Renee Newman
Renee Newman is the visionary Chief Experience Officer at First United
Bank. In her dynamic role, she leads various critical functions, including
Retail, Lending, Product Development, Enterprise Program Office &
Strategy, Treasury, and Wealth Management. Her strategic initiatives
ensure a seamless and exceptional experience for customers and
employees across all touchpoints. Renee also serves as a key link with our
Mortgage and Insurance divisions, charting strategic courses to fulfill our
Vision 2030.
Joining the First United team in 2022, Renee brings with her an
impressive track record of over 25 years in the financial services industry.
Her extensive experience spans community, regional, and large financial
institutions, providing her with a rich and diverse perspective.
Renee earned her bachelor's degree in business administration and
management from Oregon State University and is a distinguished Pacific
Coast Banking School graduate. Her dedication and expertise are
instrumental in shaping the future of First United Bank.
Renee Newman
BOARD CHAIR
First United Bank
Lauren Kirkley
Lauren Kirkley is the Group President of Vericast’s Print, Payment & Engagement Solutions business which delivers over $2B in annual revenue. Lauren and her team define the strategic growth of our Check, Engagement Solutions, Coupons, Dynamic Postcards, Local Content and Print Marketing products. She leads Product Management & Strategy, Software Engineering, Client Management, Media Solutions Planning & Targeting, and other key support functions which come together to deliver actionable insights and expertise to more than 70,000 businesses.
Prior to her current role, Lauren was the EVP and Chief Operating officer responsible for all of Vericast’s key execution and support processes, including Contact Center Services, manufacturing and IT.
With more than 20 years of experience, Lauren brings extensive expertise in operational performance management, human resources leadership and business transformation. Prior to Vericast, she served as Chief Business Performance Officer for Engie Insight (previously Ecova), where she directed operational performance assessments, drove company-wide transformation programs and led key employee engagement efforts, including human resources, change management and corporate responsibility. She also previously served as the Vice President of Internal Audit for Ecova where she was responsible for developing and executing the company’s internal audit plans. Prior to joining Ecova, Lauren spent 10 years with Harland Clarke Holdings, holding several leadership positions including Vice President of Internal Audit. Her experience also includes two years of business process and risk consulting at Andersen LLP.
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Clemson University.
Lauren Kirkley
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Vericast
Cenina Saxton
Cenina is a seasoned talent management strategist and change agent with a history of leading organizations through various change initiatives of varying size and scope. She understands the nuances of talent cultivation and the intricate role of talent management within the broader organizational development framework. With a value-added mindset and always with an eye to the future, Cenina continually positions her department as a true growth driver, value creator, and business partner to all other departments.
Cenina is a time-tested visionary who effectively bridges the gap between
people, business, and technology. After every top-to-bottom assessment of
an organization and its needs, she designs integrated, actionable talent
management roadmaps that shape a high-performing culture, develop an
internal pipeline of future leaders, create a clear pathway up the corporate
ladder, and inspire employees to meet or exceed their professional and
career potential.
Early in her career, Cenina held the role of Talent Development - Contact Center
Manager with The Coca-Cola Company, where she spearheaded a suite of missioncritical change initiatives to modernize day-to-day operations, optimize talent selection and development processes, and nurture future leaders through innovative
combination of mentorship programs, development policies, and rotational job
assignments.
In 2013, she joined Emory Healthcare as Succession Planning Manager, where she
effectively analyzed and predicted talent gaps across all lines of business; Cenina
leveraged a combination of talent management strategies, organizational effectiveness plans, and succession planning initiatives to position the right people in the right roles, enabling Emory to scale efficiently.
Between 2019 and 2024, Cenina assumed a number of progressively senior roles
within the talent management space.. Her career accomplishments include
establishing a world class talent management and culture framework,
developing integrated strategies to foster a top-down culture of inclusivity and
diversity, establish a scalable and high-performing talent pipeline, shape the
next generation of business leaders, and incentivize and reward professional
accomplishments.
Cenina strikes a careful balance between the needs of both employees and her
organization; on the one hand, positioning employees optimally to generate
maximum value for the organization and its clients, and on the other hand,
positioning companies optimally to deliver against their growth objectives and strategic priorities. All while employing a databacked, KPI-driven, and insight-based approach to drive continuous improvement opportunities across teams, departments,
and global branches.
