Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is pleased to announce that Twanna Harris has been appointed to the newly- created position, Vice-President of Brand, Content and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, Ms. Harris will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the executive team, to provide senior-level thought leadership to amplify the global voice and appeal of the Atlanta BeltLine. She will work collaboratively with media, community, civic, business and governmental stakeholders to ensure the brand and the messaging of the Atlanta BeltLine reflect its vision of being “the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life.”

“As more companies look to Atlanta as a place to call home, we realized the importance of Atlanta’s BeltLine as the entity that promotes access, opportunity and connectivity throughout the city,” said Brian McGowan, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “As the third largest Fortune 500 market in the nation, Twanna’s experience building blue chip brands can help us think through how we leverage some of our greatest assets to establish a stronger voice, one that clearly articulates the value the Atlanta BeltLine brings to our community.”

“Atlanta has always been known as a city with infinite possibilities,” said Harris. “Many may not realize that the Atlanta BeltLine was designed to shine as a trail that illustrates the growth, opportunity and prosperity that lies ahead for Atlanta and the neighborhoods it connects. That’s our brand promise, and my job is to guide the messaging that illustrates the beauty and strength of the diverse tapestry that makes Atlanta what it is today.”

As a content creator, Harris feels that there is no better time than the present to build upon the excitement, momentum and promise of the Atlanta BeltLine.

“Right now, there’s a unique opportunity to tell a very compelling story about Atlanta’s history, present and future, through the lens of our city’s new leadership,” said McGowan, “and this urban revitalization project is creating new outcomes for the many people throughout the city.”

As the Atlanta BeltLine becomes a worldwide model for citywide sustainability and urban redevelopment, Twanna will scale ABI’s voice and brand awareness, as it pertains to the project, the people, the priorities, and most importantly, the purpose of the Atlanta BeltLine. She is an avid champion for social change through storytelling, and believes that the Atlanta BeltLine is that catalyst that engages diverse groups to reimagine what the City’s future needs to reflect.

With over 18 years of strategic brand, multicultural, and experiential marketing expertise, Twanna brings a wealth of knowledge in crafting and amplifying strong brand messaging, building brand love through experiences, and leveraging the affinity of strong alliances to reach larger, diverse audiences of stakeholders. She has led Cola Cola-branded initiatives for multiple agencies, and has worked for some of the largest global brands and nonprofits, including Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and United Way. She has proven herself to be a staunch advocate, focused on building strong ambassadors, teams and communities that thrive on brand love.

Ms. Harris graduated from Florida State University and holds a MBA from Clark Atlanta University. She is married to her husband Will, and they have four children.  Ms. Harris values strong, cohesive communities that are poised for opportunity, and she is excited to be leading the mission to help ignite the voice that champions the sustainability of communities that are equipped to thrive as the city continues its growth and evolution.