Katia Galdino is a business management professor residing in the Savannah area since 2013. She received her Ph.D. in Business Administration from Florida State University, and since 2018 has taught strategic management, international business, and entrepreneurship at Georgia Southern University. Her research examines companies’ international strategies and entrepreneurship in emerging markets, and her work has been published in leading academic journals and presented at global conferences.

She serves as a guest editor and member of the editorial review board of the Africa Journal of Management (AJOM), helping to advance management research on the African continent. Katia is also a board member of the Southern Management Association (SMA), the largest academic management association in the southeastern U.S. Deeply committed to mentoring students, she is proud to support initiatives that expand opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields, serving as the faculty advisor for Georgia Southern’s chapter of Women in Technology (WIT), a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta.

A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Katia’s professional background prior to academia was in import and export operations and international finance. She also nurtures a passion for language and culture, and has taught French both in Brazil and in the U.S. She resides in Pooler with her husband, two kids, and a cat. Katia is honored to serve on the board of GROW Initiative GA, where she hopes to contribute her academic expertise, global experience, and passion for education to advance the organization’s mission of growing communities that are connected, collaborative, and capable.

Jeff Jones has more than 28 years’ experience as a professor of public health and community worker. In his professional life, he has been awarded more than 30 grants to improve public health in areas of adolescent/child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, after school programs, rural health, data visualization, and informatics training for public health workers. For over 35 years Dr. Jones has also worked with LGBTQ community organizations. As the former chair of the Lexington-Fayette County Human Rights Commission, he assisted in that city agency’s enforcement of civil rights. He is a graduate of the Fayette County (KY) Citizens Police Academy, a Kentucky Colonel, former President of the Kenwick Neighborhood Association, and recipient of the James Herndon Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Jones received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Appalachian State University and his doctorate from the University of Kentucky. He is an avid traveler who has visited 48 countries and lived for periods in 9 countries. In his spare time, Jeff loves a good book, coffee/tea, meditation, cooking, and time with friends and his cat.

Latacia Avila serves as the Board Chair of GROW Initiative Georgia and brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience focused on advancing equity and supporting vulnerable and underserved populations. A proud Savannah native, Latacia has dedicated her career to strengthening communities through culturally responsive, sustainable, and mission-driven work.

She currently serves as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of South Georgia, where she has led significant organizational growth and community impact. Her professional accomplishments include establishing the organization’s Immigration Program, developing the Vital Documents Program, and launching a choice pantry model that promotes dignity, access, and food security. Throughout her career, Latacia has also demonstrated a strong commitment to building and sustaining financial sustainability while expanding critical nonprofit services.

Latacia chose to serve on GROW Initiative Georgia’s Board in recognition of the increasing diversity within the community and the need for inclusive, community-centered solutions. She is deeply aligned with GROW’s mission to uplift vulnerable populations through education, health and nutrition initiatives, and intentional community outreach, and values the organization’s commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and community empowerment.

Chelsea Sawyer is the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA). In this role, she leads the Preparedness Division, overseeing a range of critical initiatives including the management of Emergency Support Functions (ESF) such as Transportation, Mass Care, Health and Medical, Food and Water, Public-Private Partnerships, External Affairs, Animal Services, and Cultural and Historical Preservation. She also spearheads the agency’s social and digital media presence, coordinates the Chatham County Disaster Faith Network, and works closely with the county’s disaster recovery committee.

Chelsea earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech and is a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager. She served as the Southeast U.S. representative on the Government Social Media Membership Council, where she contributed to advancing best practices in emergency messaging. Chelsea is also a proud member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), a graduate of Leadership Savannah (Class of 2019), and the recipient of the 2024 Community Hero Award, recognizing her commitment to building disaster resilience in her community. In 2025, Chelsea was a TEDx Savannah Speaker and was recognized by IAEM and Georgia Trend as a 40 Under 40 recipient. In 2026, Chelsea completed her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, the first in the agency’s history. 

With extensive hands-on experience in disaster response and recovery, Chelsea has navigated high-stakes situations such as hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, and a military plane crash. She is passionate about crafting clear and impactful crisis communication strategies and fostering community resilience through innovative outreach and collaboration.

Beyond her professional role, Chelsea’s dedication to service is evident in her community involvement. She is a Girl Scout Troop Leader, serves as Disaster Response Chair for the Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club, is a member of the Coastal Empire Disaster Recovery Committee (CEDRC) Board of Directors and GROW Initiative GA and has chaired the United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Safety Net Community Investments panel. Outside of work and her volunteer roles, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.

Andrea Elam is a dedicated mental health professional from Swainsboro, Georgia. Her years of experience as a mental health professional allow her to connect with communities, schools, and families across Georgia, promoting meaningful interactions and education.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia and a Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and went on to obtain a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern University and College in Baton Rouge, LA, with a specialization in the Rehabilitation of Ethnic Minorities. Andrea is currently a doctoral student at National University in La Jolla, California seeking a PsyD. In Trauma and Disaster Relief.

With 20 years of experience in the field of psychology, Andrea has dedicated her career to supporting at-risk children, adolescents, and their families from diverse backgrounds. Her roles have included serving as an individual therapist, clinical supervisor, intensive family intervention team lead, community support individual, and behavioral health assessor. Andrea finds immense fulfillment in listening to individuals’ life stories and making a difference in their lives by providing effective treatment interventions.

Looking ahead, Andrea aims to leverage her deep understanding of psychology to advance her career as a clinical trainer, supporting interns and students working toward licensure, teaching in higher education, and advocating for effective mental health policies and procedures for individuals who struggle with mental illness. Her passion and commitment to her field continue to guide her in making a lasting impact.