Goodie Nation is thrilled to announce the addition of five remarkable leaders to our Board of Directors: Caitlin Ferguson, Jeff Hilimire, Jenea Bradley, Kirk Barnes, and Shay Lawson. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to excellence, and a passion for empowering the next generation of positive innovators and changemakers. As we continue to build bridges in the innovation ecosystem, their expertise will be invaluable in guiding our mission forward.

Caitlin Ferguson: Championing Scalable Growth and Diverse Founders

Caitlin Ferguson, the founder of CEOF Consulting, joins our board with nearly two decades of experience in creating over $20M in value for her clients. A seasoned fractional COO and business strategist, Caitlin has worked with over 100 founders, helping them scale their businesses efficiently. Her career journey, which includes building a social enterprise to exit and supporting global founders, reflects her deep commitment to entrepreneurship as a driver of equity and economic growth. Caitlin’s passion for supporting diverse founders aligns perfectly with Goodie Nation’s mission, and we are excited to have her expertise and leadership on our board.

Jeff Hilimire: A Purpose-Driven Leader Committed to Positive Impact

Jeff Hilimire, co-founder and CEO of Purpose Group, joins our board with a mission to make an outsized, positive impact on the world. A father of five and the co-founder of multiple successful ventures, including Dragon Army, 48in48, The A Pledge, and Ripples Media, Jeff brings a wealth of experience in leadership and entrepreneurship. His dedication to purpose-driven work resonates with Goodie Nation’s values, and his innovative approach to solving complex challenges will be instrumental as we continue to expand our reach and impact.

Jenea Bradley: Expertise in Accounting and Mentorship for Tech Founders

Jenea Bradley, an Audit Partner at Deloitte with over 15 years of experience, is known for her expertise in serving public and privately-held clients across various industries. With significant experience in technology, media, and telecommunications, Jenea specializes in complex accounting and reporting issues. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Jenea has also served as an Advisory Board Member of United Way’s Young Professional Leaders and a mentor to tech start-up founders. Her extensive experience and commitment to mentorship make her a valuable addition to our board as we continue to support and guide the next generation of tech leaders.

Kirk Barnes: Empowering Organizations Through Sales Excellence and Networking

Kirk Barnes, author, Co-Founder and President of TransPharMed, brings his expertise in sales excellence and networking to our board. Kirk built a career in not only coaching career sales professionals, but also helping 100’s of startup founders and entrepreneurs through his work in corporate america, government, startups, accelerators, incubators and venture capital. Kirk helped build two billion dollar products and hs helped to generate over $250MM in sales. His experience in accelerating the sales cycle of technology and innovation will be crucial as Goodie Nation continues to foster the growth of startups and entrepreneurs. We look forward to his insights and leadership as we empower more founders to achieve their goals.

Shay Lawson Esq.: Protecting Creative Entrepreneurs and Advancing Civic Engagement

Shay M. Lawson Esq., Managing Attorney of the Law Firm of Lawson McKinley, joins our board with a decade of experience in protecting the intellectual property and transactional  interests of creative entrepreneurs through trademark, copyright, and contract related legal solutions. Shay has negotiated millions in client deals with major brands like Nike, Apple Music, and NBCUniversal and serves as an adjunct professor of transactional law at Emory University School of Law.. Beyond her legal practice, Shay is deeply committed to political advocacy, serving as chair of Policy and Civic Engagement for the Black Music Action Coalition and co-chair of legislative advocacy for the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS®). Her dedication to both creative entrepreneurship and civic engagement aligns seamlessly with Goodie Nation’s mission, and we are honored to have her on our board.

As Goodie Nation continues to grow and evolve, the addition of these five dynamic leaders to our Board of Directors marks a significant milestone. Their combined expertise, passion, and dedication to empowering diverse communities will undoubtedly propel us forward in our mission to create a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Please join us in welcoming Caitlin Ferguson, Jeff Hilimire, Jenea Bradley, Kirk Barnes, and Shay Lawson to the Goodie Nation family. They join Justin Dawkins and Kaseem Ladipo on the board. 

Together, we are building a better future for all.