ALUMNI AWARDS

The Leadership Sandy Springs program has graduated scores of capable leaders. The leadership training encourages their participation as volunteers in the community and enhanced their ability to make a difference. LSS honors the continuing contributions LSS graduates are making as volunteers and to acknowledge the diversity of leadership roles they have taken. Each year, alumni will be selected from various volunteer roles in Sandy Springs. At the same time, we thank all Leadership Sandy Springs graduate who, because of his/her time and energy, has made our community a better place in which to live, work and play. We are pleased to recognize and honor the following alumni:

2011 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Mary Conner (Connie) Cannon, LSS Class of ’02, has been a Sandy Springs resident since 1981. She is an engineer by profession and worked in the engineering and planning departments of MARTA prior to her retirement. She was part of the LSS 2002 class group that initiated and implemented Volunteer for Better Sandy Springs Day, now in its ninth year. She is a dedicated LSS alum, having served in leadership roles for VBSS Day and Movies by Moonlight as well as serving on the Alumni Council. Connie is also an active member of Altrusa, a Community Action Center volunteer, and a member of Sandy Springs Christian Church where she participates in outreach activities to benefit Lake Forest Elementary School.

Lori Evers, Class of LSS ’05, graduated from North Springs High School and has been a resident of Sandy Springs for most of her adult life. Lori is a principal in the CPA firm of Evers & Fox, P.C., which is in the process of merging with the regional accounting firm of Mauldin and Jenkins. She is a Trustee of the Georgia Federal Tax Conference, a member of the Georgia Society of CPA’s Leadership Council and has served on various GSCPA and AICPA Task Forces and Committees. Lori is also a dedicated community leader, having recently completed a two-year term as President of Heritage Sandy Springs. She has also held leadership roles in the Sandy Springs Festival, the Community Foundation of North Fulton, and the Leadership Sandy Springs Board of Trustees.

2010 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Candace Apple ‘05   Candace founded the Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs in 1987. In her role as business owner, Can dace has held special events that focus on fund-raising for such organizations as the Community Action Center and ART SS. Candace has demonstrated her personal commitment to the community through many facets of volunteer work.  She was a member of the original SS Chamber of Commerce and became a founding member of the SS Business Assoc.  A previous board member of LSS, Candace is now part of the LSS Alumni Council.  In addition, she is an active member of the SS/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Peace Trails, and the ART SS Action Board.  Through LSS, Candace became involved with the Turtle Project of the SS Society as a sponsor, working with students at Riverwood High School to create the Multi Culti Turtle for their campus.  Candace recently participated in the ART SS planter project, as well as in the SS Library’s new Reading Garden, labyrinth, and Peace Pole. 

Julia Bernath ’03   Julia has lived in Sandy Springs since 1987.  She has been a member of the Fulton County Board of Education since 2000, and has served as its vice-president and president.  Julia’s school system connections include being a member and past president of the Fulton County Employees Pension Fund, as well as a board member of the Fulton Education Foundation.  Julia’s community involvement has been distinguished by her strong leadership roles in a broad range of organizations on local and state levels: appointed by the governor  and now vice-chair of Georgia Professional Standards Commission; past president of  Georgia School Boards Association; past board member and advisory council member for  Marcus Jewish Community Center; advisory council member for  Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education; steering committee for A Vision for Public Education in Georgia; volunteer coordinator for Atlanta Senior Olympics; co-chair of Erwin Zaban Leadership Development Committee; Leadership Atlanta Class of 2006; Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2003; L.E.A.D. Atlanta Mentor Program; GSBA mentor; National School Board Assoc. mentor; and board member of SS Tennis Assoc., SS Education Force, and Georgia Music Educators Assoc.

Stan Lefco ’03 Stan has had his law office in Sandy Springs since 1985.  During his presidency of the SS Bar Assoc., the organization grew from 30 members to over 200.  Stan is also a board member of the Real Estate Section of the Atlanta Bar Association, and has written articles on real estate law and other legal issues, as well as on such subjects as relationships. anti-semitism, and writing an ethical will.  Because his parents were Holocaust survivors, Stan has focused his volunteer activities on preserving information about the Holocaust.  He is currently the vice-chair of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, and helped bring the Anne Frank Exhibit to SS. In memory of his wife, Jane D. Lefco, Stan established a library fund in her name at the Anne Frank Exhibit. In memory of his parents, he set up a library fund for Holocaust books at the Weber School.  In addition, Stan has been a speaker on the Holocaust to students throughout Atlanta and has written a play about the Holocaust, based in part on his family. Additional volunteer work includes being a past board member of the Riverwood International Charter School Foundation and participating in LSS VBSS Day.  Appointed by Mayor Galambos, Stan has served on the Citizen Advisory Committee on the future of SS.

