Doug Hooker Becomes Community Foundation Board Chair & Welcomes Three New Board Members

Staff Report

Thursday, March 16th, 2023

Back row (left to right): Susan Grant; Jen Bennecke; Ryan Wilson; Dantes Rameau; Lovette Russell; Bert Clark; Fran Gary; Kelli Stewart; Studie Young, Front row (left to right): Ron Alston; Peter Berg; Johanna Reisinger; Frank Fernandez; Doug Hooker; Jewel Burks Solomon; Jerry Wilkinson; Margy Stagmeier

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announces three new board members who will continue the Foundation’s mission to form a more prosperous Atlanta for all who call it home. 

New members are:

The three each serve a three-year term leading volunteer committees, engaging in community programs and sharing their knowledge and counsel to the Foundation. In addition, this year Board member Doug Hooker assumes a three-year term as Foundation’s Board Chair. Hooker served one year as Vice-Chair, working closely with former Board Chair, Susan Grant, to launch and guide the Foundation’s 2022-2026 strategic plan known as TogetherATL. Grant remains on the Board for one more year through this transition. These new volunteers join an additional 20 returning board members to advance the work of the Foundation. Board members’ complete biographies can be found online here

“We welcome these three new perspectives to help guide the Foundation along the road to a more equitable Atlanta, a road with clearly-defined challenges and measures for impact,” said Frank Fernandez, president and CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “Our work goes deep into place-based programs in Thomasville, South Cobb and South Fulton, including efforts to ensure equitable access to affordable housing and wealth building through homeownership. Our work is also broad, from bolstering local journalism to amplifying voices in the arts and hosting community events for our neighbors to engage and learn how to make their own impact.” 

TogetherATL, the Foundation’s touchstone for the next five years, is focused on community-centered, data-driven solutions that work  with, and for, residents to identify and drive opportunities forward. The plan also focuses on systems-level change by bringing together partners to implement scalable programs that will lead to a thriving region.