Leadership

Deirdra Cox is Founder and President of Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE). Her 30+ years of CRA Community Development banking and Affordable Housing lending experience equipped has her with the leadership, vision, passion, a circle of influence and depth of knowledge needed to launch CSE in Metro Atlanta in 2016 and expand her community and economic development thought leadership throughout the Southeast.

Deirdra’s uncanny knack to forge impactful collaborative partnerships, that drive local community development efforts, has resulted in multiple cross-collaborative partnerships across the state of Georgia. Deirdra’s Level 5 Leadership style, makes her the ideal Community & Economic Development Strategist, for organizations and entities looking to develop long term business and community development strategies that will positively impact families, businesses and communities in a way that will shift the socioeconomic trajectory of America.

Deirdra is a pioneer in the banking industries CRA-Community Development landscape. Deirdra’s innovative community development efforts resulted in the development and implementation of the first “School-Based Public-Private Partnership” (SBPPP) in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), which produced two full-service financial services centers inside of Meadowcreek and Central Gwinnett High School’s in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Her collaborative efforts have provided access, exposure, and experience to over 17,000 youth and adults to CSE’s “success pillars.”

Aysha Abdullatif is the co-owner of the Northeast Atlanta division of Spherion Staffing & Recruiting. Spherion is the nation’s most awarded staffing agency, alongside carrying the strongest national brand reputation. Aysha and her team place temporary, temp-to-perm, and permanent candidates across a range of industries in the Northeast Georgia community, ranging from but not limited to: non-profits, healthcare, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, education, IT, and legal organizations. 

In 2024, Corporate Vision awarded Spherion as the top recruiting firm in Georgia. Aysha is also the founder of a marketing & communications firm, ayeworld; ayeworld partners with companies to create highly effective communication programs that share the impact of their mission by using data-driven strategies & methodologies. With a background of almost two decades spanning staffing, marketing, and communications, she brings a wealth of experience in talent acquisition across industries and key US markets. 

Her career has taken her to build up organizations while she lived in Seattle, Toronto, New York City, Houston, and San Francisco, before returning to her family roots in Gwinnett to establish Spherion and provide the best-in-class workforce solutions. She believes that effective communication, empathy, and strong relationships are the cornerstones to success in both business and leadership. 

As a Gwinnett native, Aysha is proud to support local economic development efforts through community building. She is most passionate when partnering with businesses across Gwinnett to provide top tier staffing solutions to help their organizations grow from within. She is a requested speaker that has spoken at Oxford University, Kennesaw State University, UPS, CNN, and multiple radio broadcast stations. 

Aysha holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and resides in Lawrenceville with her husband, Nasser, and two children.

Tasha Allen, the Vice President of Talent Management and Diversity for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, oversees all HR functions within the Chamber and its Affiliates. She is responsible for recruiting new talent and developing the existing talent. She also develops and manages Georgia Chamber’s diversity initiatives and strategies across the state. She is an experienced Banker, Certified Human Resource professional and an entrepreneur known for her inclusive approach and transparency in communication.

Her professional career began in Columbus, Georgia working for CB&T (now Synovus), in Retail Banking, Commercial Lending, and the Community Resource Center as the Community Development Manager/CRA Officer. She later moved to Gwinnett County with her family and worked in Gwinnett County public schools for 4 years before transitioning to Chamber work. She is an innovative thinker with a proven track record of fostering traditional and non-traditional business, employee, customer, and community relationships.

Tasha holds an MBA from Troy University and a BBA from the University of Georgia. She and her husband operate an outreach ministry titled “Kicks for Kidz,” which partners with Dicks Sporting Goods. Kicks for Kidz provides brand new school shoes for kids in Gwinnett County Public School system. In her spare time, she is a certified Wilton’s Cake Decorator who loves baking and decorating cakes.

She currently resides in Dacula Georgia with her husband Marlon and their two kids.

Deven Cason serves as the Area Manager for Gwinnett County at Georgia Power. She is responsible for maintaining relationships with Gwinnett’s business and community leaders, local governments, Community Improvement Districts, educational institutions, and elected officials. Deven coordinates operations across all Georgia Power functional areas and ensures high levels of customer service.

Prior to joining Georgia Power, Deven was the Vice President of Economic Development at Partnership Gwinnett. She led a team dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and expanding businesses in five key industries. Her team provided resources and support, including assistance with incentives and permits, networking opportunities, strategic partnerships, site searches, and workforce solutions.

With over thirteen years of experience in economic development and business relations, Deven has developed strong relationships with business experts, real estate professionals, government leaders, and educational partners. She is committed to sharing knowledge about the evolving business environment to support a growing community. Deven also values diversity, collaborating with international businesses and leading mission trips to promote an inclusive economy.