Cenina Saxton
SECRETARY
Eric Butts
Eric Butts is a finance consulting director at PwC specializing in helping clients drive transformational change through people, process, and performance. He currently focuses on serving clients in the Consumer Markets and Technology space.
He holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in Finance, Strategy, and Decision Sciences. Additionally, he received his BA in Accounting/Mathematics from Claremont McKenna College and is a licensed CPA in Illinois, California, and Georgia.
Eric also runs his own website, ericpbutts.com, which he's dubbed as THE career site for accountants and consultants, providing actionable tips to apply immediately in their day-to-day lives. It's the site he wishes was available to him when he was starting his career.
Eric Butts
TREASURER
PwC
Katie Hull
Katie Hull is the Director of eCommerce Strategy at UPS, where she works with partners and cross-functional teams to create industry-leading shipping experiences for small and medium eCommerce businesses. Before this role, Katie led the global expansion of UPS’s international product portfolio, and served in a Chief of Staff role supporting the CMO. She also led the creation of Insights Delivered, an internal platform aimed at connecting and elevating the global marketing organization through insight sharing around consumer needs, shifting market dynamics, and more.
Before UPS, Katie worked at two marketing technology startups in the U.S. and in China, supporting the growth of SMBs. She has a Bachelor’s degree from New York University, and a MBA from Emory University.
Katie is passionate about supporting the development and advancement of women and girls, and is thrilled to join the board of Girl Talk to further its mission of inspiring all girls to be confident leaders.
Katie Hull
GOVERNANCE CHAIR
UPS
Caroline Brown
Vice President, Content Operations and Origination, Warner Media
Caroline Brown joined Warner Media in 2017 where she serves as Vice President of Content Operations and Origination; managing the playout and distribution of Turner’s linear and digital content. Prior to Turner, Brown spent 12 years at Comcast in various roles; ultimately serving as VP, Content Management. While at Comcast she spearheaded the development of initiatives that led to the proliferation and sustainability of digital media including first launches of HD VOD, EST and dynamic ad insertion. She has been a long-time advocate of industry initiatives and received the Chapter Innovator Award from CTAM in 2003. She served as the Chairman of CTAM’s Quality Committee from 2005-2007 and received a national CTAM Rainmaker Award as part of her efforts in securing industry standardization around metadata. Her 20+ year career in telecommunications also includes roles at Showtime, iNDemand, and Vubiquity.
Ms. Brown holds a B.A. from Auburn University and an MBA from Georgia State University. She lives in Atlanta with her husband Kirk and son Quinlan. When she isn’t delving into content, she can be found sharing her amateur photography skills for many organizations.
Caroline Brown
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BBC
Rita Parker
With over 25 years of leadership experience in operations, sales, marketing and customer experience, Rita is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Access Corporation where she is responsible for the development and execution of alliances that provide incremental strategic growth. Prior to this role, Rita ran one of the largest P&L’s for Access as the head of Operations for the Georgia Territory. Rita developed and executed a strategic roadmap that led to enhanced operational efficiencies, improved client satisfaction and revenue growth.
Rita has in-depth leadership experience as a transformational executive who has held key positions with several leading Fortune 500 companies including Iron Mountain, Harland Clarke, and Verizon. She is a known for her integrity, ability to deliver results, and inspirational leadership.
Rita is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she had held various roles in leadership and served as Vice President responsible for all programmatic development and execution. She is also a member of the National Black MBA Association and a former Board Member of the Hedera Foundation where she served as Vice President and Treasurer.
Rita holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science from Mercer University and resides in the Atlanta area with her husband (Dewitt) and has two children Miles and Erin.
Rita Parker
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Access Corporation
Kofi Acquaah-Arhin
Kofi Acquaah-Arhin
Abbott
Katherine Alexander
Katherine joined BCG in February 2022 as an IT Consultant in the Chicago office focusing on technology strategy and digital transformation. Prior to BCG, her background includes consulting experience in benefits and cloud-based software implementation for complex large enterprise companies. She has experience within Retail, Professional Services, and Healthcare clients. Katherine specializes in bringing an optimistic attitude to the team, establishing credibility with clients and being real in tough conversations. She is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get work done! Katherine holds a BS in Marketing with a sales emphasis and a double minor in Communications and Human Resource Management from Clemson University.
