Welcoming the Advisory Board Class of 2026

Alicia Thompson, APR, is vice president of communications for Randstad US. Alicia has more than 30 years of experience developing and implementing public relations and marketing communications programs for companies and agencies including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, BellSouth Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Edelman, Porter Novelli, Fletcher Martin Ewing and Cohn & Wolfe. She currently serves as a member of the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations Board of Advisors and the College of Charleston Department of Communication Advisory Council. She is a member of the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society, Leadership Atlanta Class of 2008 and National Eagle Leadership Institute.

Ana Urrego, a Colombian native who moved to the United States at age 7, passionately advocates for community connectedness, children's rights, and equitable access to the arts. With a BBA in Marketing from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s in Merchandising and International Trade from the University of Georgia, she's honed her business expertise. Ana is an integral part of her family's dental practice, GDC Smiles, and co-founded Furdale, a pet supply company catering to small breed dog owners.

In 2021, Ana served on Mayor Dickens’ campaign for Mayor of Atlanta as a Latinx Outreach Strategy Lead. Her commitment to community service is evident through past roles, including being a SheSyndicate TechSavvy Program Mentor and Korean American Coalition (KAC) Board Member. Ana's dedication extends to her role as a Sustainability Ambassador for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Resilience and her recently completed tenure as Vice President for Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE). Ana currently serves on the UNICEF NextGen Steering Committee and the AJC ACCESS Board. Her contributions were honored with recognition as one of Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latinos in 2021 and her recent induction into Outstanding Atlanta, reflecting her invaluable work within the community.

Brandon P. Fleming is a renowned speaker, nationally acclaimed educator, and author of MISEDUCATED: A Memoir. His triumphant story of struggle, success, and service has captured the heart of national media and inspired millions of people around the world. An at-risk youth and college dropout turned award-winning educator, Fleming is a former debate coach at Harvard University and Founder & CEO of the Veritas School of Social Sciences in Atlanta, GA. In 2017, Fleming was recruited to become Harvard University’s assistant debate coach at the age of 26. Fleming soon made history at Harvard as the founder of the first Black pipeline program called the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, which was designed to increase Black enrollment at Harvard’s residential debate program where hundreds of gifted young scholars from over 25 different countries study and compete in an international academic debate competition.

As a renowned speaker, Fleming has keynoted for international governmental organizations such as the United Nations. Fleming has spoken at the nation’s most prestigious colleges, universities, K-12 conferences, and the nation’s largest brands such as Walmart, Bank of America, FedEx, the Federal Reserve Bank, and many more. At the age of 29, Forbes Magazine named Fleming to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. In 2020, The Root Magazine named Fleming one of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the United States. And in May 2021, North Carolina Wesleyan College bestowed upon Fleming the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

Emmanuel Glaze is the Founder/CEO of the non profit Optimize The Vizion and the media company OTV Media LLC since 2019.He is the co/host of the Sports Talk Show The Crush Sports Talk since 2014. He has been married to his wife Jennifer for over 25 years and has 2 daughters Nia and Nadiyah. He is a graduate of Morris Brown College with a degree in Mathematics. He lives by the motto "You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.”

Erica Greenblat is Director of Philanthropic Outreach for the ADL Southern Division, serving as one of the organization's key philanthropic leaders. Over the course of her nine-year span, she's held multiple roles at ADL, including Director of Development for the ADL Southeast Region, Director of Community Engagement and Associate Director of Development for the New York Region. In April of 2021, she was honored with the Senn-Greenberg Award, a national ADL award for professional excellence. She previously worked for March of the Living as the Director of Young Leadership, after starting her career in fashion and event planning, working for luxury brands such as Prada and Chloe. Erica has an MPA in Nonprofit Management from the NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and a BA in Art History and English from NYU. Erica is an active civic and community leader: she is a volunteer with Big Brother Big Sister, serves as the Volunteer Director for Candler Park Fall Fest, is active with The Temple, and previously served as one of the Planned Parenthood Southeast Roses for Roe Co-Chairs. She also completed a fellowship through the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership in New York. In her spare time, she enjoys taking dance and yoga classes, going to see live music and theater, and traveling to exciting destinations with her husband, Matthew. A life-long musical theater nerd, Erica is ecstatic to bring her energy and experience to the Alliance Theater Advisory Board!