Deven lives in Buford, where she and her family enjoy the cultural diversity and eclectic cuisine of the community. She enjoys traveling and has visited unique destinations such as Japan, Iceland, Egypt, and Greece.

Ms. Jennifer Griffin is married with two children and three grandchildren and a blended family. She loves football, basketball and loves to travel.

Ms. Griffin is currently the Service Line Marketing Consultant at Northside Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology a position she assumed in November 5, 2023. She is responsible for the overall development and execution of marketing strategies to promote and increase awareness of radiation oncology services within the NHCI radiation program. She works closely with the radiation team, including the physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, to understand the unique value proposition of the service and identify target audiences. She has a strong understanding of healthcare marketing principles and experience in developing and executing marketing strategies, radiation oncology services and the ability to communicate complex medical information in a clear and concise manner. She exemplifies strong analytical and project management skills as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams. Additionally, she is responsible for tracking and analyzing the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and making data-driven recommendations for improvement.

She received a diploma for her Licensed Vocational Nursing from Lynnwood Nursing School (California) in 1990, and received her certification as a Breast Health Navigator in 2005. She also completed the Advanced Breast Health Navigator Course in October 2006 and her certification as Patient Navigator with the American Cancer Society July 2009. Ms. Griffin is also a (retired) licensed cosmetologist and appearance specialist. She has a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration – Health Management and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Jennifer is the Co-Founder and former event director of Paint Gwinnett Pink 5K walk/run for breast cancer, and now as the Advisor on the PGP Executive Committee. This event supports our Breast Cancer Fund, Patient Assistance and funds tomosynthesis equipment for Gwinnett Breast and Imaging centers. It has funded over 4 million dollars to date. She has managed a team of 35 committee members. Jennifer has been with Northside Hospital Gwinnett since 2002 (formerly Gwinnett Medical Center), and has worked in many positions. Breast Imaging Procedure Nurse, Breast Health Navigator, Patient Resource Navigator (GMC/ACS) Community Outreach Navigator, Physician Liaison and Sr. Associate Director of Annual Gifts and Special Events at the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation.

She is a member of the Georgia Oncology Nurse Navigators, National Society of Leadership and Success, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, ACCC (Association of Community Cancer Centers), graduate of Glance Gwinnett class of 2016, Gwinnett Senior Leadership class of 2019, Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2023 and LG Alumni Committee member. Serves on the Georgia CORE grant review committee, Georgia CORE strategic planning committee.

Jonathan brings over 35 years of hands-on executive experience in client care, organizational development, brand repositioning, and revenue growth to his leadership at Mighty 8th. But for Jonathan, success doesn’t come from utilizing his expansive professional background but from growing our trademark people-first culture and engaging directly with the community we serve.

Currently, he is a Board and Chairman’s Club Member of the Gwinnett Chamber, a Board Member of Gwinnett Parks Foundation, a Graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, the 2022 LG Alumni Chair, and an investor in Partnership Gwinnett, while also serving on the Board of Visitors of Georgia Gwinnett College and the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation Development Committee.

If it wasn’t clear already, Jonathan’s got a thing for Gwinnettians, and they’ve got a thing for him, too.

One of his most cherished community involvements is as the Board Chair of Artworks Gwinnett. Through Jonathan’s leadership, Artworks has undertaken a Master Plan for Gwinnett’s Creative Economy – growing the Arts, Entertainment, and Technology sector as an economic engine for the county.

Jonathan applies this same approach to each of Mighty 8th’s clients – radical personal investment and an all-in effort to help you best serve your own customers.

When he has time for fun, Jonathan loves attending local art events, going on walks, and spending time with his grandson, Hudson.

Colleen Japuntich is currently serving as the President of NEMA, Inc., an asset-based Logistics Company located in Duluth, GA. Colleen has been with the company for 18 years and she began her career with NEMA as the Administrative Assistant to the Owner and Executive VP. Over her tenure with NEMA, she grew her role and her experience and advanced up the “corporate ladder” in a relatively quick timeline. She became the Executive Assistant after a few years with the company and took on all of the Human Resources Functions. She was then promoted to VP of Operations and took on the role of Project Manager for the Implementation of Truckmate, a Transportation Management System. When the President announced her retirement, Colleen was honored to be named President and took over in June of 2019.

Colleen moved around a lot as a child, a typical “military brat”. Rather than let it get her down, she learned to adapt quickly to change and see opportunities in the challenges of life. Those challenges have driven Colleen to strive for greatness in every role she has embodied – from employee, friend, spouse, mother, daughter, student, boss, leader, you name it. She goes after every challenge/opportunity with integrity, tenacity, extreme organizational skills, and always, a positive attitude.