2009 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Donna Gathers (’02) saw a need for a local business organization and as a volunteer for SSRI, she conducted a market study and launched the SSBA, which recently became the SS/PCC. She later served as Executive Director for SSBA and SSRI where she led the effort to establish a Tax Allocation District for the business corridor. While the TAD did not survive the transfer of governmental authority from Fulton County to the City of Sandy Springs, it did produce approximately $1.5 million in funding which was directed to the HSS Entertainment Lawn and streetscape in the downtown district. She also was responsible for the establishment of a Roswell Road maintenance contract for trash removal and mowing and the Roswell Road holiday decorations program before we became a City. Donna has been a valuable volunteer and supporter of NSHS, particularly by the Band program, LSS, CAC, HSS and KSSNFB. Recently she served for 3 years on the Fulton County FRESH Grants board which determines which youth groups are awarded funding. Currently Donna serves on Councilman MacGinnitie’s Advisory Council, volunteers as a driver for Meals on Wheels and engages in other volunteer projects on an as needed basis.

Beverly Hogan (‘94) received her B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Univ. of Houston. She has taught Math and Sunday School and has served on many church committees. She has volunteered for the Atlanta Symphony Associates where she is a past Board member and chaired Summer Concerts. Beverly has volunteered with the Decorators’ Show House where she chaired the Tea Room and worked the ticket desk and tours. She’s volunteered for Saint Joseph’s Hospital and WINGS Auxiliary where she chaired the 1991 Ball and has volunteered for Mercy Care Services for the needy. Beverly has volunteered for HSS since 1989 – she’s been a Board Member, Festival Chair 1990, Ghostly Gathering Chair 1992, Co-Chaired Light the Lights 1999, Chaired Springs Auxiliary for 2 years. She has coordinated the Crafters at the SS Festival for several years and has been instrumental in brining that historical perspective to our community. She received Garnet Cobb Outstanding Volunteer Award. A member of The Sandy Springs Society since 1989.

Carroll Myers (’02) has lived in Sandy Springs since 1983. In 1991 she joined Altrusa International and has been an officer both at the local and district levels. She served as a catalyst and continues to provide leadership for Altrusa’s support of the Youth Enrichment Program, started by LSS and continued by Community Action Center which provides opportunities for needy youth to attend a variety of summer camp programs. With a Masters degree in Storytelling, Carroll has served as director of the Winter Storytelling Festival, worked with the KSU Tellers in the Theater and Performance Studies Department and has been President of the Southern Order of Storytellers. As an LSS alum, she has been Secretary, VP of Alumni and has served on the web site committee and on the steering committees for both VBSS Day and MBM for many years. She continues to give back to our community as a member of the Steering Committee for the Sandy Springs Civic Roundtable. A computer programmer, Carroll has shared her computer and website knowledge and experience with LSS and other organizations.

2008 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Elizabeth Kelly, LSS Class of ‘02, was instrumental in initiating VBSS Day as their team project and she continues to participate every year.  Prior to launching her own consulting firm, she had worked in non profit management for 25 years and has generously shared her expertise with Leadership Sandy Springs by serving on the Board for 6 years including President for 2 years.  Among many other volunteer roles, she is very involved with Dress for Success as Board President and “acting” Executive Director and is on the Georgia After School Investment Council where she is currently working as mentor for a young student.   She also has served as President of her homeowners association and is currently in charge of their newsletter.

Andy Meyer, LSS Class of ‘99, is a practicing real estate attorney in Sandy Springs.  Andy and his wife, Barb, live in Sandy Springs with their three children.  Andy volunteers extensively with youth at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School, The Westminster Schools, and the Northside Youth Organization. Recently he has worked with Heritage Sandy Springs, serving as a sponsor and volunteer for the Silent Auction at the SS Festival and on HSS’s Membership Committee.  This year Andy will be the honorary chair of the SS Festival.  He volunteers time with Signature Legal Care the Sandy Springs Bar Association, the Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association (GRECAA), and the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce. 

