The National Center for Civil and Human Rights announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors.
Joining the Atlanta civil rights museum’s board team are Nikki Tinsley Harland, Verónica Maldonado-Torres and Ivan Shammas.
Harland is currently the chief operating officer of Paradies Lagardère (travel retailer) and previously held leadership roles at Old Navy, the Atlanta Braves, Turner Broadcasting and Babies “R” Us.
Harland’s accolades include being honored with a Georgia TITAN 100 (2025) and receiving the 2024 Outstanding Woman in Leadership–Operations award.
Maldonado-Torres is the president and chief operating officer of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, helping it through a period of major expansion when she came aboard in 2021.
Named one of Georgia Trend’s “100 Most Influential Georgians in 2024,” Maldonado-Torres also serves on the boards of the American Heart Association and The Assembly CID in DeKalb County.
Shammas is the founder and chief executive officer of Hispanic Plug, a multimedia Hispanic marketing and consulting firm.
Accumulating over 25 years of experience in revenue management, operations and communications, Shammas previously led Univision Atlanta and North Carolina, as well as providing support to several boards — including The Same House and Cristo Rey Atlanta.
“These new members add to the skills and expertise of our already outstanding board of directors,” said Jill Savitt, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “As the Center prepares to reopen its expanded space and reimagined galleries, our board of directors provides leadership that supports the Center’s mission and impact.”
The board changes come amidst a busy time for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which is currently undergoing a 24,000-square-foot expansion.
The project will see the addition of immersive galleries, classrooms, flexible meeting spaces and a café to the Atlanta
The Center is set to reopen in Fall 2025.