Colleen has a degree in Accounting and is currently pursing a degree in Business Management with a Supply Chain/Logistics concentration to be able to bring even more of herself and her knowledge to her current role at NEMA. Colleen strives to be a servant leader and to always do what is best for the company she runs and the people who work there. She is constantly reading, attending classes, working with a business coach, and finding ways to be an even better leader, friend, and all-around person.

Her most recent achievement has been running a successful Logistics business during a Global Pandemic, while battling breast cancer. Any one of those challenges are hard enough on their own – but combine all three – what a challenge. But as most things in Colleen’s life – she digs in, gets to work, and overcomes the challenges often beyond anyone’s expectations of her, and sometimes even her own expectations.

Colleen is now a Cancer Survivor and is always eager to lend an ear/heart/hand to anyone newly diagnosed to help them get through the overwhelming news of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. She participates yearly in Gwinnett County’s Relay for Life and plans to lead a team for the 2025 Relay for Life.

Colleen is married, and her husband also works at NEMA, Inc. as the Director of Domestic Operations and IT. She has a 13 year-old daughter who wants to grow up and be a rocket scientist or marine biologist. Colleen loves to travel, read books, listen to music, and spend time with loved ones whenever possible.

Alvin Keitt, Entrepreneur, Member & Director of Business Development at ARK Temporary Staffing, LLC, was established in 2005 with over sixteen years or service. After working in the Technology Industry for over twenty years with telecommunications industry leaders MCI Communications and XO Communications in Sales/Marketing and Management roles. He contributed vast experience in sales and marketing from the technology arena. The business has grown from a small boutique temp agency to a supplier to major corporations including The Coca-Cola Company, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, Gwinnett County Government and various other corporate, local city, county, state, and federal government entities.

While also acquiring Reliable Insurance Agency, Inc. in 2012. A full-service Independent Insurance Agency providing Property & Casualty (P&C) and Life & Health coverage for Personal and Commercial clients throughout the state for Georgia.
ARK specializes in providing their clients with a full-service staffing company, a capable extension of their clients’ HR Departments. Sharing a wealth of experience in Human Resource management and Insurance related issues involving Risk Mitigation while providing highly skilled Office, Professional and Manufacturing/Light Industrial personnel for office occupations, warehousing, customer service and call center staffing. The company serves eleven states within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, with national capabilities.

Nick Masino is the first GenX President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. At the helm, Masino is known for his strong leadership, commitment to Gwinnett, and more than two decades of making an impact in the community and economic development arenas. As President and CEO, Masino has shepherded in the most diverse board of directors in Chamber history, reinvigorated its public policy focus, implemented a new strategic plan and is currently overseeing a massive renovation to Georgia’s largest Chamber of Commerce facility. He also led the Gwinnett Chamber to receive its first-ever five-star accreditation rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and to its first-ever global title as ‘Chamber of the Year’ by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in 2023.

The former chief economic development officer for Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber, Masino oversaw the business recruitment and retention efforts for Gwinnett and the implementation of the Partnership Gwinnett strategy. The Chamber-led initiative has since delivered roughly 380 company expansions or relocations representing more than 32,000 new jobs and $5.2 billion in private capital investment. Prior to these achievements, Masino was an executive in the recruiting and staffing industry, while serving as Georgia’s youngest Mayor in the City of Suwanee.

In addition to his day job, Masino serves on a plethora of boards including the Regional Business Coalition of Metro Atlanta, the Council for Quality Growth, the Georgia Chamber, and The Water Tower Global Innovation Hub at Gwinnett. His influence in the greater Gwinnett region has earned him many accolades such as Most Notable Georgians, Power 100: Most Influential Atlantans, and one hundred Most Influential Georgians. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from The Ohio State University and resides with his wife, Suzanne, in Suwanee, Georgia. They are the proud parents of three adult children.

As founding principal of Office Creations, Joy Mitchell brings over 14 years of contract furniture experience in a variety of vertical markets. Joy’s high level of accessibility and personal commitment to customer service has successfully contributed to the completion of numerous local and national projects. She has been repeatedly recognized for her ‘whatever it takes’ attitude, as well as her passion for developing the industry’s next generation of leaders. Under Joy’s direction, Office Creations has steadily climbed to become one of Atlanta’s top 10 premier furniture dealerships.

Eunicia Peret is the Founder and Managing Partner of Excelstra, a firm dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. With a deep passion for helping clients maximize their wealth and minimize unnecessary taxes and fees, Eunicia takes a holistic approach to financial planning, offering customized strategies that align with each client’s unique goals.

