Jenna Wesson

Jenna Wesson is a Management Major and a manager at a local cafe. She started her leadership journey at Picnic Cafe as an assistant manager in the kitchen. Her infatuation with leadership became apparent when she took a Leadership theories course in the fall of 2023. This led her to interact with leaders inside her community as well as prominent leaders in the industry to develop her leadership style. This has allowed her to not only effect personal change but also change in her affiliated organization. 

Xandrea Dantin

Xandrea Dantin has been a dedicated student at the University of North Georgia since the fall of 2020. Currently, she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Throughout her collegiate journey, Xandrea has actively participated in various campus organizations. Notable roles include her time as a Blue Ridge Scholar on the Blue Ridge Campus, her position as Senate Chair for the Studnet Government Association, and her role as Vice President of Sigma Alpha Omega. 

Dr. Tonekia Phairr

Dr. Phairr is a highly accomplished educational leader and Assistant Principal with a disntinguished career spanning 19 years. Armed with a passion for fostering academic excellence and a commitment to student success, she has dedicated her professional life to the advancement of education. She holds a Doctorate degree in Educaitonal Leadership, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and intellectual growth. Throughout her career, Dr. Phairr has exhibited exemplary leadership skills, contributing signficantly to the development and implementation of innovative educational programs. 

Steve Shepherd

With over 25 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, and education, Steve is a passionate and results-oriented leader who strives to make a positive impact in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. As the Director of Development for the College of Science & Mathematics at the University of North Georgia, he leverages his diverse and extensive skills to generate $10M in capital for a new STEM facility. His success is driven by his ability to create and execute innovative and effective strategies that align with the college's vision and goals, as well as to build and nurture lasting relationships with key stakeholders. 

Dr. Michelle Eaton

Michelle A. Eaton, Ed.D., serves as the Executive Director of Enrollment Management for Student Success at the University of North Georgia. Michelle has built her career around a passion for serving and supporting students. After earning her M.S. in First-Year Studies, she played a vital role in partnering with Academic Affairs to create and implement studnet persistence initiatives at UNG. Her research interests include student mindset, persistence, and self-authorship. Michelle earned her Doctor of Education degree in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development at the University of Georgia. 

Meredith Higgins

Meredith serves as the Associate Director in the Office for Student Retention & Success at the University of North Georgia. Her work revolves around researching best practices which will foster student success, and she enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with others and listen to students as it concerns student persistence. Meredith's research interests include growth mindset, outcomes of student success, and holistic student development. 

Luke Atwood

Luke is a junior at UNG studying finance and accounting. 

Dr. Kathryn Narciso

Dr. Kathryn Narciso is a lecturer of Psychological Science and the Interdisciplinary Ledaership Minor coordinator. She teaches courses on leadership development and theories in Dahlonega and Gainesville. 

Dr. Juanita Woods

Juanita M. Woods, Ph.D., PMP, PgMP, is an Associate Professor with the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia. Dr. Woods has over 25 years of experience managing projects and people where she focses on ensuring projects align with organizational and group objectives. In her work in the private sector as a project and program manager and the public sector as a professor, Dr. Woods mentors people at all career stages in developing or stregnthening their leadership, business acumen, and technical skills in project management. 

Anna Thompson

Anna Thompson is a sophomore at UNG studying Business Management. 

Jen Gardner

Gardner is a junior business management major, research assistant to Dr. Ruohan Wu in the economics departement, and serves as a Cottrell Leadership Fellows member. 

Isaac Anderson

Isaac Anderson is a marketing student who's involved with the leadership team of FCA and is involved in the Cottrell Leadership Fellows Program. 

Gabrielle Denkman

Gabrielle is a sophomore at UNG studying business management. 

Dr. Bryan Dawson

Dr. Bryan Dawson is a Professor and Assistant Department Head in the Department of Psychological Sciences at UNG. He is the co-creator of the Ethical Culture Indicator organizational assesment. Dr. Dawson has a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. He is currently working on projects investigating perceptions of gender, gender and ethnic discrimination and perceptions of video games and the impact of diversity climate on student and faculty populations. He routinely teaches courses related to these topics. 

Bianca Cattani

Bianca Loren Cattani is a junior at the Mike Cottell College of Business at UNG. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Management with a general concentration. After the completion of her bachelor's degree in the Fall 2025 semester, Bianca plans to pursue a master's degree in International Business. She has her focus on a dual career in entrepreneurship and professorship. Bianca presently is the CMO and co-owner of b.loren & co., an online home and lifestyle brand, and hopes to grow the endeavor into a brick and mortar location in the next three years. 

Ashley Healey

Ashley Healey is a sophomore studying accounting in the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia. She just joined the Robotics Club as their secretary because of her interest in leadership and how robots work and are built, as well as the communtiy that has been built within the club. Her future goals include becoming a high-level leader in her workplace, being able to give back to those who have helped her get this far (parents, friends, roommates) and becoming a homewoner. 

Anthony Giordano

Anthony Giordano is a Marketing major who is the President of UNG's AMA chapter and is involved in the Cottrell Leadership Fellows Program. He wants to go into experiential marketing and works with the nonprofit Junior Achievement.