who we are

Leadership

Nikishka helps businesses and entrepreneurs maximize their social and environmental impact. She is focused on building inclusive, equitable and sustainable economies and was recently recognized by GreenBiz as a "30 under 30" emerging leader in sustainability.

Nikishka Iyengar

Founder & CEO

As COO of the Atlanta Technology Angels, Michael oversaw the deal flow process from recruiting, screening, up through due diligence along with angel investing education, managing the Analyst Program, entrepreneurial and membership support.

Michael Maziar

Partner

Cohort One

Porsha Thomas is the founder of Ladypreneur League (LL).  Through business workshops and events, ladypreneur camaraderie and a digital publication, LL aims to inspire, educate and encourage female founders to invest in each other’s success.

Porsha Thomas

Founder & CEO, Ladypreneur League

Bem Joiner is with the Center for Civic Innovation and is focused on bridging the gap between the city's creative and civic circles. Creative Loafing Atlanta profiled him in 2015 as one of the top 20 people to watch for.

Bem Joiner

Outreach, Center for Civic Innovation

Will Johnston is the founder of Tiny House Atlanta, and is focused on creating an impactful outreach program to demonstrate how individuals and cities can benefit from tiny homes, shared living and new ways to create walkable, sustainable communities.

Will Johnston

Founder & ED, Tiny House Atlanta

Cohort Two

A teacher hailing from a long line of gardeners, Erin will bring her interest in urban development and education, as well as her experiences from living abroad to the forefront of her work with The Guild.

Erin Hayes

Founder, ATL Greening Co

Jalen Rideaux is a local Atlanta creative with a background in branding and a passion for environmental sustainability. He has worked in Atlanta’s local food movement and is a recent recipient of the 2017 Plywood Presents Scholarship.

Jalen Rideaux

Founder, Chalant

Leila is a tenacious social justice warrior and founder of the non-profit, INTERSECT, that empowers student-led movements to create meaningful, long-lasting social change on their campuses and in their communities.

Leila Chreiteh

Founder & ED, INTERSECT

Advisors

Dar is the Chief Innovation Officer for CARE USA, working to solve global poverty with a focus on the empowerment of women and girls. Previously, Dar was Managing Director of Teach For America's Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship team.

Dar Vanderbeck

Chief Innovation Officer, CARE USA

Earl Coleman is co-founder and CEO of Pearlio, an Atlanta based idea studio. He also serves as Venture Capital Committee Chair at Startup Atlanta, working to grow and connect the Atlanta venture capital ecosystem.

Earl Coleman

CEO, Pearlio

Jason Seagle is the co-founder and CEO of Vayando, a social enterprise that connects curious travelers with micro-entrepreneurs in emerging economies around the world. He specializes in food security and livelihoods, emergency response, and entrepreneurial development.

Jason Seagle

CEO, Vayando

An entrepreneur at heart, Neil understands the right deal strikes a balance between legal risk and business reward. He started Bagchi Law to provide effective and efficient legal services that focus on the goals of its clients.

Neil Bagchi

Attorney, Bagchi Law

Collective Wisdom Group founder Suzanne Burnes is a pioneering sustainability executive with 24 years in nonprofit leadership, state government operations, and private consulting experience. She is known for her passion for innovation and strategic people-planet-profit lens.

Suzanne Burnes

Founder, Collective Wisdom Group

Bernie is the Executive Director of the Greenhouse Accelerator. The program's objective is to create sustainable local jobs, either by advising and financing early-stage cleantech startups, or by supporting sustainability initiatives within existing companies.

Bernie Burgener

ED, Greenhouse Accelerator

Scott Sadler is the founder and CEO of Boardwalk Capital Management, the Southeast’s only wealth management firm that is a Certified B Corporation. From major investment houses to his own firm, Scott has advised affluent individuals and institutions for over 28 years.

Scott Sadler

CEO, Boardwalk Capital