Karen Meinzen McEnerny, LSS Class of ‘03, is Councilwoman for District 6 in Sandy Springs.  Retired from a 25 year career in commercial real estate she now devotes full time to various civic activities in Sandy Springs.  She led the effort to identify and name 11 unnamed creeks in Sandy Springs working with Heritage Sandy Springs, the Sandy Springs Conservancy and Holy Spirit Preparatory School students.   As a member of the Georgia Native Plant Society she rescues native plants endangered by development.  She worked with Trees Sandy Springs in and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School on the stream project at Allen Road which received the 2007 Red Flag award of the Georgia Adopt a Stream Program.  She participates annually in VBSS Day and River Cleanups. She is a Past President of the John Ripley Forbes Big Tree Forest Preserve, Past Board Member of The Committee for Sandy Springs, Past President of her neighborhood civic association and on the Board of Chastain Park Civic Association.

2007 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Linda Bain (2002) A member of the Leadership Sandy Springs Class of 2002, Linda and her family moved to Sandy Springs in 1994 from the Washington DC area when her husband, Michael, retired from the Army Medical Corps and began his private practice. Having made many moves in the past, including to Germany, where their children, Sarah and Ben, were born, the Bains are now permanent residents of Sandy Springs.

Since her LSS graduation, Linda has been a board member of Big Trees Forest Preserve, Leadership Sandy Springs, and Keep Sandy Springs North Fulton Beautiful. A founding board member of The Sandy Springs Conservancy, Linda is currently its executive director. She has served on the Fulton County Master Park Plan Committee, the Fulton County Parks Advisory Board, the COSS Parks and Recreation Task Force and the Tree Ordinance Committee. In recognition of her extensive volunteer work, Linda was the recipient of the KSSNFB Community Light award (2002) and the Spirit of Sandy Springs award (2004).

In conjunction with the Sandy Springs Conservancy, Linda has been actively involved in the project to design, fund, and now build the Great Park and Pedestrian Bridge at Morgan Falls. Along with other community leaders, and with the city government as a partner on this project, Linda continues to work to make the riverside park a reality for Sandy Springs.

Scott McCord (1988) is a life-long resident of Atlanta. He moved to the Chastain Park area of Sandy Springs in 1956. He was a member of the second class of Leadership Sandy Spring, the LSS Class of 1988. He graduated from Marist when it was on Ivy Street and an all boys military school, and he received his business degree from Georgia State College. Scott is presently employed as a CPA.

Scott and his wife, Nancy, raised their four sons in Sandy Springs and now have thirteen grandchildren. While their sons were growing up, Scott coached football at Morgan Falls. For several years he was active in the Committee for Sandy Springs. After the city was newly formed, he was a member of the Sandy Springs Alcohol Committee. For the past five years, Scott and his wife have been leaders in the homeless project at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. Serving the homeless and working poor in our community, this project provides meals and clothing for individuals. Scott's personal involvement includes taking those in need to appropriate shelters and non-profit locations for additional assistance. Through this important volunteer work, Scott has helped get some of our homeless off the streets and into places of their own or into rehab facilities.

Yvonne Rizzo (2002) worked in conjunction with Fulton County government officials as a neighborhood representative to implement speed-calming devices in the Lake Forrest / Burdette Road neighborhood. In addition, she joined Eva Galambos, Joe Wilkinson, Rusty Paul, Wendell Willard, and other Sandy Springs advocates working toward the goal of a referendum for the City of Sandy Springs. This was accomplished in the summer of 2005 with a 94% approval from the citizens. Upon the formation of the City of Sandy Springs, Yvonne was asked to join the city's advisory Design Review Board, on which she has served since December 2005.

Yvonne was active with her Leadership class to help in establishing a Community Volunteer Day (which has become the annual Volunteering for a Better Sandy Springs) and helped to create a Sandy Springs Non-Profit Directory.

