Board of Directors
Claire Arnold
CEO
Leapfrog IT Services
Joe Arnold
Retired Senior Vice President and Group Leader
Truist Financial Corp.
Dr. Tim Renick
Executive Director
National Institute for Student Success
Dr. Greg Vaughn
Leadership Consultant
Spencer Stuart
Kathy Waller
Executive Director
Atlanta Committee for Progress
Staff
President/Executive Director
What brings me to this work?
I’m driven by the belief that every child deserves a great school and is on a path to postsecondary success.Â
Cheryl Watson-Harris is an exceptional educator, administrator, and community leader with three decades of experience in and out of the classroom. She has drawn praise for her innovative leadership style that improves employee engagement and capacity throughout organizations and positively impacts student achievement. Throughout her 30-year career, Dr. Watson-Harris has demonstrated outstanding skills and knowledge of teaching and learning, professional development, and community partnerships that remove barriers to success and create empowering opportunities for children and their families.
Raised in New York City, Dr. Watson-Harris started her teaching career in 1993 in Brooklyn, NY. She served as a principal for 15 years and Network Superintendent at Boston Public Schools. In 2015, she returned to the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) where she rose to First Deputy Chancellor in 2018, the second-in-command of the nation’s largest school district that serves 1.1 million students. In 2020, she became Superintendent of Georgia’s third-largest district, DeKalb County Schools and most recently, Dr. Watson-Harris co-founded Urban School Specialists, a consultancy that provides support and services to large urban districts and executive leadership coaching to education and nonprofit leaders. Dr. Watson-Harris has a wide range of expertise in the college access space. In Boston Public Schools, New York City Department of Education, and DeKalb County School District she strengthened the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiatives within these districts. She’s co-founder of the Girls’ Empowerment Movement (GEM) that empowers girls to own their leadership stories and pave a path to postsecondary opportunities. Â
Dr. Watson-Harris holds degrees from Marymount College/Fordham University and Harvard University, as well as a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from New York University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Jack and Jill of America, and the Links Incorporated. Dr. Watson-Harris is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2025. Although raised in New York City, in 2020 she and her husband put down roots in Metro Atlanta to create an intergenerational home alongside her parents and their five children – a junior in public high school, a junior at Howard University, and a senior at Hampton University. Education is a family affair in the Watson-Harris household as her eldest two “bonus children” are a kindergarten teacher and an IT specialist in the ed-tech space.
Executive Assistant & Office Administrator
What brings me to this work?
I’ve always been passionate about supporting students on their journey to and through postsecondary education—ensuring they have the access, resources, and knowledge to succeed.
Donielle earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Alabama State University and went on to receive her master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. She brings strong organizational skills and a background in nonprofit work and policy to the team. As Executive Assistant & Office Administrator at Achieve Atlanta, she manages executive scheduling and communications, supports organizational planning and logistics, coordinates internal operations, and assists in the smooth execution of key initiatives and events.
Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Donielle served as a legislative aide for two Georgia State Senators and an Urban Leaders Fellow in Oakland, California, where she worked on education policy and supported the California Legislative Black Caucus Youth Program. She has contributed to multiple political campaigns, including races for the Atlanta Board of Education and Oakland City Council At-Large. Donielle also worked for three years as a Program Coordinator at The Scholarship Academy, where she supported college access initiatives and nonprofit operations.
Executive Vice President, Programs
What brings me to this work?
Engaging in mission-driven work is a must for me. I absolutely love bridging the worlds of education and organizational development to create sustainable results for students.
Susanne earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Spelman College and her doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Rutgers University. As Executive Vice President (EVP), Programs, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for College Access, College Success, Scholarship and Affordability, and Career Support initiatives. As a key senior leadership team member, she oversees the strategic direction and operational implementation of programs designed to support Scholars, guiding them from college access to career success. Prior to this role, Susanne served as the Vice President, College Success for the past 9 years.
Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Susanne was a consultant in the Human Capital and Change Management practice at The North Highland Company and has held various leadership roles as an Organizational Development practitioner for over 20 years throughout her career. With over 30 years of progressively accountable experience as an internal and external consultant, Susanne has served as a thought partner and trusted advisor to every level of leader, from supervisor to executive, in the healthcare, corporate, nonprofit, and education sectors. In addition to her role at Achieve Atlanta, Susanne is an adjunct associate professor in the Leadership Studies Department at Mercer University.
Vice President, Advancement & External Affairs
What brings me to this work?
I find purpose working with organizations that offer life-changing impact through the power of education. Achieve Atlanta skillfully brings resources and support to students at a critical time in their lives and in doing so, nurtures the next generation of successful, prosperous Atlantans. I am naturally drawn to the team and its mission!
Shannon has used her passion for nonprofit service and volunteerism to fuel a career centered around strengthening health, education and community services. Committed to the belief that successful communities thrive when its residents are supported through care of the whole person, Shannon’s work in the greater Atlanta community has spanned many issue areas including public education policy and at-risk women and children. She is also a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2024.
Before joining the Achieve Atlanta team, she served as the Vice President of Advancement at Atlanta Technical College and the Executive Director of the Atlanta Technical College Foundation. Shannon led the foundation through record growth, raising more than $6 million during her three-year tenure.
She actively supports the Atlanta community by serving as an appointed trustee and treasurer of the Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority, owner of the Grady Health System. Shannon is a past member of the Young Men’s Service League, Milton Chapter and a sustaining member of National Charity League, Milton Chapter, where she served as president of the board of directors. She is a past member of the Junior League of Atlanta Board of Directors, serving terms in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Shannon also served on the Soaring Hawks Foundation Board of Directors, a 501c3 she helped create to better support her community elementary school. The foundation continues to help supplement the Title 1 elementary school’s budget by taping into a robust network of community businesses and other stakeholders to provide a rich learning environment for every student.
Shannon earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University in Forth Worth, Texas.
Vice President, Growth & Impact
What brings me to this work?
In today’s world, a postsecondary degree is a key to opportunity, but too many students from low-income backgrounds fall short of earning a degree, often due to barriers outside the classroom. I’m grateful to serve in an organization that’s committed to removing those barriers and supporting students’ path to upward mobility.
As Vice President, Growth & Impact, Sam leads the expansion of the Achieve Atlanta Scholarship within Metro Atlanta. In addition, he oversees the organization’s research and evaluation efforts to measure the impact of its core model and the expansion, ensuring those learnings strengthen how Achieve Atlanta serves students and inform the broader college access and success field. As part of his role, he serves as an affiliated fellow with Georgia Policy Labs at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies in a research-practice partnership to evaluate and strengthen Achieve Atlanta’s impact. Previously, Sam led the organization’s data strategy, systems/operations, and marketing/communications functions, partnering with program teams to execute strategy and enable the organization to accomplish its mission.
Prior to Achieve Atlanta, he served as Deputy Director for Research, Policy, and Accountability with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, where he oversaw the agency’s data and research agenda to inform state-level education policy decisions and provide accessible education data to stakeholders. A Georgia native, Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgia College and a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He started his career as a high school math teacher in the Louisiana Recovery School District through the teachNOLA Fellows Program.
Vice President, Policy
What brings me to this work?
A college degree can be life changing. Our students inspire me every day, and I am so lucky to work at an organization committed to supporting young people to achieve their dreams!
As Vice President, Policy, Korynn develops and leads the organization’s policy and advocacy functions, shaping the organization’s approach to influence systemic changes that advance postsecondary enrollment, student success, and upward mobility. Previously, Korynn built the organization’s College Access and Scholarship & Affordability programs, partnering internally and externally to support Atlanta students to pursue their college aspirations. Prior to Achieve Atlanta, Korynn served as Director of School Governance & Flexibility with Fulton County Schools. She was responsible for the district’s implementation of the charter system framework. As a Strategic Data Fellow, she worked with school and district leaders on understanding postsecondary metrics and supporting student transitions from high school to college. In that role, she also co-developed a widely recognized summer college-going assistance program.
