Small Business Breakfast Club: Telling your Story thru Community Engagement

Description

Anyone who lives or works in this community knows that there is something special about Athens. Among the music, art, food, and so much more to enjoy in the Classic City is a magical quality that gives Athens that extra spark: a sense of community. As citizens, there are so many ways to engage with our community, contribute our time and resources to worthy causes, and give back to the place we call home. So how do we engage as a business? How do we plug into the magic of the Athens community with our brand? Join us at the Small Business Breakfast Club to hear from Athens businesses who have discovered the key to community engagement. These professionals are telling their story and increasing brand awareness through community involvement. Hear from this esteemed panel and learn how you can take your business to the next level by engaging with your community. 



Matt Stevens joined Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in 2017 as its first Vice President of Strategic Impact, his role to leverage their business as a force for good by investing in both their employees and the Athens community. He is no stranger to the Classic City, however. A self-described "boomerang," he's returned to Athens, Georgia during four seasons of his life, including years as an undergraduate and a grad student of the University of Georgia, where he earned his MPA in Nonprofit Management in 2014. Prior to a career in craft beer, Matt worked for three years in ministry and six years as the Associate Director of UGA's research station in San Luis, Costa Rica, where community impact was a missional priority. He has therefore now spent the past decade of his career essentially asking the same question: How do you position an organization to impact the community around it?


Pricilla Gallogly, Marketing Coordinator at W&A Engineering, has nearly 15 years of marketing and promotional advertising experience working with a variety of businesses, varying by industry and size, to establish and manage marketing strategies that align with her clients' internal growth plans. With a bachelor of science degree in computer science and a background in event planning, digital marketing and website development, Pricilla has supported several corporate initiatives to fund national nonprofit organizations throughout her professional career. Having worked with programs such as the Susan G. Komen Cancer Society, Toys for Tots, Child Protection Education of America, and D.A.R.E., Pricilla has developed a strong perspective and understanding of the challenges facing nonprofit organizations today. Her compassion for humanity and dedication to community engagement have been demonstrated by her involvement in developing campaigns such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's 2007 Missing Children's Day event in Decatur, Georgia. Most recently, Pricilla is responsible for working with colleagues to develop and promote some of the active corporate citizenship programs at W&A Engineering, like the Building Better Communities Local Business Partnership.


Julie Denton is the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for First American Bank & Trust.  Her work brings her into contact with many local non-profits, and gave her the opportunity to go through LEAD Athens last year, the best year ever for LEAD.  Through her work role, and the education provided by LEAD Athens she is aware of some of the needs in our community and available resources to meet those needs.  In an effort to be a part of the solution, Julie is currently the Board Chair of Books for Keeps, a member of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation It?s Time to Talk:  Forum on Race Planning Committee, the LEAD Athens Alumni Board, the Java Joy Board and on the Education Committee for Envision Athens?s Educate Athens initiative.  Giving back is passion for her.  Philanthropy is the new black.  It looks good on everyone!


Anastasia Roberts is the Marketing Manager for Bulldog Kia in Athens. She blends her passion for marketing and community involvement by working with various local non-profits that Bulldog Kia supports. In addition to financial donations, Bulldog Kia also participates in promoting these organizations through various co-branding avenues that both benefit Bulldog Kia and the organization being supported. One of the core values of Bulldog Kia is to give back to the community and to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by these non-profits. Bulldog Kia's employees and customers all play a vital role in helping the community by strategically providing opportunities for both customers and the community to partner together to participate in Bulldog Kia's ability to donate finances, time and other resources to the non-profits and causes they support.