Yvonne is married to Rion Rizzo. Their daughter, Danielle, is a rising 8th grader at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. Yvonne is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Georgia State's MBA program. The family has lived and worked in Sandy Springs for 20 years, where their entrepreneurial business services the building and design industry.

2006 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Anne Holbrooke, class of 1996 comes from a line of educators and has involved herself in educational needs in the community through spearheading the Pre-School Calendar, an initiative to ensure that preschoolers are ready to enter school, serving as chair of Learning Begins at Home and on the board of the Community Education Force. She was elected as Parent Representative to the Local School Advisory Council and founded the Friends of North Springs High School Foundation. Anne has also served on the boards of the Diabetes Association of Atlanta and Leadership Sandy Springs. A former Cub Scout Leader, Anne is married and the mother of two sons.

Laura Jones, class of 2000 is a community volunteer and the stay-at-home mom of two children following a 15-year career in marketing communications. She has been active in her church serving as chair of Outreach and coordinating the building of 3 Habitat Houses, participating in Hands on Atlanta Day and working with the Albert T. Mills Center for underprivileged preschools. Laura proposed and designed the Sandy Springs Sign Toppers as the project for her Leadership class. Since then she has remained active in LSS serving as President and is the current Chairman. Laura organized the first Movies by Moonlight fundraiser for LSS. She is active in her son's preschool and with the Sandy Springs Society.

Susan Maziar, class of 1998 has served on the Highpoint Civic Association Board for six years. In 1999, Commissioner Tom Lowe appointed Susan to a four-year term on the Fulton County Board of Zoning Appeals; in 2003, to the Fulton County Community Zoning Board where she continues to serve. She was recently appointed by the SS City Council and Mayor to the Sandy Springs Planning Commision. Other volunteer activity includes the Community Action Center, Northside Youth Organization at Chastain Park and the Westminister School Catbackers Board. Susan is married to Todd and they have two sons, both in high school.

2005 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Anna Bracley, class of 1994, has continued to serve our community with the same enthusiasm and dedication that lead to her participating in the Leadership program. She was involved in her children's schools, their sports programs and church and shared her time with less fortunate children, volunteering in the Best Kidsafter-school program. She also contributed time to Sandy Springs Revitalization. She chaired the Sandy Springs Festival, the Lightening 10K race and has held many positions on the Board of Heritage Sandy Springs, most recently serving on the Search Committee for the Executive Director. She serves on the Board of the Southeastern Flower Show and was Chair of the Flower Show in 2004. A long time member of the Sandy Springs Society she has held many positions on the board, Co-Chairing the 2005 and 2006 SSS Garden Tours. She is also an active member of the Sandy Springs Garden Club. She is married to Dwight Bradley. They have two adult children and are the proud grandparents of an adorable granddaughter.

Ralph Daniels, class of 1993, has contributed significantly to our community through his work with Fulton County Commissioner Tom Lowe. However, the impact he has on Sandy Springs and the people in our community extends far beyond those that are defined by his public position. He helped create Hoops for Hope, a fundraising event that benefits the Tourette's Association as well as Holy Innocents School. He served on the organizing committee of the Greenspace initiative in Sandy Springs that lead to the formation of the Sandy Springs Conservancy and served as a member of SSC's first Board of Directors. Ralph has worked tirelessly on many projects with Keep Sandy Springs North Fulton Beautiful. Every year he participates in the Sandy Springs Festival in addition to other Heritage Sandy Springs activities. He assists in the coordination of Government Day for Leadership Sandy Springs and is a source of nominations of candidates for the LSS program. He has served as an advocate for organizations such as Sandy Springs Revitalization, Sandy Springs Business Association and the Sandy Springs Society.

Nita Stokes, Class of 1992, has been a vital part of the growth of Heritage Sandy Springs for many years. Not only did she provide outstanding leadership as a Past President of the Board, but in effect served as a volunteer Executive Director for almost a year while a this normally full time staff position was being filled. During her tenure expansion of the Sandy Springs Historic Site and plans for future development took shape. She even shared her love of gardening by preparing planter baskets to sell to benefit HSS. She has served as presidents of the Riverside North Garden Club and the Northwood Garden Club (a metro-wide club). Her involvement with Atlanta History Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Georgia Historic Preservation and Piedmont Park Conservancy showcase her commitment to preservation and beautification. However, her interests go beyond these as she devotes time to benefit youth by serving on the UNICEDF Atlanta Board and the Board of the Boy Scouts of America. Nita continues to serve the Sandy Springs community in many ways, including V.P. Alumni for Leadership Sandy Springs 2005-2006.

