Leadership
Executive Leadership
Irene Barton
Executive Director
Irene Barton was appointed as the Executive Director in September, 2018. She had served previously as the Resource Manager for the Collaborative. Irene brings a…
Alison Nyarko
Director of Early Childhood Programs
With a deep-rooted passion for education and community empowerment, Alison has dedicated her career to creating transformative learning experiences for all children. With a degree…
Kaitlyn Ball
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
Born and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia, Kaitlyn is no stranger to the diverse and flourishing communities of Cobb County. Kaitlyn joined the Collaborative in 2021…
Lesleigh Sanders
Mental Health Program Coordinator
Lesleigh received her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia and has experience in human services. She also has background…
Leslie Danford
Literacy Coordinator
Leslie Danford lives and is raising her family in Cobb County, GA. Leslie received her Masters degree in Child Development (Birth through Kindergarten) in 2004…
Alexandra Winn
Communications Coordinator
Alex is a recent graduate from West Virginia University obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology. While at WVU, Alex developed…
2024 Board of Directors
Major J.C. Bullock
Chair
Major Bullock has been employed with the Cobb County Police Department for over 30 years starting in 1991. During his 30 years of service, he…
Barbie D. Etterle
Chair Elect
Barbie D. Etterle is a fifteen year veteran in the Air Force currently serving as Reservist. Mrs. Etterle previously worked in law enforcement as a…
Erika Mitchell
Treasurer & Chair of Finance Committee
Erika Mitchell is the Southern Poverty Law Center’s chief financial officer. She leads the financial strategy that supports the SPLC’s strategic plan and oversees the organization’s…
Kimberly Henghold
Secretary
Kimberly Henghold is the Director of Community Relations within the Office of External Affairs at Kennesaw State University (KSU), where she plays a pivotal role…
Jennifer Yankulova
Member-at-Large
Jennifer Yankulova is the Managing Attorney of Cobb Legal Aid, a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of civil legal assistance to vulnerable populations…
Kim Blass
Member-at-Large
Kim Blass brings extensive experience working at the intersection of communications and development to her position as Marietta City Schools’ Chief Impact Officer. Her team…
Rebecca Henson
Member-at-Large
Cobb & Douglas Public Health Director of Children with Youth and Special Needs (CYSN),programs include: Babies Can’t Wait (BCW), Children’s Medical Services (CMS), Children’sFirst(C1st) and…
Jesus Martinez
Member-At-Large
Jesus Martinez served his country in the United States Army as a combat engineer serving two tours in Desert Storm and Shield during the beginning…
Kim McCoy
Member-at-Large
Kim has been the Executive Director of the Cobb Family Advocacy Center since April 2024. Prior to this role, Kim was the Director of the…
Michael McNeely
Member-At-Large
Michael McNeely has spent three decades as a public safety professional. He began as a military andcivilian police officer and was a Georgia Peace Officer…
Sandee Katz Panichi
Member-At-Large
Sandee K. Panichi currently serves as Deputy Director of Cobb Senior Services. Ms. Panichi holds a Bachelor of Arts, Urban Studies (Georgia State University) and Master…
Marcy Payne
Member-at-Large
Marcy Payne earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Clark Atlanta University in 1999 and her Master of Library and Information Science…
R. Dale Stephans, Jr.
Member-at-Large
Dale & his wife have 3 daughters, three godchildren, and four grandchildren. Dale began his vocational ministry as a student pastor in 2000. For thirteen…
Kirstin Popper
Member-at-Large
Kirstin holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and has 30+ years experience in marketing and communications. She has worked with a variety of clients in…
Kevin Pounds
Member-at-Large
Kevin Pounds serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships of MUST Ministries. Although a home-grown Cobb County guy, Kevin spent eighteen years in the Northeast where…