Korynn brings significant education policy and advocacy experience, having served as the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council’s first Policy and Advocacy Manager and as Chief of Staff for Massachusetts State Representative Alice K. Wolf. Korynn graduated from Duke University with bachelor’s degrees in public policy and women’s studies and earned her master’s in public policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Vice President, Strategic Operations
What brings me to this work?
I am a leader who “dares greatly.” I believe leadership is an act of service and courage. I am committed to building cultures for youth development and educational organizations that allow room for innovation and problem-solving to create efficiencies. The goal is to work smarter together than harder separately to ensure young people have every opportunity to succeed.
Kimberly earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia, her master’s degree in Urban Policy Studies from Georgia State University, and her doctorate in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As the Vice President, Strategic Operations, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for strategic planning, data analytics and insights, operations, and people. As a key senior leadership team member, Kimberly helps shape the strategic direction, drive sustainable growth, and impact for Achieve Atlanta.
Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Kimberly was the Lead Director, Program Impact and Insights with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and spent seven years as the Chief Strategy and Programs Officer with Communities In Schools (CIS) Atlanta. With history in higher education and nonprofits, Kimberly brings experience as a strategist, thought partner, leader for high-performing teams, and data-driven decision maker.
In addition to her professional roles, Kimberly has served as a board member for The Main Street Charter School, and as a mentor and board member for B’Fly Girls Mentoring. You can often catch her on the Georgia 6A High School Basketball circuit supporting her husband, who serves as head coach for the Newton High School Boys Basketball team.
Senior Director, College Access
What brings me to this work?
Access is power. By creating more points of access, more students will be able to realize their postsecondary goals and dreams. I am fueled by my passion for education, social impact, and sustainable partnerships.
Femi Johnson joins Achieve Atlanta as the first Senior Director, College Access. Femi most recently served as a Program Manager with the National Math and Science Initiative where she supported 45 schools in the Southeastern region of the US with strategic planning and program support. Femi started her career as a classroom teacher, teaching both English and Special Education. Femi earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College and has M.Ed.s in Special Education and Secondary Education from Arcadia University.
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
What brings me to this work?
I am a results-driven communicator and appreciate how Achieve Atlanta is also results-driven and determined to increase college access and completion for Atlanta’s students. I believe in our students and share our organization’s vision for educational equity.
Born in Atlanta, Vett is passionate about improving educational equity in the city. Vett guides the organization’s comprehensive communication strategy and stewards Achieve Atlanta’s brand such that it represents both impact and influence in the educational equity and access to opportunity spaces. Vett has experience in strategic communications, public engagement, digital communications, and photography in both government and nonprofit sectors. She earned her B.S. in Literature, Media, and Communications and her M.S. in Public Policy, with concentrations in Education and Health Policy, from Georgia Tech. Vett also earned a Spanish minor and speaks Spanish. Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Vett was the Director of Communications at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. She has worked in the communications offices at the University System of Georgia, the City of Atlanta, and the Office of the Governor.
Vett is a graduate of the 2017-2018 GPEE Education Policy Fellowship Program, and was selected by the Atlanta Regional Commission as one of 55 community leaders to join the 2018 Regional Leadership Institute. She was also named as one of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta (YNPN) 30 Leaders Under 30. Vett is a graduate of the 2024 Class of LEAD Atlanta.Â
Senior Director, Career & Affordability
What brings me to this work?
I am passionate about empowering students to achieve their career goals. By providing comprehensive career readiness support, we enhance their professional prospects and contribute to their upward economic mobility, positively impacting their families and communities.
Taylor Pratt is the Senior Director, Career Supports, at Achieve Atlanta, where he leads the development and implementation of career readiness initiatives. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce, ensuring Scholars are well-prepared for successful careers. For the past three years, Taylor served as the Director, External Impact, at Achieve Atlanta, collaborating with external partners and workforce groups to expand the organization’s reach and effectiveness.
Before his tenure at Achieve Atlanta, Taylor was an elementary school principal, where he spearheaded turnaround efforts to improve academic, social/emotional, and behavioral outcomes. His career in education also includes roles as an assistant principal and classroom teacher. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in multicultural and ethical educational leadership from Kennesaw State University.
