
Launched by Leadership Sandy Springs in 2011, YLSS is based on Leadership Sandy Springs’ successful 30-year-old program developing community leaders. It began as a project of the 2010 Leadership Sandy Springs class, who felt offering a program on community leadership is an important step in building the next generation.
“The earlier we connect with emerging leaders, the more we can instill a sense of civic responsibility and civic pride,” explains Debora Wilson, former CEO of The Weather Channel and first chair of the YLSS advisory committee.
“Because of Leadership Sandy Springs, we have hundreds of people who are much more connected to and more knowledgeable about our city," continued Wilson. "It’s part of the strength of Sandy Springs. As we do this with our youth at this very important turning point in their lives, we hope they, too, will join that group of very responsible and engaged citizens of Sandy Springs.”
YLSS accepted its first class of 20 students in 2011-12 from five area high schools. It is now in its 9th year with close to 40 students from all of the area schools including Riverwood, North Springs, Mount. Vernon, Holy Spirit, Holy Innocents, Galloway, Weber, Marist and The Atlanta Girls School.
The earlier we connect with emerging leaders, the more we can instill a sense of civic responsibility and pride. Because of Leadership Sandy Springs, we have hundreds of people who are much more connected to and knowledgeable about our city. It’s part of the strength of Sandy Springs. As we do this with our youth at this very important turning point in their lives, we hope they, too, will join that group of very responsible and engaged citizens.
– Debora Wilson, Former CEO, The Weather Channel, First Chairperson, YLSS Advisory Committee



YLSS Executive Director: Linda Cahn
Cell
404-983-1962
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 72008
Sandy Springs, GA 30358
Email:
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Linda Cahn has been the Executive Director since 2018. A 25-year resident of Sandy Springs, Linda knows the students and school systems well. Her own children went to a combination of both private and public schools in Sandy Springs. Linda has a Masters Degree in Education and worked for 30 years in corporate Learning and Development. She has spent many hours volunteering not only for her children's schools, but also for the Sandy Springs Mission, local literacy programs, and CAC.