Twenty-eight high school students representing 28 counties across Georgia graduated from the second cohort of Youth LEAD Georgia™, a program that equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to become future leaders of the state. This program is facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A.

The graduation took place Nov. 10 at Trilith Studios near Atlanta.

Vivian Reyes, of Cartersville, plans to study Public Policy and International Relations in college. Reyes, a senior at Adairsville High School, will be the first in her family to attend college.

“As a first-generation college student, Youth LEAD has given me the confidence to start meaningful conversations and share my voice,” she said. “In the future, I hope to return to Georgia and help guide the next generation of leaders.”

Reflecting on her experience, Reyes added:

“I’ll carry with me the importance of connection, collaboration, and continuous growth. This program reminded me that leadership is a lifelong journey—you never stop learning.”

Over the past year, Youth LEAD Georgia students traveled across state while developing their leadership skills. In addition to leadership training, they participated in experiential learning activities, met with local business and community leaders, and engaged in dialogue on current issues and challenges facing the state.

“It’s been inspiring to watch our second Youth LEAD Georgia cohort grow into confident leaders,” said Lauren Healey, senior public service faculty at UGA’s Fanning Institute for Leadership Development who oversees the program. “These students are leaving with the skills and connections to make a real impact in their communities, which is exactly what this program is designed to do.”

The yearlong leadership cohort of 30 youth met five times throughout the year, including four leadership sessions in different areas of the state, a weeklong bus tour visiting other areas not captured in the sessions, and a summer leadership summit with 159 youth from across Georgia.

Additionally, at the end of the year, cohort participants are invited to apply for a Bullard Community Champion grant. These grants, awarded at graduation and made possible by gifts from Regions Bank and Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, allow students to put their leadership skills into action by accessing financial resources to coordinate service projects in their local communities.

A $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute provides financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia. Thanks to this support, Youth LEAD Georgia is available at no cost to participants.

Congratulations to the 2025 Youth LEAD Georgia graduates:
Mia Burnett, Sale City
Timothy Carter, Augusta
Victoria Alexis Clark, Smyrna
Ryan Clark, Albany
Brodie Combs, Grovetown
Paige Folette, Blackshear
Abigail Garland, Mansfield
Nathaniel Guidry, Athens
Kenwin Hayes, Lilburn
Zoe Hill, Between
Chandler Lewis, McDonough
Davis Markham, Newnan
Londyn Miller, Atlanta
Elaina Parker, Lawrenceville
Brooks Potter, Americus
Vivian Reyes, Cartersville
John Rice, Roswell
Yasmin Rios, Swainsboro
Najah Saadiq, Cairo
Caroline Sawhill, Rome
Mason Scoville, Carrollton
Sneha Singh, Warner Robins
Abigail Sulkowski, Rincon
Andrew Taylor, Griffin
Holden Walton, Valdosta
Jonas Wei, Cumming
Colin Williams, Colquitt
Adalyn Winder, Summerville

The 2026 Youth LEAD Georgia class will be announced later this month and will begin programming in January.

For more information on Youth LEAD Georgia, click here.