Her journey into financial empowerment began with personal frustration—watching decisions being made about her money without her input, feeling trapped by financial uncertainty, and realizing that the industry often prioritized commissions over clients’ best interests. Determined to change the narrative, she founded Excelstra to provide transparent, results-driven financial strategies that prioritize the client’s needs above all else.

At Excelstra, Eunicia and her team specialize in tax minimization, strategic investment planning, legacy planning, and financial independence strategies. Through a high-touch, client-first approach, she ensures individuals have access to the financial knowledge, tools, and resources she wished she had earlier in her own journey.

Eunicia’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and personalized service makes her a trusted partner for those seeking financial clarity, control, and confidence. Her mission is simple: to help clients feel empowered, secure, and in control of their financial destiny.

Cole Porter is the President and Owner of Porter Steel, Inc. with facilities in Lilburn and Athens, GA, a structural steel and miscellaneous metals subcontractor that works on construction projects across the Southeast. Being born and raised in Georgia, and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Cole is proud to work in and be involved in the communities where he grew up. Porter Steel is a mission-focused, values-centered company that aims to grow to reach its fullest potential in the construction industry, and it has grown exponentially under his leadership by intrinsically attaching company culture to achieving the mission “to change lives and lead by example” and living by the core values of Ownership, Integrity, Partnership, and Fail Forward.

In addition to his work responsibilities, Cole is very involved in both industry associations as well as civic service organizations. Cole serves on the Executive Board for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia; he is involved on the Public Policy Committees of both organizations. Civically, Cole is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Duluth and serves on the Boards of the Gwinnett Medical Foundation, Gwinnett Tech Foundation, Rainbow Village, and the 1818 Club. He also founded and oversees the Porter Family Foundation through the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia that aims to assist non-profits and causes in the community that align with company values. Cole lives in Monroe with his wife, Kaitlyn, and their three children, Amos (9), Hannah (8), and Abram (5). In his spare time, Cole enjoys traveling, weightlifting, art, politics, and listening to books and podcasts.

Ruthann B. Savage is the Head of Human Resources of AMMEGA Group, overseeing the company’s talent and people strategies, culture, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In her role, which she has held since 2020, she is responsible for leading the company’s people strategy for Megadyne and Jason Industrial Brands in the United States, aligned to the company’s mission to be a global leader in product quality and local service excellence.

Prior to joining AMMEGA, Ms. Savage served as a Training Manager for Swarovski’s Academy and adjunct leadership researcher with the Center for Leadership at Florida International University. Ms. Savage spent many years focused on leadership development working with companies such as Disney, Swarovski, Reeds Jewelers, Macy’s, Pandora, Rolex, Dufry Group, Paradies Lagardère, Royal Caribbean, and becoming a published researcher under the Center for Leadership. Ms. Savage serves on the Advisory Board for Essex County Public Schools in New Jersey and for Gwinnett County Public Schools EPIC/STEM Programs in Georgia and as a Mentor for Human Resources for SHRM-Atlanta.

Prior to this, Ms. Savage served as a consultant, specializing in workforce agility, cultural development, M&A, compliance, auditing, HR business partnering, and organizational design in financial services, human capital, construction, hospitality, luxury goods industries. Before consulting, Ms. Savage worked as General Manager responsible for turnaround management in critical business units of $62M+, quickly delivering winning and sustainable results in revenue, EBITDA, with publicly traded and private equity Fortune 500 companies, as well as Operations, where she implemented process optimization and high-performance organization culture.

Ms. Savage holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and in Statistics from the University of Central Florida and holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from the Florida International University. She is also a certified practitioner of Myers Briggs, Saville Leadership Assessments including 360 and Hire/Build/Lead talent potential, and Predictive Index, in addition to work with Gallup and Korn Ferry instruments, and has received numerous awards and recognition for her performance.

Matthew Yarbrough has served as a Gwinnett-focused political consultant for the last six years after completing a Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado-Boulder. A metro-Atlanta native with undergraduate degrees from UGA, his focus has largely been on the data analytics, fundraising, and networking skills required for a campaign success. A recent graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, Yarbrough has developed deep political roots in the county through consulting for over a dozen Gwinnett elections since 2018, and most recently he served as District Director for US Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux in the county. Today, his firm represents Gwinnett’s Chairwoman, Sheriff, Clerk of Courts, Tax Commissioner, District Attorney challenger, and several of the Gwinnett State and Superior Court Judges in their upcoming 2024 campaigns, and he serves as a regular community advisor to other county commissioners and local city elected officials in Gwinnett’s sixteen municipalities. His metro professional affiliations include membership of the SW Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Cobb Citizen’s Academy Class of 2023, and Cobb SPLOST Oversight Committee. He and his husband Jordan reside in historic Marietta.