32 Graduate From Leadership Sandy Springs

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Thirty-two community leaders graduated last month from their nine-month development training with Leadership Sandy Springs, a nonprofit organization that trains professionals for stronger leadership and community interface.

Preceding the organization’s 28th annual graduation held May 14 at Temple Sinai, LSS alumni convened to rekindle relationships and then joined graduates to honor special members for their contributions.

The class took members across the metro area exploring various industry sectors and engaging in discussions, listening to speakers, and exploring many aspects of leadership in the 21st century.

From nonprofit service organizations to businesses to government, class members interacted with decision makers while studying issues facing our changing community, and participated in teams to volunteer in community-building projects.

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The recognition piece was established in 2002 by the LSS Board of Directors who saw the need for acknowledging the contributions of individual alumni, building relationships between members of different class years and showcasing the diversity of leadership roles they have since taken.

Award winners are determined through a membership nomination process of graduates who completed the program five or more years ago and reviewed by past Executive Director Ellen Stein.

This year, Chris Adams (class of 2010), Marcia McCrory Ernst (class of 2000) and Joseph Nagel (class of 2009) were awarded the Carolyn Axt Leadership Sandy Springs Alumni Recognition Award for their outstanding community contributions since taking the class.

A humorous and sentimental address was given by 2015 graduate Augustus C. Brown, market president at Signature Bank of Georgia. Brown was elected by his classmates to be their speaker.

“LSS gave me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of what makes Sandy Springs so great and how I can make it even better, while allowing me to connect with other residents and professionals on an extremely personal level,” Brown said. “I took advantage of this experience with the goal of benefiting this community, and my engagement in the program ended up benefiting me so much more.”

The event wrapped up with a passing of the torch of leadership from retiring Executive Director Carolyn Axt to Jan Paul, LSS’ former director of development and community events.

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Photo 1: LSS Class of 2015 with honorary member and retiring Executive Director Carolyn Axt.
Photo 2: 2015 graduates August C. Brown (the elected class graduation speaker) and Beth Boatwright.
Photo 3: 2015 graduates Terri Cloud Eaton, Todd Williams and Josh Belinfante.
Photo credits: Leadership Sandy Springs