Jeff Graham is the executive director of Georgia Equality, an organization that works to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities throughout Georgia. Jeff began advocating on LGBT and AIDS related issues as a college student in the mid-1980s and has continued his advocacy on these issues since that time. He has been involved in a wide variety of grassroots and legislative advocacy campaigns and for nearly 30 years has served as either an executive director or board member to a number of local and national organizations working on issues related to gay and transgender rights, access to healthcare, community empowerment and HIV/AIDS. Jeff has received numerous awards and recognition for both his advocacy and nonprofit work from organizations such as the National Center for Human Rights Education, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta City Council, The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, ACLU of Georgia and several local publications and organizations within the LGBT and HIV communities. He served as a Grand Marshal of the Atlanta Pride Parade and has been named to the most influential lists of Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend.

Jennifer Lee is the Policy Director for Asian Americans Advancing-Justice Atlanta, a non-profit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Georgia. She previously served at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, where she researched and advocated for state policies that provide Georgians greater opportunity to complete a higher education credential across race, ethnicity and family income.

Jennifer also served as director of the Texas Kids Count Project at Every Texan (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities) in Austin, Texas. She graduated from Wellesley College and holds a master’s in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jodi Kalson is a business and tort litigation staff attorney at Jones Day. Her experience includes disputes related to breach of contract, employment matters, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and spans multiple stages of litigation. Jodi has represented clients on a variety of business litigation matters involving claims of breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and piercing the corporate veil. Jodi's experience includes trial and appellate matters. She has appeared as second chair in a state and federal trial, both of which resulted in victories for the clients. Jodi previously clerked for a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia.

Jodi is the author of the children's book, The Girl Who Lives in the Sky, proceeds from which benefit the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). She also hosts an annual fundraiser to benefit the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta NICU. Jodi also enjoys volunteering for Jewish Family and Career Services (JF&CS).

Jodi lives in Sandy Springs with her daughters, Micah (10) and Riley (7).

Originally from South Florida, Jo Lopez is an alumna of the University of Central Florida, where she majored in Human Communication. She has years of experience in advancement/development in non-profit arts, with specific skills in community engagement, donor relations, event planning, and board relations. As the Assistant Director of Donor Relations at Emory University, Jo supports the planning, management, and implementation of programs designed to enhance and strengthen Emory's relationships with principal, major gift donors and significant donor prospects.

Jo and her husband, own Humo Cuisine, a Latin American-Inspired catering business. When she has the opportunity, Jo enjoys traveling, attending artistic experiences, volunteering at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and napping with her 17-year-old dog, Nemo.

A native Atlantan, Dr. Joni L. Johnson Williams has more than 30 years’ experience in secondary and higher education. Currently Chief of Staff, Joni has served as Special Assistant to the President, HR Director, Distance Education Coordinator, and on the faculty of Atlanta Technical College. She has served as adjunct faculty at Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University.

Joni has a Ph. D. in English (Georgia State University), a M.A. in English (University of Kentucky), and a B.A.in English (Spelman College). Her research interests include post-colonial and Global South literatures; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and leadership development. She has presented at regional conferences and appears in several reference volumes. She is a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute (2022) and HERS Wellesley (2013).

Service in metro Atlanta includes the Hapeville Charter School Board, Georgia Women of Achievement Board of Trustees, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Spelman College. A PGA TOUR Championship volunteer and hospitality venue chair since 2016, Joni has been recognized by rolling out magazine as a "Top 25 Influential Woman of Atlanta" and by the TOUR Championship (East Lake Foundation) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for her service.