Senior Director, Systems & Operations
What brings me to this work?
I joined this work with the belief that “One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.” This work is a continuation of making that belief reality.
William earned his MBA from Boston University and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. As Achieve Atlanta’s Senior Director of Systems and Operations, he partners closely with staff and organizational leadership to drive operational excellence, strengthen systems, and ensure the infrastructure needed to support Achieve Atlanta’s mission.
Prior to this role, William served as a Teach for America corps member and spent several years teaching in Fulton County Schools. Born and raised in Atlanta, he is committed to advancing educational opportunity in his hometown.
Senior Director, Data Analytics & Insights
What brings me to this work?
A postsecondary education is the gateway to a successful livelihood. I am driven to serve students by helping them reach their potential and fulfill their dreams.
Sweta earned a BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies at Emory University and a MA in Education Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University. As Senior Director of Data, Analytics, & Insights, Sweta is responsible for managing and analyzing data to inform organizational and program decisions. Prior to this role, Sweta worked at the Dallas Independent School District in the Human Capital Management department as the Data & Design Manager. During her time in Dallas, she managed all human capital systems and data for the district and designed processes to improve overall talent strategy. Previously, Sweta was a First to the Top Fellow at the Tennessee Department of Education and served as a Teach For America Corps Member in Washington, DC. With a passion to serve her community and transform educational systems, Sweta has been active with multiple organizations including Leadership for Educational Equity, Dallas Mayor’s Star Council, and Leadership ISD.
Director, College Success
What brings me to this work?
I have a deep-rooted commitment to ensuring students not only dream big, but also access the resources, relationships, and systems they need to bring those dreams to life. I believe in the power of strategic partnerships to multiply impact, and I’m energized by the opportunity to drive meaningful outcomes for students right here in Atlanta—where place-based collaboration can open doors and expand possibilities.
Yarbrah earned her undergraduate degree in Business Management and Master of Business Administration from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in Higher Education from Florida State University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia. As Director, College Success at Achieve Atlanta, she leads the organization’s college persistence and completion efforts. In this role, Yarbrah is responsible for leveraging insights from data and stakeholder input to continuously refine and strengthen Achieve Atlanta’s strategy for partnering with postsecondary institutions and nonprofit providers through its coordinated action model, with the goal of ensuring every Achieve Atlanta Scholar persists through college and earns a meaningful credential.
Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Yarbrah served as Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at Leadership for Educational Equity and held multiple senior leadership roles at the College Advising Corps over a span of four years. Throughout her 20-year career in college access and success, she has led teams, developed high-impact programs, and advanced equity-focused strategies across both higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to her role at Achieve Atlanta, Yarbrah is also a speaker, consultant, and leadership coach, focused on developing purpose-driven leaders and sustainable systems that advance student success.
Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation
What brings me to this work?
I’m drawn to this work because I believe in the power of research and data to drive equitable outcomes for students. I’m energized by the opportunity to support Achieve Atlanta’s mission to increase postsecondary access and success for Atlanta students.
Janelle holds a PhD in Educational Policy Studies and an M.S. in Urban Policy Studies from Georgia State University. She received a B.A. in Political Science from Emory University. She has conducted research and evaluation studies focused on early childhood education, K–12 education, college and career readiness, and workforce development. She is particularly interested in using research evidence to expand access to high-quality supports and interventions, with expertise in mixed-methods research and critical quantitative approaches. As the Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation, Janelle conducts research, program evaluation, and statistical modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of programmatic interventions with Scholars and build evidence for Achieve Atlanta’s impact.
Prior to Achieve Atlanta, she served as a Senior Research Associate with the Education Development Center (EDC), where she supported the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands in building the capacity of educators and policymakers to use research to make evidence-based decisions.
Senior Manager, Strategic Operations & Engagement
What brings me to this work?
Driven by her passion for educational equity and community engagement, Nichelle is a dedicated advocate for enhancing student and community outcomes through increased educational opportunities and equitable access to resources.
