Athens Reporter

GeorgiaForward has announced the selection of 49 young leaders for its 2025 Young Gamechangers program. This initiative, organized by GeorgiaForward, a non-profit under the administration of the Georgia Municipal Association, brings together professionals from across Georgia to address ongoing challenges in one community.

In 2025, Athens and Clarke County will host the Young Gamechangers. Local leaders have identified four "Challenge Questions" for participants to tackle over eight months. These questions focus on community impact, town-gown relationships, economic disparity, and regional growth.

Amir Farokhi, chair of GeorgiaForward’s board of directors, expressed enthusiasm about this year's collaboration with Athens-Clarke County: “Each year, our Young Gamechangers, through the energy and innovation of our state’s best minds, help improve our communities and strengthen our democracy.” Mayor Kelly Girtz also welcomed the initiative: “Athens has always thrived on innovation and creative energy."

The cohort will convene in Athens on April 23rd and present their findings on November 6th. Participants are accomplished professionals aged 40 and under from various regions in Georgia. One-third hail from Athens-Clarke County itself.

Notable members include Clayton Adams from Hull's Department of Early Care and Learning; Ashley Bailey from Atlanta's Georgia Municipal Association; Amanda Brown from Hart County Chamber of Commerce; Jeffrey Burke from University of Georgia's Archway Partnership; Taylor Cain from University of Georgia School of Medicine; Everett Easterling from Adobe in Smyrna; Jason Edwards from UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development; David Elrod from Milestone Construction in Athens; Daniel Farr from Salesforce in Chamblee; Morgan Ferguson with Electric Cities of Georgia in Atlanta; Jordan Frank at Delta Air Lines in Atlanta; Brandon Gardner at Kaiser Permanente in Smyrna among others.

Previous hosts for the Young Gamechangers program include Columbus-Muscogee County, Americus-Sumter County, Dublin-Laurens County among others.

GeorgiaForward aims to unite the state by engaging young professionals with civic leaders to foster innovative solutions to major challenges. More information can be found at georgiaforward.org.

The Georgia Municipal Association provides advocacy and services to all cities within Georgia since its establishment in 1933. More details are available at gacities.com.