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Meet the Team

Thillen Education Foundation is privileged to work with an extraordinary group of volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference in our student’s lives. Our volunteer Board of Directors drives day-to-day foundation operations and partnerships, establishes long-term financial strategy for donor fund investment and disburses earned financial assistance to students, and guides communications and fundraising to continue our efforts for years to come. Each member of our Board of Advisors offers specialized skill sets to provide balanced insight for our strategic initiatives and professional connections to open doors to future collaborations. Our Associates take on special marketing and communications projects to advance our corporate mission. Meet our talented team. 

TEF Founding Board of Advisors

Tania Dowdy
Tania Dowdy

Social Media Community Manager, Truist

David Duley
David Duley

Founder and CEO, PlanGap
Author, I Can Fix America

Dave Hady
Dave Hady

President, Hady Media

Tamika Miller
Tamika Miller

Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee, Parent

Gregg Novek
Gregg Novek

Professor of Finance,
Seton Hall University

Marcus Siwemuke
Marcus Siwemuke

Founder and CEO, Three to Five Publishing

Associates

Web Development
Sam Alefsen
Sam Alefsen

Graduate of Emory University, Owner of SamJo Web Consulting, music audio engineer, trailblazer

Special Projects
Jayden Daniel

Gatewood School student, community volunteer, founder of the Lake Area Easter Basket Project for youth in foster care, Eagle Scout

Art Direction
Emilee Martin
Emilee Martin

Graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, Owner of Emgraphx, adventurer 

Leadership Team

Founder and President
Dave Thillen
Dave Thillen

Creator of the Career Coaching Program, retired IBM Business Unit Executive, instructor and gymnastics coach at West Point, U.S. Army veteran

Vice President
Chuck Rowland
Chuck Rowland

Retired international sales and internal auditing corporate executive, world traveler, avid runner 

Treasurer
Brian Dickens
Brian Dickens

Past Chief Financial Officer for two companies, Past Treasurer for three banks, coach to bank executives, and GCCA career coach

Secretary
Shannon Daniel

TEF Director of Operations, Independent Contractor

GCCA Liaison
John Ellenberg
John Ellenberg

Chief Executive Officer of the Greene College & Career Academy, Former principal of Newton County High School in Georgia, U.S. Army veteran

Career Coach/Student Liaison
Haajar LaRoche

Ritz Carlton Operations, Career Coach, Team Leader

Communications
Mariana Mansfield

CTAE Director, Greene College & Career Academy, Prior Assistant Principal, Greene County High School

Dave Thillen poses with a family at graduation

Join Our Impact

Experience the rewards of preparing a hard-working teen for college, the workforce, or military service, and ensuring a guided, financially-assisted path to their future.

Become a Partner

Activate your business mission by partnering with us to advance student opportunity through earned financial assistance and respectful diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Two students with a Dave Dollar

Sign Up For Events

Nothing is more exciting than seeing our kids engaging with our volunteer life coaches. Join us for our next in-person event! 

Ways to
Get
Involved

Board of Advisors

Corporate Partners
Jack Gavin

Chairman, GMS Inc.

Community Partnerships
Rob Mitchell
Rob Mitchell

Past President of Reynolds Lake Oconee, Past Executive Director of Atlas Ministries, United States Olympic Athlete - Kayak and Canoe Team 

Parental Liaison
Jacqueline Evans

Greene County School System Parent Mentor Special Education, Evans Catering Owner

Communications Outreach
Michelle Valigursky
Michelle Valigursky

President - Amaxim LLC, Managing editor of Emory Business.com and Emory Business magazine at Goizueta Business School, book author, U.S. Chefs' Open winner

School Interface
Greg Simmons

Graduation Coach, Greene College & Career Academy

I/T
Russ Gibson

Business Management and I/T Independent Contractor

Community Relations
Elaine Thillen

Co-Founder, Thillen Education Foundation

President, eKistics LLC

HBCU Relations
Mark Kyles

Construction & Facility Manager

Consultant
Don Loft

Former Partner, Morris, Manning & Martin LLC, First Tee Coach

Consultant
Dipti Steele

I/T executive at Fortune 100 companies including Nike and Home Depot

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