In her free time, Katherine loves to travel and explore the outdoors. Her hobbies include volunteering, playing tennis, and walking her dog! She has always been passionate about mentoring and developing the youth. During college, Katherine was a team leader for a youth ministry called YoungLife, where she planned gatherings and mentored High School girls. Katherine continues to support the Atlanta YoungLife team by fundraising and assisting with events. Prior to moving to Chicago, she was a member of Junior League of Atlanta and volunteered at Grady Hospital’s Rape Crisis Center for over 2 years.
Katherine is excited to contribute her passion for supporting and educating young women through GirlTalk!
Katherine Alexander
BCG
Rebecca Cenni-Leventhal
CEO, Atrium
Rebecca Cenni-Leventhal is Founder and CEO of Atrium, a WBENC-certified leader in Talent Solutions and Extended Workforce Management. For more than 25 years, her firm has offered specialized talent services and custom workforce solutions that have provided the world’s largest brands access to top contingent talent and helped organizations optimize their extended workforce programs to maximize results. Her story is, and always has been, inspired by her passion for people. This passion continues to grow not only through nurturing talent within her own organization, but also through mentorship work with Girl Talk Inc. Rebecca has been honored multiple times on the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) Global Power 150 list, and the firm has consistently been featured as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies in North America by the Women’s President’s Organization. Atrium is recognized as a champion of supplier diversity, topping the lists of Inc. 5000 and DiversityBusiness.com as a leader of Women, Diversity and Privately Held organizations. Rebecca’s devotion to people is demonstrated by Atrium’s most recent recognition from SIA as one of the 2023 Best Staffing Firms to Work For, as well as being listed by Crain’s New York Business as one of 2022’s Best Places to Work.
Rebecca Cenni-Leventhal
Atrium
Alicia Crewey
Alicia Crewey is a Client File Lead at Alight Solutions serving as a subject matter expert for data files and managing the technology development efforts for clients.
Alicia has prior experience as a high school mathematics teacher, volunteer trainer, college advisor and mentor, and director of a nonprofit. She thrives off using her skills to help others become stronger in their own roles and giving back to the community.
Alicia is an active events coordinator for the Alight Women's Professional Network and serves with several volunteering organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Georgia Gwinnett College and a Master of Business in Actuarial Science from Georgia State University. Alicia completed the Gwinnett Young Professionals Journey Leadership Institute in 2022.
Alicia Crewey
Alight Solutions
John Duffey
John Duffey is currently Vice President for U.S. Specialty at AbbVie. He leads a combined organization of more than 1,400 employees and contractors across multiple therapeutic areas including Virology, Hepatology, Endo-Metabolics, Specialty products and Women’s Health. In his previous role, John served as Vice President, U.S. Hepatology and Virology. With over 30 years of experience leading complex businesses across the pharmaceutical value chain, he is highly-respected for his proven ability to unite diverse businesses in pursuit of a singular common vision through transformation and elevation of organizational culture.
John Duffey
AbbVie
Erin Floyd
Erin Floyd presently holds the position of Senior Vice President/Area Leader II at Truist Bank, overseeing multiple branches in the North Georgia and Atlanta Region with notable success. Concurrently, she assumes the role of Georgia Regional Co-Chair for Women at Truist, dedicating her efforts to empowering and advancing women in their professional journeys. Additionally, Erin is deeply engaged in various non-profit initiatives, serving on the boards of Millionaire Master Mind Academy, Girl Talk Inc, and Real-Life Impact, each committed to fostering empowerment and growth within marginalized communities.
As a mentor and advocate, Erin commits considerable time to supporting emerging leaders, offering valuable insights and guidance for personal and professional development. Her ACTIVATE Mentorship program stands as a testament to her commitment to helping individuals realize their fullest potential and purpose. Erin is a minister, public speaker and coach who is known for her bright light, powerful teachings and her ability to provide humor, candor and understanding to the hearer.