With a strong educational background, Nichelle firmly believes that education shapes our destiny and transforms communities. Before joining Achieve Atlanta as Manager, Operations in 2021, she spent several years as a Middle School Math educator after serving as a 2014 Teach For America Corps member.
As Senior Manager, Strategic Operations and Engagement, Nichelle supports the organization’s strategic goals by managing special projects, program support, and partnership and engagement initiatives. Beyond her role at Achieve Atlanta, Nichelle is active in education policy and advocacy work and serves as a community organizer, holding leadership positions in several local organizations.
Nichelle is a graduate of the University of Florida and is originally from Miami, FL, where she began her career in education. Nichelle now resides in the Metro Atlanta area, continuing her efforts to bridge the gap in educational equity for marginalized students and communities.
Senior Manager, College Success
What brings me to this work?
From personal experience, I know what it’s like for people to not believe in you. It took one person to believe in me for me to get to school and because of that one person I have had the opportunity to gain my education. Now, I want to show my unwavering belief in all of Atlanta’s students.
Bria Price received her Masters of Public Policy in Education Policy from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Wooster. As the manager of the College Success Program she will serve as the liaison between secondary and postsecondary partners to promote relationships and support seamless enrollment and college persistence for scholars. Prior to this role Bria worked for City Year Washington, D.C. as an Impact Manager, and as a Program Associate for the Eli J. and Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program.
An Atlanta native, Bria is excited to return home to invest in economic growth in the city through education access and equity for its scholars.
Manager, Marketing & Communications
What brings me to this work?
Throughout my high school and college experiences, I saw firsthand the stark differences in the resources and support available to students and how those disparities shaped their college enrollment, persistence, and career trajectories. Those experiences continue to drive my commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to the resources they need to thrive. At Achieve Atlanta, I’m excited to be part of the solutions and contribute to work that expands postsecondary success and supports students on their path to upward mobility.
Jedaiah Daniels is a proud graduate of Savannah State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an MBA. During her time at Savannah State, she was a middle hitter on the Women’s Volleyball Team and served as team captain for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Before joining Achieve Atlanta, Jedaiah worked as a Marketing Manager at a full‑service marketing agency. She brings experience in strategic communications, public relations, digital marketing, and community engagement, along with a passion for elevating impactful stories and connecting audiences to impactful work. In her role at Achieve Atlanta, she leverages these strengths to amplify the organization’s mission and support students as they pursue their postsecondary goals.
Manager, Data Analysis
What brings me to this work?
I grew up in Atlanta and saw firsthand how access to education can shape a person’s future—or limit it. I wanted to use my data skills to support a mission I believe in, and I’m grateful to work at an organization that’s focused on expanding opportunities for students.
Brian graduated from Emory University in 2024 with a BBA in Strategy & Management Consulting and Quantitative Sciences. As Manager, Data Analysis at Achieve Atlanta, he manages the organization’s internal data systems and analytical processes to support strategic and programmatic decisions. He oversees database maintenance, builds and updates Tableau dashboards, and collaborates across teams to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and aligned with organizational goals. Brian also works closely with internal and external partners to streamline data sharing, maintain data quality, and deliver insights that help track student outcomes and inform key decisions.
Manager, College Access
What brings me to this work?
My unwavering desire to be the support that I needed as a young person drives me to fully commit to this work every day. As a first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented student, I intimately understand the uncertainty that comes with the pursuit of higher education and opportunities that often feel out of reach. At the same time, as I continue to grow in my professional career, I recognize the incredible benefits that come from access to higher education and the pathways it creates for upward mobility. My personal and professional experiences continuously drive my passion for empowering others on their journeys.
Kianna received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in communications from Jacksonville State University, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Mercer University. She got her start in college access as a College Advisor at Maynard Jackson High School, where she assisted juniors and seniors with the college application lifecycle and worked as a beta-tester for Achieve Atlanta’s Match and Fit List Builder. Kianna went on to advise college seniors for three years at Georgia State University before returning to college access work here at Achieve Atlanta as the Manager, College Access.
