Georgia Humanities Announces New Board Members
Atlanta—Georgia Humanities welcomes eight new members to its Board of Directors: Ted Cummings, Cathy Lee Eckert, Penny Houston, Michelle Johnson, Kathryn Nelson, Shachar Oren, Rondah Q. Thomas, and Stephanie Williams. Together, they join a board of 28 distinguished Georgians working to increase access to the humanities statewide.
“We are thrilled to add this exceptional cohort to our board. Their unique strengths and experiences will help us reach new communities across the state,” said Cameron Bean, board chair.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of Georgia Humanities, providing long-term strategy and financial oversight. Members serve three-year terms and are selected for their leadership, expertise, and commitment to fostering the humanities.
“As a statewide organization, we’re so fortunate to have board members from every corner of Georgia helping guide our work,” said Georgia Humanities president Mary Wearn. “With their leadership, we’ll be able to reach more people, tell more stories, and inspire meaningful connections that celebrate our shared humanity.”
New Board Members
Ted Cummings (Covington) is the president and CEO of Onyx Media Services Inc. and brings decades of experience from global organizations such as Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, and Equifax. A Leadership Atlanta alumnus, he has served on multiple boards, including Georgia Piedmont Technical College and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce.
Cathy Lee Eckert (Cartersville) is the COO of Georgia Museums Inc., overseeing four major institutions: the Bartow History Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Savoy Automobile Museum, and Tellus Science Museum. She holds a degree in organizational management from Reinhart University and has over 19 years of nonprofit leadership experience.
Penny Houston (Nashville) represented District 170 in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1997 to 2024. Known for her legislative leadership and her advocacy for rural communities, she chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and served on a number of other key committees, including Ways & Means.
Michelle Johnson (Covington) is the Global DE&I Manager at Takeda Pharmaceuticals and was appointed to the Georgia Humanities Board by Governor Brian Kemp. A former community relations director and graduate of Clark Atlanta University and Brenau University, she co-founded the Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Arts Scholarship Fund and serves on multiple boards.
Kathryn Nelson (Blairsville) is the program coordinator for Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit that supports children entering foster care. A Lipscomb University graduate with over thirty years of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has served on the boards of the Union County Chamber of Commerce, Hope House, and Ferst Readers.
Shachar “Shac” Oren (Atlanta) is the founder and CEO of Sound Media Ventures. He previously led Neurotic Media, which he sold to Peloton in 2018. A Georgia State University graduate, he is a strong advocate for music, education, and entrepreneurship and has served on several boards, including Georgia Music Partners and Georgia Tech’s College of Creative Design.
Rondah Q. Thomas (Conyers), an area manager for Georgia Power, oversees community engagement and economic development in South DeKalb and Rockdale counties. A Georgia Tech graduate with over 25 years of HR leadership experience, she has served on numerous community and nonprofit boards, including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.
Stephanie Williams (Lyons) is an artist, graphic designer, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in publishing. She owns multiple publications, including Toombs County Magazine. A graduate of Georgia Southern University, she serves as chair of the Greater Vidalia Chamber and is an active supporter of local arts and culture.
About Georgia Humanities
Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to encourage understanding and inspire hope. Through grantmaking and public programs, we engage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore what shapes us as individuals and binds us together as Georgians. Funding for Georgia Humanities is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and various foundations, donors, and partners.
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