(From left to right): Jay Patel, JMS Family Office; Jonathan Holmes, Founder/Advisor, Mighty 8th; Bradley Sienkiewicz, Doeren Mayhew; Ruthann Savage, Savage Dynamics Consulting; Tanya L. Turner, Salto Systems; Addam Taussig, Touchmark National Bank; Abbie Powell, MST; Matthew Yarbrough, Council for Quality Growth; Deirdra Cox, Gwinnett Chamber Foundation; Kristy Hunter, United Community Bank; Hamidah Ajani, Amazing Energy Solutions; Cole Porter, Porter Steel; Aysha Abdullatif, Spherion Atlanta; Sara Irvani, Oka Brands; Deven Cason, Georgia Power; Erika Bridges, Mall of Georgia; Jue Wang, T. Dallas Smith; and Tasha Allen, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
DULUTH, Ga. (January 20, 2026) – The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation has announced its 2026 Board of Directors, advancing its mission to accelerate small business growth and long-term sustainability.
Building on strong momentum in 2025, the Foundation expanded its portfolio of impact through new and enhanced programs designed to meet business owners where they are and help them grow with intention. Most notably, the Small Business Impact Institute was expanded to both certify businesses and deliver an Accelerator Training program, equipping certified companies with the tools and strategies needed to leverage their credentials for growth, supply-chain access, and contracting opportunities.
The Foundation also introduced Grow–Thrive–Repeat and Honoring Legacies & Empowering Leaders, two educational program series designed to connect entrepreneurs with leaders who have successfully built, scaled, and sustained businesses across generations. These programs provided business owners direct access to lived experience, practical guidance, and peer-to-peer learning focused on long-term success and legacy building.
In 2025, the Foundation hosted its first-ever Power of Impact Gala, welcoming more than 125 business and community leaders to celebrate impact, honor champions of small business, and graduate the second cohort of 12 business owners who completed the Certification and Accelerator training programs.
Additional milestones included a new partnership with the City of Suwanee to launch the Mind Your Business education series, expanding access to local, practical business education, as well as securing a Google Nonprofit Ad Grant, providing up to $120,000 annually in awareness and outreach campaigns to elevate the Foundation’s mission and programs.
The 2026 Board of Directors includes Matthew Yarbrough, Council for Quality Growth(Chair); Nick Masino, Gwinnett Chamber (Executive Board); Deven Cason, Georgia Power (Vice Chair); Kristy Hunter, United Community Bank; Aysha Abdullatif, Spherion Atlanta; Hamidah Ajani, Amazing Energy Solutions; Tasha Allen, Georgia Chamber of Commerce; Erika Bridges, Mall of Georgia; Jonathan Holmes, Founder/Advisor Mighty 8th; Sara Irvani, Oka Brands; Lanier Levett, Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory; Jeremy Meeks, QTS Data Centers; Marc Melkerson, Renova Technology; Joy Mitchell, Office Creations; Jay Patel, JMS Family Office; Cole Porter, Porter Steel; Abbie Powell, MST; Ruthann Savage, Savage Dynamics Consulting; Bradley Sienkiewicz, Doeren Mayhew; Grady Smith, Jr., Pond; Addam Taussig, Touchmark National Bank; Tanya L. Turner, Salto Systems; and Jue Wang, T. Dallas Smith & Co.
Nick Masino, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, shared, “The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation continues to evolve in meaningful ways that directly support business owners at every stage of growth. The progress made in 2025 reflects a clear commitment to impact, and I’m confident the 2026 Board will help expand that reach even further.”
Deirdra Cox, Executive Director of the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation, added, “Our work is rooted in access, education, and opportunity. The accomplishments of 2025 are a testament to the dedication of our partners, board members, and business owners who trust us to walk alongside them as they grow. We are deeply grateful to the 2026 Board for their willingness to serve and lead.”