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A primary objective of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is to help foster leadership for this community now and for the future. With this new initiative we hope to raise the profile of young leaders in the community that are helping develop a better Athens. We will recognize 10 community leaders under the age of 40. We accepted community nominations for those young people who lead by example and collaboratively seek to implement a bright vision for the community.
2023 Gamechangers

Danielle Bonanno - Community Engagement Specialist with Acceptance Recovery Center, Inc. & President of Athens PRIDE

Justin Bray
Executive Director of Books for Keeps

Luke Dorman - Senior Project Manager at at DPR Construction

Cameron Jay Harrelson - Media Consultant at Cox Media Group, Host at Classic City Crime Podcast, & President Emeritus of Athens PRIDE

Alesia Mitchell - Branch Manager at South State Bank, Women Who Work Committee Chair, & CoFounder of Im.P.A.C.T for Advancement

Cody Nichelson - Chief of Staff at Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group & President of the Board for Athens Area Habitat

Lora Smothers -
Founder & Director of Joy Village

TJ Stephens -
Owner of Athens Trolley Tours & Stephens Limousine Service

Katy Tedford -
District Translator with Clarke County School District

Tommy Valentine -
Executive Director of Historic Athens
2022 Gamechangers

Zander Mason
Raymond James

Laura McCoy
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems

Alex Borges
Clarke County School District

Lawrence Harris
Clarke County School District

Katie Williams
Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

Elisa Zarate
Athens-Clarke County Courts

Johnelle Simpson II
Fortson, Bently & Griffin

Deanne Rosso
Elevate Wealth Advisory

John Morris
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems

Monique Sanders
Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc.