Task Force Members
Co-Chairs
Taifa Smith Butler is President and CEO of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, where she leads and inspires the GBPI team to accomplish the organization’s mission and vision to improve economic opportunity for all Georgians. She is a problem solver, tireless champion for equity, working families and investing early in children. Read more…
Amir Farokhi represents Atlanta's City Council District 2 which includes Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, and Candler Park. A native to metro Atlanta, Councilmember Farokhi lives in the Old Fourth Ward. Professionally, he works for CARE USA. Read more…
Mayor Shirley Franklin (2002-2010) is currently the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Purpose Built Communities, and the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Read more…
Dena Kimball is the Executive Director of The Kendeda Fund. She also oversees the Girls’ Rights program. Before joining The Kendeda Fund in 2014, Dena served as the Vice President of Network Support for Teach For All; the Vice President of Alumni Affairs and the Deputy Vice President of Admissions for Teach for America. Read more…
“Across the nation, we are seeing the deep inequalities in our economy and society laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic and riots in our streets. We have an opportunity to build a just, equitable economy that lifts up those who have been marginalized, one that offers security for everyone.” - Natalie Foster
Additional Members
G. Lynne Alston-Leonard, Consultant, Marketing & Advertising; Resident, Old Fourth Ward
Humeta Embry, Executive Director, AFSCME Local 1644
Jason Esteves, President, Atlanta School Board
Sameera Fazili, Dir. of Engagement, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Natalie Foster, Co-Director, Economic Security Project
Dr. Sarah Beth Gehl, Research Director, Southern Economic Advancement Project
Chantell Glenn, Program Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Resident, Old Fourth Ward
Ryan Gravel, Founder, Generator
Jessyca Holland, Executive Director, C4 Atlanta
Doug Hooker, Executive Director, Atlanta Regional Commission
Nikishka Iyengar, Founder/CEO, The Guild
Cheneé Joseph, Executive Director, Historic District Development Corporation
Gene Kansas, CEO, Gene Kansas Real Estate
Amit Khanduri, Program Officer, LISC Atlanta
Rachel Korberg, Program Officer, Ford Foundation, Future of Work(ers)
Michelle Lockhart, Project Coordinator, Interfaith Children's Movement; Resident, Old Fourth Ward
Dr. Bettina Love, Associate Professor, University of Georgia
Rohit Malhotra, Executive Director, Center for Civic Innovation
Odetta MacLeish-White, Executive Director, Transformation Alliance ATL
Jennifer L. Owens, Senior Vice President, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Dr. Elora Raymond, Assistant Professor, City Planning, Georgia Tech
Nathaniel Smith, Executive Director, Partnership for Southern Equity
LeJuano Varnell, Executive Director Sweet Auburn Works
Rev. John Vaughn, Executive Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church
James Williams, President, North Georgia Labor Council
Sandra Williams, Executive Director, North Georgia Labor Council