ABOUT
Genius Atlanta is a platform to help businesses, organizations, and projects to overcome challenges, make the most of opportunities, and solve problems within our local community.
WHO WE ARE
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We are a community organization led by dedicated volunteers. We foster disruptive thinking, supportive input, and creative new ideas. We are committed to diversity amongst our community and support initiatives at all stages of their growth.
Every month, we help organizations overcome a business challenge. They are startups, social enterprises, non-profits, and government agencies. What makes our format special is that everyone in the room is anonymous — first names only. No one gets to qualify their ideas with their resume, and on the flip side, no one can say they don’t know what they’re talking about. What results is a community of equals sharing bright ideas, an atmosphere of colleagues working toward a shared purpose, a collective genius. Our sessions are magical to experience. We meet monthly in the evenings by invite-only. |
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OUR SPONSORS
Thank you to each of our current and past sponsors. They make each event possible!
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THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jen Singh, City Director
Twitter | LinkedIn
Jennifer Singh is a technology executive with over 15 years of experience building and scaling innovative businesses at both startups and large corporations. Jen is the Co-Founder of Understory, a global community that enables and accelerates climate & sustainability tech startups. Understory also offers educational resources, a podcast, and events to accelerate sustainable change across the ecosystem. She is an industry expert, inventor, author, and featured speaker on topics such as sustainability, innovation, cybersecurity, and disruptive technologies. Jen currently supports her local community by leading House of Genius Atlanta and serving on the Boards of Startup Atlanta, SHRM Atlanta and The Lola.
Twitter | LinkedIn
Jennifer Singh is a technology executive with over 15 years of experience building and scaling innovative businesses at both startups and large corporations. Jen is the Co-Founder of Understory, a global community that enables and accelerates climate & sustainability tech startups. Understory also offers educational resources, a podcast, and events to accelerate sustainable change across the ecosystem. She is an industry expert, inventor, author, and featured speaker on topics such as sustainability, innovation, cybersecurity, and disruptive technologies. Jen currently supports her local community by leading House of Genius Atlanta and serving on the Boards of Startup Atlanta, SHRM Atlanta and The Lola.
Raven Hinson
LinkedIn
Raven Hinson is currently a Program & Content Research Analyst at CNN. She has a passion for data & people and how the two interconnect for social good. While also helping with House of Genius Atlanta, Raven is a volunteer as a Host Team Manager with an organization called Community Bucket, which helps to bring volunteers to nonprofits while creating spaces for social connection. She is also on the Board of The Creatives Project and runs an e-newsletter called Ravin' Reviews, which shares local Atlanta events. In her spare time, she loves volunteering, reading and attending all kinds of events around Atlanta.
Raven Hinson is currently a Program & Content Research Analyst at CNN. She has a passion for data & people and how the two interconnect for social good. While also helping with House of Genius Atlanta, Raven is a volunteer as a Host Team Manager with an organization called Community Bucket, which helps to bring volunteers to nonprofits while creating spaces for social connection. She is also on the Board of The Creatives Project and runs an e-newsletter called Ravin' Reviews, which shares local Atlanta events. In her spare time, she loves volunteering, reading and attending all kinds of events around Atlanta.
Jennifer Childers
LinkedIn
Jennifer has over five years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. She currently is a Transaction Manager at CBRE representing commercial office tenants. Previously, she headed up sales and marking for Transcend, a technology-focused commercial real estate firm changing the way companies plan and execute their real estate strategy. With a focus on flexibility, company culture, and the bottom line, she helps her clients plan for long term growth while mitigating risks in the short term. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, fostering company culture, developing and perfecting go to market strategies and creating compelling pitches. Jennifer is very active and loves to practice yoga, tennis and run around Piedmont Park. Catch her on the weekend listening to live music and recreating culinary creations from one of the many cookbooks on her shelf!
Jennifer has over five years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. She currently is a Transaction Manager at CBRE representing commercial office tenants. Previously, she headed up sales and marking for Transcend, a technology-focused commercial real estate firm changing the way companies plan and execute their real estate strategy. With a focus on flexibility, company culture, and the bottom line, she helps her clients plan for long term growth while mitigating risks in the short term. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, fostering company culture, developing and perfecting go to market strategies and creating compelling pitches. Jennifer is very active and loves to practice yoga, tennis and run around Piedmont Park. Catch her on the weekend listening to live music and recreating culinary creations from one of the many cookbooks on her shelf!