Beyond her corporate and philanthropic endeavors, Erin is the founder of DEEZ Cosmetics, a women's empowerment cosmetic line designed to instill confidence and self-love through affirmations integrated into each product. Alongside her husband Jason, Erin is an active member of the metro Atlanta community, where they reside with their five children. For more information about Erin's initiatives and contributions, please visit www.erinfloydministries.org and www.deez-cosmetics.com. www.linkedin.com/in/erin-floyd-successful1
Erin Floyd
Truist
Jordan Morrison
Jordan Morrison
Cox Automotive
Jeannie Smith
Vice President with LocumTenens.com
Jeannie Smith is a graduate from the University of Georgia- Terry College of Business with a B.A. Degree in Business Management. She currently serves as Associate Vice President with LocumTenens.com, a Jackson Healthcare Company, located in Alpharetta, GA, with whom she’s been since 2006. She began as a physician recruiter in the radiology division before transitioning to sales within the government division, where she managed contacts for entities such as Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and Indian Health Services throughout the United States. In 2011 she supported the launch of the permanent placement division and in 2013 was promoted to a manager in the psychiatry division, one of the longest-running specialties at LocumTenens.com, and where she still manages to this day in her position as Associate Vice President.
In her current role, Jeannie leads a team of recruiters who staff psychiatrists (MD/DOs) and psychologists in Community Mental Health Organizations, as well as large- and small-scale hospital systems located throughout the U.S. She is dedicated to training and development and spearheads projects within the organization that hone in on developing the teams so they can successfully expand their brand and market presence. She also has a passion for innovation. She has led several projects that focus on enhancing the customer experience while identifying creative solutions to increase workflow efficiencies. Additional responsibilities include managing workflow processes for her division’s national hospital systems and serving as a communication liaison for the production and operations teams.
In addition to her work, Jeannie has also been passionate about empowering women and children, as well as giving back to her community. Throughout her college years, she served in local community programs for children in the Athens area. She has participated as a volunteer through HandsOnAtlanta and had the opportunity through LocumTenens.com to take part in several community service projects such as Ronald McDonald House, City of Refuge, North Fulton Charities, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Foster Care Support Foundation. In 2014, Jeannie served alongside several talented physicians as part of Predisan, a medical mission in Honduras. Her organization recruits a surgical brigade to assist local patients needing medical care. Prior to that, she completed a mission trip with FCA to the Dominican Republic where she spent time with children in the local villages and orphanages.
Jeannie most recently graduated from the Atlanta Women’s Foundation Inspire program, which focuses on the fundamentals of fundraising for low income women and girls in the Atlanta area. She is proud to have recently been voted to join the board of Girl Talk, a philanthropic organization centered around peer-to-peer mentorship, leadership, growth and development for young girls!
Jeannie Smith
LocumTenens.com
Anna Collins
Aishini Thiyagarajan
Aishini Thiyagarajan is currently a Product Manager in Immunology at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Johnson and Johnson (J&J). She is a part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Leadership Development Program (JPLDP), a comprehensive rotational program designed to create future marketing and commercial leaders through a variety of experiences and learning opportunities across Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In her current role, Aishini serves as the Janssen Business Lead for the Gastroenterology Field Reimbursement Access Specialist (FRAS) Team. She is responsible for creating and driving the strategic business priorities for her team and developing training and resources for all the FRAS teams in Immunology. Outside of her role, Aishini sits on the Immunology Culture Team which helps to shape the overall culture within Immunology. She is also a Peer Mentor for the incoming class of JPLDP interns and is involved with the External Vendor Committee, one of many committees that helps to plan for the Leadership Development Summit hosted by J&J every summer. Aishini loves being a part of the UNC Core Recruiting team for the JPLDP program and is passionate about bringing diverse talent to the company. Additionally, she is a member of the Women’s Leadership & Inclusion (WLI) ERG and South Asian Professional Network Association (SAPNA) ERG.
Prior to Janssen, Aishini worked at Deloitte & Touché LLP for over four years in the Life Sciences and Healthcare Practice where she served a multitude of Provider, Health Plan and Life Sciences clients. At Deloitte, Aishini provided Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Strategy Support for large health plans, served as a program monitoring contractor for a large government agency, and conducted clinical performance and payment model alignment support for large health systems. Prior to Deloitte, Aishini had multiple internships within healthcare including: The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Booz Allen and Hamilton, and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Aishini holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Policy Analysis and Management and Human Development from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. Aishini is a native of the Washington D.C. DMV area, but has lived in various cities along the East Coast.