2004 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Tamara Carrera, class of 1998, served as LSS President in 2003 and is currently Chairman. She began her involvement with Sandy Springs first as a volunteer and later as Executive director of Community Action Center (CAC) Tamara has become an advocate for community needs in Sandy Springs. She got involved with the Board of Community Education Force, an organization working in the field of educational needs. She has also worked with The Horizons Program Board at Holy Innocents, a program providing summer enrichment opportunities for low income students. She has presented the issues of lack of affordable day care, medical care and after school opportunities to several constituencies in FultonCounty. She is a native of Ecuador, has an MBA in Nonprofit Management from BostonUniversity and a BA in Biology from ManhattanvilleCollege in New York.

Laura DeLong, class of 1999, left a career in Advertising and Public Relations to become a community volunteer. She serves on the Advisory Board of Leadership Sandy Springs and the Heritage Sandy Springs board and is currently President of The Sandy Springs Society. Past board experience includes The Sandy Springs-Dunwoody Community Action Center (President 1999-2001), Alyssum Garden Club (President 1994-95), the Cameron Glen Civic Association (President 1993-94) and The Cameron Group Investment Club (Founder and President 1993-98). She has volunteered for The Festival of Trees, The Decorator Show House, The Holiday House, Junior Achievement and Sandy Springs Revitalization.She and her husband "D.J." are parents of two adult daughters.They are members of St. JohnUnitedMethodistChurch.

Ellen Stein, Trustee Emeritus, was born and raised in New Orleans. She attended SmithCollege in Massachusetts and has lived in Ann Arbor, MI and Jerusalem, Israel. She moved to Atlanta in 1977. She is the mother of 3 sons and 1 grandson. Her volunteer work for Sandy Springs has included the GreenfieldHebrewAcademy where she is now a Honorary Trustee, Heritage Sandy Springs (board member and co-chair of Concerts by the Springs programs) and she is a Trustee Emeritus of Leadership Sandy Springs. Ellen is a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker in the Sandy Springs office where she is a Lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club and chairman of the Community Service Committee. She served as Executive Director of Leadership Sandy Springs from 1989 to 1995.

2003 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Sally FitzGerald, Class of 1993, served on a task force in 1984 to change the Fulton County school board members to be elected and the superintendents to be appointed. Sally then began to focus her efforts through the League of Women Voters to educate citizens and influence legislation that benefits students. She continues to follow legislation for the League and has expanded into taxation, elections, ethics and reapportionment.

Charles H. Green, Class of 1993, has served on the Board and as Co-Chairman of Keep Sandy Spirngs/North Fulton Beautiful, as a Trustee of Heritage Sandy Springs and Leadership Sandy Springs, and on the Board of NSHS Music Boosters. Charles has chaired and expanded the Concerts by the Springs, which are enjoyed by so many. Presently he is organizing a new bank named "Sunrise Bank of Atlanta."

Nancy Leathers was the Fulton County Director of Environment and Community Development where she worked to preserve the quality of life for Fulton County communities and helped achieve overlay districts for Sandy Springs. She was a member of the Class of 1989 and was president of Leadership in 1991. After retiring from Fulton County, Nancy became the Executive Director of Sandy Springs Revitalization, Inc. (SSRI) in September 2002, where she continues to work for positive changes in Sandy Springs.

2002 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards

Jim Anderson, Class of 1988, was acknowledged for his leadership role in founding Sandy Springs Revitalization.

Ham Henson, Class of 1988, was recognized for his vision in expanding Heritage Sandy Springs.

Marlise Laneck, Class of 1989, helped to organize the Friends of Sandy Springs Library and the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods.

Joseph Mayson, Class of 1992, was a key catalyst in founding the Sandy Springs Historic Foundation, Big Trees Forest Preserve, and the Sandy Springs Conservancy.

Ludovico Villanueva , Leadership Trustee Emeritus, was honored for his work in starting Leadership Sandy Springs and his ongoing support of Atlanta's Filipino community.