The Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) and Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Atlanta are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Nonprofit Leader "30 Under 30" Awards program, a collaboration of GCN and YNPN Atlanta.

Nominations for the awards were accepted from across Georgia to recognize 30 young nonprofit professionals who are making a powerful impact in their organizations by exhibiting outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment in their community work. GCN and YNPN Atlanta believe each of these professionals is making strides to improve not only their communities but the nonprofit sector as a whole.

Winners will be recognized at an exclusive September event at MailChimp headquarters, part of GCN's week of Nonprofit Field Trips, where they will meet with a panel of young nonprofit CEOs and alumni of the 30 Under 30 Awards program. They will also receive recognition at the YNPN Atlanta NextGen Breakfast in October at The Commerce Club, where they will have in-depth conversations with some of Atlanta's top nonprofit professionals.

2014 30 Under 30 award recipients include:

Tayo Adeyefa | Development Coordinator, National Kidney Foundation
Jewel Anderson | Career and Alumni Services Specialist, YearUp
Lindsay Ayers | Youth Market Director, American Heart Association
Kristyn Back | Development Associate, Park Pride
Marianna S. Burke | Counselor, The Community School
Rachel Van Buskirk | Company Dancer, Atlanta Ballet
Julianna Cagle | Development Officer, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Shirley Anne Cruz | Manager of Volunteer Support, Recognition & Resolutions, Girl Scouts ofGreater Atlanta
Jacqueline Edwards | Director of Partnerships, Project Istwa
Russell Gottschalk | Director and Founder, Atlanta Jewish Music Festival
Hannah Grady | Associate Campaign Manager, Coxe Curry & Associates
Christina Graff | Director of Programs, kidz2leaders, Inc.
Andrew Heacox | Assistant Director, Boys & Girls Club of America
Adena Hill | Advocacy Coordinator, Atlanta Community Food Bank
Danielle Hunt | Director of Finance & Operations, Scottdale Child Development & Family Resource Center
Amy Kane | Director, Core Programs, Rheumatology Research Foundation
Becky Katz | Park Visioning Coordinator, Park Pride
Elyse Klova | Training Specialist, Foundation Center
Jessie Matheson | Education Director, The Wren's Nest
Jake Maguire | Director of Communications, Community Solutions/100,000 Homes Campaign
Johanna McCrehan | Urban Designer, Georgia Conservancy
Kathy Ortstadt | Executive Director, Ian's Friends Foundation
Rebecca Pogue| Program Coordinator, Arts for Learning, Woodruff Arts Center
Amelia Quinn | Founder and President, BeLoved Atlanta
Leigh Tenewitz | Director of Communications and Government Affairs, March of Dimes
Lara Wagner | President, Skylight Consulting
Eldredge E. Washington | Executive Director, M.A.D.E.
Kai Williamson | Executive Director, Youth Enhancement Services
Sigele Winbush | Public Relations Manager, Atlanta Ballet
Allison Young | Social Media/Website Manager, Atlanta Community Food Bank

"At GCN, we know that the future of our sector rides on the wave of young leadership," saidKaren Beavor, president and CEO of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. "We're dedicated to celebrating and supporting them – through recognition for their outstanding contributions and with professional development and network-building opportunities though initiatives like "30 Under 30."

"In national surveys, young nonprofit professionals consistently point to limited opportunities for professional development and burn-out as primary factors that hinder their work or even cause them to leave the sector," said Molly Friesenborg, Board Chair of YNPN Atlanta. "YNPN Atlanta provides opportunities like the Nonprofit Leader 30 Under 30 Awards to recognize outstanding young leaders and provide them with the professional development and the supportive, diverse networks they need to make meaningful change in their communities."

Learn more about the 30 Under 30 Awards program at www.gcn.org/30under30.