Mamie Dayan Vogel most recently led a Commercial Research, Consumer Insights, UX Research & Product teams for a prominent, multi-national FinTech, bringing a background of research & customer behavior tools to help strategic merchant partners understand shopper financing preferences & needs. A Master's Degree in Demography & a background of population statistics has led her to roles focused primarily on understanding, impacting & designing for end-user needs.

Mamie has developed a career working in retail innovation & designing multiple digital & hardware products. These designs have resulted in being awarded four patents from the US Patent Office.

Outside of working, Mamie spends time volunteering with non-profits focused on the arts & inter-ethnic bridge building as well as enjoying time with her husband and two children.

Melinda Weekes-Laidlow, Esq. is a social change architect, master facilitator, entrepreneur and ordained minister. Melinda leads Weekes In Advance Enterprises, a consulting firm offering organizational development and impact strategy services to change agents in corporate, entertainment and social innovation sectors. She is also the Founder/CEO of Beautiful Ventures, a narrative power building and entrepreneurial support organization for Black story-driven creatives. She has held leadership positions at Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation and the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Echoing Green named Melinda its first-ever Social Entrepreneur in Residence in 2015. Melinda is a graduate of Wesleyan University, New York University School of Law and Harvard Divinity School and is proud to have studied for a semester at Spelman College. Born in New York City, Melinda is a proud “Georgia Apple” – now making home and community in the great city of Atlanta.

Michelle Robinson, a passionate entrepreneur, is the founder and Principal of Resilient Resources Group (RRG), a national HR consulting firm. With a dynamic team, Michelle draws from her extensive background in hospitality, healthcare, facilities management, education, and the arts to offer comprehensive solutions in workforce planning, talent management, DEI strategy, and leadership coaching.

Michelle's leadership prowess was evident during her tenure at Sodexo, a global quality of life services company, where she orchestrated impactful DEI and talent management strategies. Her strategic approach led her to become the Vice President of Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access at the Woodruff Arts Center, a hub for visual and performing arts with robust educational programs. Here, Michelle crafted and executed the center's inaugural DEI strategy, embedding inclusive practices throughout the organization.

Recognized for her leadership, Michelle received the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality Legacy Award for her innovative talent development programs. Holding a Bachelor's degree in International Business and French from the University of Georgia, along with various certifications, Michelle is an engaging speaker and facilitator. She shares her insights globally, captivating audiences on DEI and Talent Management topics.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Michelle actively engages with civic organizations like Mocha Moms Inc, Girl Scouts of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She's a valued Advisory Board member for the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance, furthering multicultural initiatives. Presently, Michelle serves on the Advisory Board of the Alliance Theatre. Her dedication to fostering growth extends from employees to the communities they serve, reflecting her belief in cultivating a thriving work culture.

Susan Sim Oh is the Vice-President of Strategy and Operations for GrayTV's Telemundo Station group. In this role, Oh develops overall strategy and best practices for news, programming, digital, OTT, marketing and sales for GrayTV's Telemundo station group, which comprises of 42 markets across the United States. GrayTV is the second largest broadcaster in the United Stations with television stations in 113 television markets.

From January 2009 to March 2022, Oh was co-owner and managing partner of WKTB-CD, a Class A Television Station in the Atlanta DMA broadcasting top-tier Spanish and Korean broadcast networks, serving the fastest growing minority groups in Atlanta with a reach of over a million viewers.

Through Oh’s leadership, Telemundo Atlanta was the first local Spanish-language television station to consecutively garner the coveted ‘Overall Station Excellence’ Emmy® Award by the National Academy of Arts and Sciences in the Southeast region in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023. Under Oh’s leadership, Telemundo Atlanta has garnered over 60 Emmy® Awards within the last 10 years.

Oh received her Executive MBA from Georgia State University and Bachelors of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. Oh resides in Johns Creek and enjoys attending theatre productions, traveling, and playing tennis.

Campbell Hastings, Management Consultant at Bain and Company

Tre'Von McKay, Co-Founder and VP of Product Development at Hire Ground