Might Could- Stories of Innovation in the ATL

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast? Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming special guests Chuck and Stacy Reece, co-founders of Salvation South. Chuck was previously co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Bitter Southerner, which aimed to debunk stereotypes about our region by uncovering the American South in all its truth and complexity, and is now editor-in-chief of Salvation South. Stacy is President of Down South House & Home, which offers high quality Southern themed home goods with clean classic designs, and now co-founder and head of merchandise for Salvation South. Salvation South aims to celebrate the unique Southern culture that unifies us all and explore some of our current divisions in the hope that we can begin having civil conversations, perhaps not always agreeing with each other, but walking away as friends.

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast? Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

Today’s special guest is LeAndra Jordan, currently Sr. Program Manager and Site lead, The Garage at Microsoft Atlanta, where she has also held the position of Program Manager. She is an entrepreneur, and has as a Georgia Work Ready Administrator, acting as a direct public liaison for the Georgia Work Ready Partnership and contributing to the successful certification of over 1,500 examinees in the Clayton County area; as a consultant for Clayton Statue University; and as Regional Lead for the Microsoft Certified Trainer Program. In her current role, she designs programs and experiences for Microsoft employees, customers, and partners that drive collaboration, creativity, and experimentation. The motto “doers, not talkers,” is at the core of what The Garage is, and what it delivers.

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast? Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

On Friday, December 10, The Hatchery welcomed special guest Jamie Lackey, CEO of Helping Mamas, Inc., to hear how her background in social work led her to become a nonprofit innovator. Jamie Lackey is Founder and CEO of Helping Mamas, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that works with over 150 agencies throughout metro Atlanta to provide essential baby items and period products to families that need them most.

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast? Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future. Register now to join The Hatchery on November 12, 12-1pm ET, for a special conversation with two local innovators working to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in Metro Atlanta. Andrea Jaron is Executive Director at Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to those in need. She previously served as chief development officer for Meals On Wheels Atlanta, and leverages her background in development and law to promote the welfare of others. Deep Kalina is the founder and CEO of IntuitioLabs, an Atlanta-based, full-service agency specializing in product design, development, and performance marketing. With a global team of 80+ strategists, designers, developers, and marketers, they help businesses create and scale award-winning digital products and applications. Deep is a member of the board of Second Helpings Atlanta. This is your chance to hear Andrea and Deep’s invaluable perspectives on on addressing food insecurity, and to ask your questions about innovating to address the needs of those in Metro Atlanta.

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast?

Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

This week is a special conversation with arts innovators Anne Dennington and Charmaine Minniefield.

As Executive Director of Flux Projects, Anne Dennington produces temporary public art projects that connect and grow artists and audiences in Atlanta through the creative power of place. As a visual artist and artist activist, Charmaine Minniefield seeks to preserve Black narratives by creating public art in communities affected by gentrification and erasure.

The two recently collaborated on Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives, honoring over 800 recently-discovered, unmarked African American graves in Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery.

This is your chance to hear their perspectives on how the arts can reclaim lost narratives, shift perspectives, and galvanize communities—and to ask them your questions on art and innovation.

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Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast?

Might Could, a podcast series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

This week we are joined by Sanjay Parekh, Serial Technology Entrepreneur.

Sanjay is currently the founder of Mirage Data, a startup focused on securing data to prevent data leaks, and a co-founder of both TogetherLetters, a service for groups to share without using social media, and Edgewise, a marketing content creation company that uses podcasts as a content engine. He is also a co-host of Tech Talk Y'all, a tech news comedy podcast.

His startup journey started as the founding CEO of Digital Envoy, and inventor of the company’s patented NetAcuity IP intelligence technology. Digital Envoy was acquired by Landmark Communications in 2007, and Sanjay then launched Startup Riot, a conference for startups that pioneered the three-minute, four-slide presentation format. He is also an inventor on twelve issued U.S. patents.

Might Could, a new series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future.

Jeremy Gilbertson is a serial entrepreneur and Renaissance man who works at the intersection of music, tech, and wellbeing. He is Partner & Executive Producer at Tunewelders, a firm that crafts sonic environments and audio experiences to connect people through music and storytelling; Head of Music at Infinite By SUKU, a blockchain ecosystem and marketplace; a freelance Fractional Music Officer who helps brands to orchestrate authentic music strategies and partnerships; and a freelance writer on such topics as interdisciplinary thinking, technology, health, and the creative process.

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast?

“Might Could: Stories of Innovation in the ATL,” is a new series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, that seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future. This week we will be speaking with Kacie Lett Gordon.

Kacie Lett Gordon is the Founder of It All Media, and host of the It All Podcast - the #1 destination for modern women to redefine “it all.”

Kacie is a builder, problem solver, storyteller, coach and advisor. She is driven and defined by her ability to connect people, create value, and change what it means to be a woman (in business).

Prior to founding her company in November 2020, she led strategy for a boutique innovation and growth firm here in Atlanta, where she co-founded an innovation practice centered on helping enterprises build new capabilities and businesses; and the largest innovation community in the Southeast.

Kacie took that experience of sales, marketing, strategy and building to create It All Media in November 2020. The company is centered on redefining and expanding the narratives, beliefs, systems, and actions that create barriers - real or perceived - to defining and creating one’s own “it all.”

Why is Atlanta the innovation capital of the Southeast? “Might Could: Stories of Innovation in the ATL,” is a new series from The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, that seeks to answer that question in conversation with innovation thought leaders and disruptors in non-profits, higher education, and industry who are making Atlanta a city of the future. This week we will be speaking with Karen Cashion, CEO of Tech Alpharetta.

Karen Cashion is CEO of Tech Alpharetta, a tech economic development engine for Alpharetta and the region that helps to grow new tech companies and jobs, attract and retain tech companies, and develop a skilled workforce. Tech Alpharetta accomplishes these goals through its strategic advisory board, tech startup incubator in Alpharetta, tech thought leadership, educational programs, and key partnerships.

Karen is also the founder, Chairperson, and past president of the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network (“GATN”), which merged into Tech Alpharetta in 2018, and an attorney with twenty years of experience as a commercial litigator and corporate technology lawyer. She has served as a Commissioner on the City of Alpharetta’s Planning Commission, and is a graduate of Leadership North Fulton as well as the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the North Fulton Bar Association, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the University of North Georgia’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

This first episode of The Hatchery's new podcasting series features entrepreneur Geoff Wilson, President and Founder of innovation and growth agency Three Five Two, and Founder of Sports Card Investor, the go-to source of information and resources for investors in the sports trading card space.

This is your chance to hear Geoff’s invaluable perspectives by video conference, and to ask him your questions about innovation and entrepreneurship in the ATL.