Twanna Harris
Twitter | LinkedIn
Twanna is a self-described millennial-minded, GenX’er who leverages her brand marketing expertise to build stronger products, campaigns, communities, and experiences. As the Vice President of Brand, Content and Strategic Initiatives for the Atlanta Beltline, she works with the executive team to amplify the global voice and appeal of the Beltline. In 18 years of branding and marketing, Harris has led The Coca-Cola Co.-branded initiatives for multiple agencies and has worked for some of the largest global brands and nonprofits, including The Procter & Gamble Co., PepsiCo Inc. and United Way Worldwide
Twitter | LinkedIn
Twanna is a self-described millennial-minded, GenX’er who leverages her brand marketing expertise to build stronger products, campaigns, communities, and experiences. As the Vice President of Brand, Content and Strategic Initiatives for the Atlanta Beltline, she works with the executive team to amplify the global voice and appeal of the Beltline. In 18 years of branding and marketing, Harris has led The Coca-Cola Co.-branded initiatives for multiple agencies and has worked for some of the largest global brands and nonprofits, including The Procter & Gamble Co., PepsiCo Inc. and United Way Worldwide
Rhea Perkins
LinkedIn
Rhea Perkins serves as the Program and Operations Manager for CREATE-X. She is excited about entrepreneurship and enjoys helping college students view starting a business as a viable career option. Prior to Georgia Tech, Rhea attended Arizona State University where she received her BS degree, fell in love with Miami while completing her MS degree at Florida International University, and learned to eat crawfish while at Louisiana State University pursuing her PhD degree. Rhea absolutely loves Atlanta and enjoys The Beltline, yoga, and trying new local restaurants!
Rhea Perkins serves as the Program and Operations Manager for CREATE-X. She is excited about entrepreneurship and enjoys helping college students view starting a business as a viable career option. Prior to Georgia Tech, Rhea attended Arizona State University where she received her BS degree, fell in love with Miami while completing her MS degree at Florida International University, and learned to eat crawfish while at Louisiana State University pursuing her PhD degree. Rhea absolutely loves Atlanta and enjoys The Beltline, yoga, and trying new local restaurants!
Jyotsna Khan
Twitter | LinkedIn
Jyotsna is an engineer turned sales & marketing specialist who is passionate about growing technology companies in fast-paced environments. She currently leads business development and growth initiatives at Tyrannosaurus Tech, an innovative software, mobile app development & design company in Atlanta. She works with small businesses, startups and enterprise clients, leveraging technology to solve complex business problems and create unique digital experiences. Previously, Jyotsna led sales and marketing for a Harvard-incubated startup that helps companies gain value and deep insight from emerging technologies such as deep learning, AI, blockchain, and big data. She loves all things Atlanta, food, fashion and board games. In her free time you will find her cooking up spicy culinary delights for her husband and friends or plotting her next Catan victory.
Twitter | LinkedIn
Jyotsna is an engineer turned sales & marketing specialist who is passionate about growing technology companies in fast-paced environments. She currently leads business development and growth initiatives at Tyrannosaurus Tech, an innovative software, mobile app development & design company in Atlanta. She works with small businesses, startups and enterprise clients, leveraging technology to solve complex business problems and create unique digital experiences. Previously, Jyotsna led sales and marketing for a Harvard-incubated startup that helps companies gain value and deep insight from emerging technologies such as deep learning, AI, blockchain, and big data. She loves all things Atlanta, food, fashion and board games. In her free time you will find her cooking up spicy culinary delights for her husband and friends or plotting her next Catan victory.
Kendra Ward
LinkedIn
Kendra Ward is the Co-founder and COO of unboXt, Inc., a data analytics company that helps managers create positive employee experiences. Their predictive software helps leadership identify why employees are leaving, and how to stop or reduce turnover by creating desirable work experiences. Outside of work, Kendra is very passionate about developing the leaders of tomorrow. This passion has led her to teach over 170 students the basics of computer science at the University of La Verne with STEAM Coders. Kendra believes herself to be extremely fortunate and continues to give back in her free time to help kids discover the power of exposure.
Kendra Ward is the Co-founder and COO of unboXt, Inc., a data analytics company that helps managers create positive employee experiences. Their predictive software helps leadership identify why employees are leaving, and how to stop or reduce turnover by creating desirable work experiences. Outside of work, Kendra is very passionate about developing the leaders of tomorrow. This passion has led her to teach over 170 students the basics of computer science at the University of La Verne with STEAM Coders. Kendra believes herself to be extremely fortunate and continues to give back in her free time to help kids discover the power of exposure.
Sara Saxner-Coughlin
Twitter | LinkedIn
Sara Saxner-Coughlin is obsessed with helping companies, customers and teams realize their potential. Expert at collaborating across clients, partners, teams, operations and regions to get things done - the right way. She's on a mission to build and grow better companies to ultimately make stronger communities. Sara sits at the unique and nuanced intersection of strategic leadership and tactical execution, as her career spans growth strategy and implementation, client management, hands-on business development and company operations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She's worked with and for some of the strongest founders and c-suite leaders, and investors in startup and enterprise businesses, solving business problems and connecting them to the broader ecosystem to create growth opportunities. Sara supports her community as a member of House of Genius Atlanta, through her alma mater and as a key advisor to a few early stage companies in the southeast.
Twitter | LinkedIn
Sara Saxner-Coughlin is obsessed with helping companies, customers and teams realize their potential. Expert at collaborating across clients, partners, teams, operations and regions to get things done - the right way. She's on a mission to build and grow better companies to ultimately make stronger communities. Sara sits at the unique and nuanced intersection of strategic leadership and tactical execution, as her career spans growth strategy and implementation, client management, hands-on business development and company operations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She's worked with and for some of the strongest founders and c-suite leaders, and investors in startup and enterprise businesses, solving business problems and connecting them to the broader ecosystem to create growth opportunities. Sara supports her community as a member of House of Genius Atlanta, through her alma mater and as a key advisor to a few early stage companies in the southeast.