As 2024 comes to a close, Leadership DeKalb Executive Director Shara Sanders is taking stock of the year, and leaning into the future of the program.
Leadership DeKalb is a 10-month program comprised on 55 professionals who live, work, or have a vested interest in DeKalb County. Members of the 2025 class have careers in education, healthcare, law, emergency services, utilities, and include DeKalb County School District Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, DeKalb Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sandra Valenciano, and City of Decatur Fire Department Cpt. Kevin Rice.
The class meets monthly from August to June for leadership training and small group projects that benefit nonprofits in DeKalb.
Under Sanders’ direction, Leadership DeKalb’s class of 2025 has expanded its model to serve 10 nonprofit organizations, rather than one per class.
“We just wanted to make sure we’re helping out these nonprofits and making it a positive experience for everybody,” Sanders explained.
Issues range from poverty and unhoused population, crime and public safety, and transportation and infrastructure. Each group is researching the issue, and the actions currently being taken by the county to analyze where help is needed.
Also new under Sanders: At the culmination of the class, Leadership DeKalb plans to present the DeKalb Board of Commissioners and new CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson with a report on its findings.
“I can help lift up and support other leaders, and give them the tools to make DeKalb County a better place,” Sanders said. “Better leaders make a better DeKalb.”
Sanders has seen the evolution of the program since she was a member of the 2017 class of Leadership DeKalb, nominated by DeKalb school board member Allyson Gevertz. “I met a lot of amazing people,” Sanders recalled.
By 2019, Sanders was asked to serve as a board member. She recalled that after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leaving the nonprofit to experience “transitions and turmoil,” Leadership DeKalb needed a new executive director. All eyes were on her.
She started in July 2022 as a part-time interim director, while wrapping up a major case for her law firm. By October 2023, Leadership DeKalb offered Sanders the opportunity to work full time.
“I jumped at the chance,” said Sanders, who maintains her law license and an open-door invitation to rejoin Sugarman Law. “I love practicing law and I love being a lawyer, but this just felt like an opportunity to make a positive impact on leaders in DeKalb County.”
Sanders earned two bachelors degrees from Presbyterian College and Florida State University, and a law degree from Emory University School of Law.
