DULUTH, GA – On Wednesday, the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program welcomed more than 270 private school leaders from across the state to its “GOALTenders Conference,” held at Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia. This full-day event focused on providing essential updates and highlighting effective practices to further the reach and maximize the impact of the Georgia Education Tax Credit program. With engaging panels, targeted breakout sessions, and the presentation of GOAL Achievement Awards, the conference brought together a passionate community committed to ensuring that every Georgia family has access to the best educational opportunities for their children.
The event opened with welcome remarks, followed by a dynamic general session highlighting GOAL’s continued success in expanding educational opportunities. “We are continually inspired by the dedication of our partner schools, who take on the hard work of fundraising to make this program thrive,” said Ben Saylor, President and CEO of the GOAL Scholarship Program. “It’s an honor to work with you all to expand education access for Georgia’s students.”
A special “Get to Know GOAL’s Board” segment introduced attendees to three of GOAL’s board members: Avion Abreu, President and Co-Founder of Ourhaus Property Group Powered by Compass; Andrea Dove, Director of Business Development at HunterMaclean; and Mike Landsberg, Principal at HB Wealth. Each shared their perspectives on GOAL’s mission, the importance of school choice, and their personal commitment to the program’s success.
The morning continued with a series of breakout sessions, allowing participants to choose from three specialized tracks. The “Maximizing the GOAL with Business Owners and CPAs” session explored strategies for engaging business leaders and leveraging tax credit benefits. The “Challenges and Opportunities with Legislation and Proration” session examined the legislative landscape and its impact on scholarship allocation. The “What I Wish I Knew When I Started – Proven Practices” session offered practical advice from experienced school leaders on program implementation.
Over lunch, GOAL presented its annual GOAL Achievement Awards, honoring schools that have demonstrated exceptional engagement and impact through the program. The afternoon session, “Hear from Your Peers,” featured a panel of advancement leaders who shared best practices for donor engagement, stewardship, and community building. Panelists included Chad McDaniel, Chief Development Officer at Wesleyan School; Jennifer New, Chief Development Officer at Mount Paran Christian School; Jenn Sedlack, Director of Advancement at St. Pius X Catholic High School; and Peter Rooney, President of Atlanta Youth Academy.
By the close of the day, participants left with valuable tools, insights, and connections to support their school communities and advance the impact of the Georgia Education Tax Credit program. The conference reinforced GOAL’s dedication to working with private K-12 schools statewide to expand access to high-quality educational opportunities for all families.
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