Academy, GaDOE School Counselors Advisory Council, CareerRise’s Leadership Council, WorkSource Atlanta (Local Workforce Investment Board), and NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), the Associated General Contractors of GA. Mr.Kenig was a member of several Construction Industry Owners groups and has presented to numerous industry groups.
Mr. Kenig graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Construction Engineering and Management, and we were so very fortunate to have him on the CareerRise leadership council and board.
Vice Chair - President at Holder Construction
Beth Lowry is the President of Holder Construction Company. Beth started her career with Holder in 1994 as an intern and joined Holder full-time in 1995 upon graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. Holder Construction is a $4.5 billion construction services firm based in Atlanta, Georgia since 1960. Beth is the first female in Holder’s history to serve as President.
In her current role, Beth provides executive leadership over Holder’s business functions that support Holder’s construction operations. Beth also provides vision and strategy for Holder’s corporate responsibility, community engagement, and philanthropy. Beth has served on Holder’s senior leadership team since 2006.
Beth is active in the Atlanta community serving on several current and past civic and trade association boards. She’s a United Way of Greater Atlanta Ivan Allen Circle member and active member of the Tocqueville Society. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, Metro Chamber of Atlanta Board of Directors, Kennesaw State University Foundation Trustee, and the chair for the KSU College of Architecture and Construction Management Executive Leadership Council. She serves on the several not-for-profit boards including CareerRise, Associated General Contractors of America Georgia Chapter, and the Latin American Association.
She has a deep passion for advancing women of all ages across all industries. She serves on several community initiatives focused on economic mobility, training, and safe working environments for the greater construction workforce. In 2022, she created the Lowry Family Scholarship at Kennesaw State University providing an endowed scholarship for underrepresented freshman pursuing a degree in construction management.
Beth has two children Sam 17 and Lilly 15 who attend Holy Innocents Episcopal School. Beth grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and has called Atlanta home for the last 28 years.
The Cinda Herndon-King Award for Excellence in Workforce Partnerships
Award Presenters
Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity Advocate
Cinda Herndon-King, founded and led CareerRise from its inception in 2011 until her retirement in 2019. In partnership with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and local funders, Dr. Herndon-King began supporting and cultivating industry partnerships in the metro Atlanta region. She helped metro Atlanta workforce practitioners understand how these partnerships could benefit the region, break down silos, increase access to opportunity for local workers and resolve employer workforce needs. During her tenure, CareerRise made investments in healthcare, maintenance, manufacturing, construction, transportation, distribution and logistics, hospitality, and information technology; enrolling nearly 800 individuals resulting in over 2,000 industry recognized credentials. She was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for the network that CareerRise now refers to as its Industry Partnership Network. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, CareerRise has become a trusted and critical partner to all workforce development practitioners in the metro Atlanta region. Due, in part, to the trust that was nurtured over the years, in 2019 Dr. Herndon-King successfully rallied local support-and our workforce areas-and received an award for nearly $900,000 over three years from the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. This award made it possible for CareerRise to lead the Systems Change for Economic Mobility project in partnership with WorkSource Metro Atlanta, the five local workforce development boards. Dr. Herndon-King has had 30 years of experience working in public-private partnerships in technology-based economic development and workforce development and education, with a particular focus on forming and managing partnerships with employers. She is an alumna of Clemson University, earned a PhD at the University of Tennessee Oak Ridge in biochemistry and completed her postdoctoral study at Penn State University.
Senior Consultant at Coxe Curry & Associates
Ann Wilson Cramer is a senior consultant with Coxe Curry & Associates. In this role, she provides strategic consultation to nonprofit clients to strengthen their capacity in the critical areas of board development, volunteer engagement, corporate relations, and fundraising. She will also be available to the business community to provide guidance on the issues of corporate citizenship and social responsibility. In 2020, Ann received the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s first Corporate Social Responsibility Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prior to joining Coxe Curry, Ann served as director for IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for the Americas. In that position, she was a member of the senior management staff overseeing the company’s approach to corporate citizenship, strategic philanthropy, and overall social responsibility.
Ann serves on numerous local nonprofit boards, including the Alliance Theatre Company, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, WorkSource Atlanta, Woodruff Arts Center, Council on Foundations, Public Broadcasting Atlanta, and currently chairs the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, and served as chair of the Search Committee for the Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Educated Workforce Committee. Nationally, Ann has chaired the Council on Foundations Public Policy and Corporate Committees, the Conference Board’s Business Education Council, the Executive Committee of both the U.S. Chamber’s Business Civic Leadership Center, and the Institute for a Competitive Workforce and the United Way of America’s National Corporate Leaders Council. In 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented her with its first Business Civic Leadership Achievement Award.
The Women’s College Coalition honored Ann and Marian Wright Edelman with the first WCC Women Creating Change Award, and Ann was one of five Georgia women to receive the first STEM Gems recognition. Recently, Ann was recognized with Ann Curry and Ann Stallard as the YWCA Women of Achievement, and with the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Women Who Mean Business and listed among Georgia Trend’s 30 Years of Influence, received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service at Clayton State University and was honored with the inaugural ARC Harry West Visionary Leadership Award, the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Leadership Award and Voices for Georgia’s Children Big Voice. She has received the prestigious Dan Sweat Award from Central Atlanta Progress, Public Broadcasting Atlanta’s Sullivan Award, and was honored with The United Way of Greater Atlanta Women’s Leadership Award. She has participated in Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, Regional Leadership Institute, is a member of Outstanding Atlanta, and is past president of the Junior League of Atlanta. Recently, she received the Woodruff Arts Center “Arts in Education” honor and the Communities In Schools Georgia “Lifetime Friend to Education” award.
Ann is a graduate of Salem College with a degree in mathematics. In 1991, she received Salem College’s Alumnae Leadership Award. Ann and her husband, Jeff, are long-time residents of Inman Park and are active members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. They are the proud parents of two adult children.
Leveraging Connections for Excellence
Closing Remarks
Board Chair - President & CEO at United Way of Greater Atlanta
Milton J. Little, Jr. became the first African-American president of United Way of Greater Atlanta, the second-largest in the national system, in July 2007. Altogether, Little has helped raise more than a billion dollars for local community needs and priorities. Before joining United Way, he served as chief operating officer and interim president and CEO of the National Urban League. He graduated magna cum laude from Morehouse College with a B.A. in sociology and earned an M.A. in urban sociology and social policy from Columbia University.
In March of 2020, Little led the launch – in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta – of the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. To date, the Fund has raised more than $30 million and provided 320 nonprofits across Greater Atlanta with resources they need to help the most vulnerable populations affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
He is a member of many boards and advisory committees. Notable among them are the Center for Assessment and Policy Development, past chair of the Southern Education Foundation, and past vice-chair of the board of directors for Ways to Work. He is a member of the Atlanta Mayoral Board of Service, the Commerce Club Operating Board, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Leadership Atlanta Class of 2010, and the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He also serves on the Junior League of Atlanta Community Advisory Board, University of Georgia Advisory Board for the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Atlanta Speech School Board of Advisors, Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees, Central Atlanta Progress, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, Georgia’s Older Adults Cabinet, Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet, Hope Atlanta Advisory Council, Get Georgia Ready Reading Cabinet and Susan G. Komen of Greater Atlanta. He was selected to serve on Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ 2018 Transition Team and, most recently, he was invited and appointed to serve on the Roundtable on Population Health Improvement for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Little is a native New Yorker and has two sons: Milton and Taylor, and three grandchildren: Joi, Miles, and Langston.