| For Immediate Release
July 27, 2022
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MEDIA CONTACT: Christin Jackson Brand & Media Marketing Manager Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta 470.823.3276 | CJackson@bgcma.org |
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Announces New Board of Directors
Diverse 2022 Cohort of Corporate and Community Leaders Bring Decades of Experience to Support the Youth Development Nonprofit’s RISE2025 Strategic Vision and Comprehensive Campaign
ATLANTA–Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) is pleased to announce the Class of 2022 Board of Directors. Board members play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization and working to secure vital funding to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s 26 locations across 11 counties in and around the city.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome such a talented, passionate and diverse group of board members to our Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta family,” said BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan. “The addition of 12 new voices to our esteemed collective counsel will help drive us closer to our RISE 2025 strategic plan to serve more kids, more often, and with greater impact.”
“Over the past year, BGCMA has taken a strategic approach to identify the best volunteer leaders to help fulfill our mission to ignite the unlimited potential of our kids & teens,” said BGCMA Board Chair Charlie Henn. “Our newly appointed Board of Directors are passionate volunteer leaders who reflect the communities we serve and hold positions at Atlanta-based industries where we previously lacked representation.”
BGCMA welcomes 12 new Board Members of diverse backgrounds & perspectives, as well as expertise & skillsets. Our Class of 2022 cohort includes 6 women, and 6 men from a myriad of industries:
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Jon Babul serves as Vice President of Basketball Development for the Atlanta Hawks and an analyst for the NBA G-League’s College Park Skyhawks. In addition, he calls games for his Alma Mater, Georgia Tech, on the ACC Network. Babul also spent time as an assistant coach at James Madison University, an athletic director and head varsity coach at Mt. Paran Christian School, and as an academic advisor for Georgia Tech Athletics. He has a passion for serving youth and fond memories of playing basketball at Boys and Girls Clubs. |
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Lauren Bricks is Co-Founder and CEO of Ipsum Diagnostics. In early 2020, Lauren’s molecular laboratory team developed a COVID-19 PCR test granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA. Under Lauren’s leadership, Ipsum partnered with Georgia’s Department of Public Health to provide PCR Covid testing throughout the state. Bricks was honored by Atlanta Magazine’s “Women Making a Mark” and Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Forty Under 40.” Bricks looks forward to contributing to the continued successes of BGCMA. |
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Madeline Chadwick is the Senior Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Papa Johns, where she leads team member and franchisee communications, public relations, corporate communications and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Chadwick spearheaded the launch of The Papa John’s Foundation and its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate communications, spanning global companies and agencies. |
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Ryan Esparza is the Chief Technology Officer for EspriGas with over 20 years of experience driving growth for technology companies. Prior to EspriGas, Esparza was Chief Information Officer at Jackson Healthcare and Vice President of Software Engineering at The Weather Company. He has also held leadership positions at other leading Atlanta brands, including Intercontinental Hotels Group, Cox Enterprises and The Home Depot. As an active member of the Atlanta community, he currently serves on the board of Inspiredu and is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2022. |
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Jeff Hanson has served in the role as the Senior Vice President of E-Commerce for Floor & Décor since 2013. Prior to Floor & Décor, he worked in marketing and e-commerce for Shoe Carnival and Marriott. As a father of two with a commitment to service in the Atlanta area, Hanson looks forward to contributing to BGCMA’s impactful work with youth in the Atlanta area. |
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Camille Hannans is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Georgia Aquarium, where she has worked since 2005. An accomplished HR leader with corporate, legal, non-profit and start-up experience, she has directed the creation and implementation of new recruiting processes, leveraged human capital technology investment and organization learning/development. |
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Aiten McPherson is a Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP, where her practice focuses on commercial disputes, employment litigation, and non-compete matters. McPherson has been recognized as a “Georgia Rising Star” and as “Ones to Watch” by the Best Lawyers in America. She has served as a board member for Everybody Wins!, which promotes literacy in Title I elementary schools, and is active in Atlanta Legal Aid’s Advisory Committee. She is excited to contribute to BGCMA’s work in the community and be actively involved with the organization and the kids. |
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John Mori, an Atlanta native, is the former CEO of Mori Luggage & Gifts, a family-owned, specialty retailer founded in Atlanta in 1971. After selling the business in 2018, Mori worked for Conklin Metal Industries as VP of Business Development. He is currently involved in real estate and other business endeavors. His civic engagement includes Rotary Club of Atlanta, Agape Youth & Family Center, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Leadership Georgia Class of 2007 and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Mori believes in the mission of BGCMA and looks forward to contributing to its growth and success. |
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Erin Mitchell Richeson serves as the Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity for Cox Enterprises, leading the implementation of the company’s inclusion, diversity, and equity strategy. Richeson is a seasoned Inclusion and Diversity strategist, having spearheaded diversity and inclusion functions at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Erin has twice been awarded the Business Champion of Diversity Excellence by the Technology Association of Georgia. She has served as an advisor to and Board member of several local nonprofit organizations. |
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Elizabeth Silbert is a Partner at King & Spalding. Focusing on the energy, infrastructure, and pharma industries, Silbert represents clients in high-profile disputes involving major projects and long-term foreign investments. Her cases are regularly at the cutting edge of international arbitration practice. In 2020, Legal 500 named Silbert a “key lawyer” in the firm’s “Tier 1” arbitration team; and in 2018, Law 360 recognized her as a “rising star” in international arbitration (one of three attorneys named worldwide). |
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Paul Trotti is Vice President for Supply Chain Development at Chick-fil-A, where he has worked in executive positions for more than 10 years. Prior to Chick-fil-A, he held various leadership roles at Newell-Rubbermaid. Trotti’s philanthropic and non-profit experience includes serving on the local boards of Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, RiseUp4Christ, and coaching basketball at Pope High School. He is excited about serving with BGCMA as he is passionate about the development of our youth. |
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Stephen Vault is Vice President of Strategic Community Development & Social Impact for WellStar Health System. Prior to joining WellStar, Stephen was Director of Planning & Business Development at Grady Health System. His other non-profit board seats include past co-chair of Whitefoord, Inc. and past chairman of 100 Black Men of North Metro, Inc. Vault is an alumnus of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Atlanta and was named to both the Board of Governors for Georgia Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as the Chairman for SelectCobb, economic development arm of the Cobb Chamber. |
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For more than 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Our 26 Clubs located in 11 counties across metropolitan Atlanta have traditionally served nearly 8000 kids & teens (ages 6-18) each year, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character & leadership. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. To learn more about BGCMA, follow us on social media: Twitter (@BGCMA_Clubs), Facebook (BGCMA), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), and Instagram (bgcmATL), or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.