necole merritt - communicating the spirit of charity

Executive Director of Corporate Communications, AT&T

As director of AT&T’s corporate communications, Necole Merritt is charged with managing the mega-organization’s brand reputation through its diverse philanthropic endeavors. She lives her personal life by prinicples similar to those of her employer. Merritt understands that it’s not how many rungs on the corporate ladder you ascend, rather the number of lives you touch in positive ways. “I like to look at life as a quilt. Your different experiences piece it together,” explains Merritt.

The recent death of a close friend caused her to do some soul searching and ultimately re-evaluate what is truly important. “When I’m gone, no one’s going to care that I worked for AT&T. All that matters is the kind of person I was and the contributions I made,” asserts Merritt.
–adam jones

karan rhodes - worldwide woman

Director of High Potential Development Program, Microsoft

As Microsoft’s director of high potential development program, Karan Rhodes helps identify the company’s top 3 percent of employees around the world for key leadership positions and global development strategies.

“One of the things that I really enjoy is leveraging this role and being able to go to so many different countries, and really understanding different countries’ and cultures’ passions,” explains Rhodes. “It has been eye-opening for me to get a better appreciation for other individuals around the world. … We’re more alike than different.”

Rhodes credits her success with having a strong foundation of family and faith.

“If you have a high level of integrity, it lays the foundation for great, positive relationships, no matter what you do in life,” explains Rhodes.
–adam jones

sheri riley - bonded to her clients

Founder and Owner, Glue, Inc.

When Sheri Riley launched her entertainment consulting firm — Glue, Inc. — 10 years ago, she possessed two key components critical to building a successful venture: faith and a strong will. Now the savvy entrepreneur’s client roster includes the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Thrashers, Elite Model Management, The Ludacris Foundation and T-Mobile.

“I tell people all the time [that] if you want to get to know Jesus, start your own business. It’s all about prayer, peace and accepting what I can do. Balance and time management [are] key,” says Riley. “My motto with my clients is ‘I will always give you 150 percent, never 24 hours.’ I strive for excellence and the highest level of integrity [in every endeavor].”
–adrienne gadling

carrie salvary - home is where the heart is

Executive Director, Tyler Place CDC

Since 1993, South Carolina native Carrie Salvary has called Vine City home. Through the efforts of Salvary and her fellow residents at the Tyler Place Community Development Center, 25 new homes have been constructed in the historic westside Atlanta neighborhood.

“We organized as a homeowners association but realized that [in] looking [at the] community, we needed to help in some other ways,” she says of starting Tyler Place CDC. “So, we sought to involve ourselves in community planning and development and other activities.”

Salvary and her staff are committed to spurring the rebuilding of Vine City. “What I want to see in Vine City is the realization of my work,” she says. “I want to see the people of Vine City in a more prosperous position.”
–gavin p. godfrey

alvetta peterman thomas - visionary leader

Acting President, Atlanta Technical College

Once Alvetta Peterman Thomas decided what she wanted to do with her life, she didn’t waste any time in going after her goals. She received her undergraduate degree at Alabama State University, a master’s degree in political science at Clark Atlanta University and a doctorate in education at the University of Georgia. Thomas is currently the acting president of Atlanta Technical College (ATC).

“My educational experience helped shape me for what I face in leadership in the technical college system, as well as what our students face,” says Thomas. “I have been grooming for a presidential position for a long time. I was vice president of academic affairs. I always saw myself as a vice president but not as a president. But once I came to ATC, I embraced that vision.”
–adrienne gadling

Share this article with a friend