Manager, Policy & Strategic Projects
What brings you to this work?
My mom is an immigrant who came to the U.S. from Cuba when she was only 10 days old and grew up with next to nothing. She relied on financial aid programs like the Pell Grant and other scholarships to afford college and earn her teaching degree, and she recently retired after 30 years in the classroom. She is a shining example of what success and upward mobility look like when we invest in our students who need it most. I do this work for her, along with all the students in Georgia like her.
Melanie started her career in education in 2021 in Chattanooga, TN, with Teach for America, where she taught 6th grade English-Language Arts for two years in an urban, Title I school and earned her M.Ed in Instructional Practice before going on to teach gifted education and AP Human Geography to high schoolers at a performing arts magnet school. To this day, this experience of teaching in two starkly different environments, where students had inequitable access to education and resources, grounded her in a desire to expand opportunity for students and families in underserved communities and pushed her to explore ways to impact the education system on a broader scale.
In 2024, Melanie was selected for a Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) policy fellowship position at Atlanta Public Schools, where she worked with the Strategy & Governance Department to provide compliance support to the district’s GO Teams and developed a research project and policy recommendation focused on a holistic approach to school closures. She then worked as a substitute teacher for APS, where she spent time in classrooms across every single grade level, bearing witness to joy and resilience of Atlanta’s students and teachers, even in the face of persistent inequities.
In 2025, Melanie was selected for another LEE policy fellowship, this time working with Achieve Atlanta; during this time, she led the growth of a statewide grassroots coalition focused on college affordability and supported advocacy work that directly contributed to the passage of the DREAMS Scholarship, the state’s first-of-its-kind need-based aid program. She was also accepted to Georgia State University’s graduate program at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, where she intends to earn her Master of Public Policy with a specialization in Urban Education.
At the closure of her fellowship, she was invited to stay on full-time as a member of the Achieve Atlanta Policy Team, where she works to remove systemic barriers so that more students in Georgia can access, afford, and earn a postsecondary credential. Motivated by a deep belief that policy should both improve people’s everyday lives and be informed by those closest to the issue, she brings a collaborative, research-informed approach to solving complex challenges. In her free time, Melanie–or Mel, as her friends and family call her–can be found at her local yoga studio, exploring Atlanta’s food and beverage scene, or watching TV with her husband and their three 3 fur babies at home.
Manager, Systems
What brings me to this work?
By leveraging my data and research skills to support Achieve Atlanta’s mission, I contribute to equitable outcomes and help students realize their potential—positively impacting their families and communities.
Dan is a born-and-raised Georgia native who graduated with a BS in Communication from Kennesaw State University. He has extensive expertise in system architecture, automation, and user-centric solutions. Most recently, Dan served as a Salesforce Administrator at Revere Medical, where he led the development and maintenance of their Salesforce platform.
Manager, Scholarship & Affordability
What brings me to this work?
I am fortunate to have had a community that provided opportunities and support for me to navigate through my educational journey, and I often think about my peers who were as gifted as I was but lacked the opportunities and support. For Atlanta’s next generation, I want to work on behalf of the talented students that are pursuing their dreams, providing them with community support.
Thomas Smith joined Achieve Atlanta as a Scholarship & Affordability Program Associate and is now the Manager. In this role, he collaborates with scholars to provide support to prospective and current scholars and their families.
Following his graduation from Morehouse College with a BA in Sociology, Thomas settled in Atlanta being his career in college access and success. As a college advisor, he has the opportunity to assist seniors with the college application process at Frederick Douglass and Benjamin E. Mays High School. He then transitioned to serving Achieve Atlanta scholars as a College Coach with Beyond12. Thomas is continuing his education at Georgia State University, working on a master’s degree in the Social Foundations of Education. His research interests focus on the experiences of first-generation college student and the distribution of social and cultural capital.
Associate, College Success
What brings me to this work?
As an Atlanta native and proud graduate of Atlanta Public Schools, this work is close to home for me. I am passionate about helping young people navigate obstacles and challenges to realize their true potential and learn to move with purpose and intention. I am thrilled to be joining the team at Achieve Atlanta to champion the students and Scholars we have the privilege of serving.
