Create Dunwoody has appointed Jennifer Long as the Founding Executive Director as of March 1, 2023. Long is a leader with more than two decades of entrepreneurship, non-profit, and corporate experience. Long previously served as Executive Director for The Creatives Project, an organization designed to enrich and strengthen local communities through quality arts-based education and outreach.

Long shared, "What an exciting time to join Create Dunwoody! I am thrilled to be part of an organization focused on innovation and creativity -- using arts and culture as a vehicle to expand economic growth in Dunwoody. I look forward to building ongoing partnerships and identifying new collaboration methods."

Funded by the City of Dunwoody, Discover Dunwoody, and the Dunwoody Development Authority, Create Dunwoody is relaunching as an alliance to advance commerce and community through Arts and Culture.

A primary goal of Create Dunwoody is to build more reasons for those who live, work and play in Dunwoody to stay and spend more time in the city. Long will be responsible for heightening that goal through further development and focus on arts and community connections. She will also be responsible for fundraising, as well as building and incorporating additional economic development drivers through new, large-scale, public-facing events in the community.

President Create Dunwoody Board, Terri Julian Polk stated, "Create Dunwoody will focus its efforts on driving economic vitality by building strong partnerships in the business and arts communities to bring forward and amplify fun and exciting events that expand the culture in Dunwoody. We look forward to building sustainable relationships to improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in our city."

The Founding Executive Director search committee was led by Create Dunwoody member Susan Mitchell and comprised the board's Executive Leadership Team, including; Terri Julian Polk, Erica Anstey, Bill Grossman, and Debbie Fuse, along with Carolynn Lord.

Long is a graduate of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism - Mass Media Arts. She received her Masters in Business Administration in Strategic Management and Marketing from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She has layered her experience in sales, marketing, journalism, data, and technology with a deep understanding of strategy, analytics, and organizational growth. Building on that combination of experience, she firmly believes in a willingness to challenge the status quo in service of innovation and great ideas.

Long believes in civic engagement and has served on the Executive Board as President of the Dunwoody Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She has also served as an Atlanta board member for the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Hampton Alumni Association, along with the Southern California Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and National Sales Network (NSN).

Her creative passion is assuming the popular radio on-air personality "Shea Love" role on Atlanta's KISS 104.1 FM. She also hosts KISS 104.1 Sunday Vibes and The Georgia Lottery. Additionally, she is a Voice Over Talent for local brands such as; Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Publix, Gold Peak Tea, AT&T, and Georgia Power.