Montanez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Bard College in New York, where he was selected as a Posse Scholar—an honor that reflects leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to community. These values continue to shape his professional approach as an Associate, College Success. Montanez supports Scholar outreach and coaching, leads college success programming, and contributes to the overall program administration. He is passionate about helping students navigate their college journeys, and dedicated to fostering environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed
With over 10 years of experience in youth development, Montanez has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector in Metro Atlanta as a Program Coordinator, revitalizing programs and leading youth-focused initiatives. His professional strengths span coaching and mentoring, team and program management, student recruitment, data collection, relationship building, and creative problem solving. Most recently, he brought his creative talents to the classroom as a harp instructor, further enriching his experience working with young people in diverse settings.
Associate, Scholarship Operations
What brings me to this work?
My own lived experience is what brings me to this work. As a first-generation student from an underrepresented and underfunded community, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate higher education without access to consistent guidance, financial support, or even a clear path forward. I’m passionate about helping students reach opportunities they may have once believed were impossible. Being able to help remove financial obstacles and reinforce students’ belief in their own potential is incredibly meaningful to me.
Leilani graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies from Kennesaw State University, minoring in both Korean and Linguistics. Her role as Associate, Scholarship Operations provides support by reviewing applications for eligibility, serving as a key point of contact for students, improving operational processes, and ensuring timely access to scholarship and grant funding for prospective and current Scholars. Prior to joining Achieve Atlanta, she served as a College Advisor with Georgia State University’s College Advising Corps at three different APS schools: Phoenix Academy, South Atlanta High School, and Booker T. Washington High School. During her time in APS she was able to implement efficient, student-centered processes that improved service delivery, strengthened cross-team collaboration, and supported consistent outcomes.Â
Associate, College Success
What brings me to this work?
Education equity, in particular, has become extremely important to me, as it can be a powerful lever for opportunity and long-term success. I believe every student deserves access to an educational experience that not only prepares them to thrive but also empowers them to move towards personal liberation.
Khamaya received her Master of Social Work degree from Georgia State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Winthrop University. She joins the Achieve Atlanta team as an Associate, College Success, and provides direct support to Scholars as they navigate their college journey. She also partners with postsecondary institutions to connect Scholars to resources that encourage persistence and college success. Khamaya strives to be a mobilizer, understanding that collaboration is required on every level to make a collective impact.
Prior to her role at Achieve Atlanta, Khamaya started as a peer tutor during her undergraduate career and moved into roles that focused on students and communities, including impactful programming that prioritized long-term results and sustainability. When Khamaya is not focused on breaking barriers, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and trying new foods.
Associate, Scholarship Operations
What brings me to this work?
I am drawn to this work because I can use my data skills in a meaningful way, and be a small part of a very large mission. I believe having a good education is a necessity both for upward socioeconomic mobility, and for leading a fulfilling life.Â
William was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia and a master’s degree in applied economics from Boston College. At Boston College, William specialized in data science and analytics. As the Associate, Scholarship Operations, William will support Scholars through the scholarship application process to disbursement of funds. This key role will review applications for eligibility, serve as a point of contact for students, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that prospective and current Scholars can access scholarship and grant funding in a timely manner.
Program Associate, Scholarship & Affordability
What brings me to this work?
All students deserve access and support to achieve their dreams, regardless of their background. I am driven to help students reach their full potential and help bridge the gap towards postsecondary success for underserved groups.
O’Tejah was born in Ontario, Canada, and her strong Jamaican heritage inspires her to work hard and dream big. She grew up mostly in McDonough, Georgia, graduating 3rd in her class from Henry County High School. O’Tejah received her B.S. with honors in Industrial Design from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Not long after she served as a college adviser at North Atlanta High School, where she had the opportunity to start new school traditions, empathize with mixed-status families, dispel financial aid myths, and help students reach their goals. As a Program Associate, Scholarship & Affordability for Achieve Atlanta, she’s excited to continue to make a positive impact on young lives!