Foundation Staff

At the Athens Area Community Foundation, we work to help you Create a Dynamic Legacy.

Sarah McKinney began serving the Athens Area Community Foundation as President | CEO in March 2017. When she accepted the position, she was the Director of Development for the Georgia 4-H Foundation at the University of Georgia. Prior to her work with Georgia 4-H, Sarah served the Athens Community Council on Aging for fifteen years, beginning as an intern in college, and leaving having successfully created and filled the first position of Director of Development.

Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She continued her education with a Certificate of Gerontology from Kennesaw State University, a Certificate of Leadership from the University of Dayton, and Certificates of Basic and Advanced Nonprofit Financial Management from Duquesne University’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute.

Today, as a professional working in philanthropy, Sarah’s role is centered on helping convene the interest of donors, nonprofits, and community institutions to build, distribute, and preserve philanthropic assets that will enhance quality of life in the Athens area for generations to come.

Sarah is a proud member of the Jackson EMC Board of Directors, First American Bank & Trust Board, Jackson County School System Foundation Board, Georgia Grantmakers Alliance Steering Committee, Philanthropy Southeast Community Foundation Committee, Rotary Club of Athens Foundation, 2017-2018 LEAD Athens class, Leadership Jackson 2025, and Leadership Georgia Class of 2019.

Sarah and her husband of 24 years, John, are parents to Nathan and Anna.

Stephanie Mann joined the work of the Athens Area Community Foundation in December 2019 to coordinate Empty Stocking Fund grants and now serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Operations. In her role, she is responsible for driving the execution of strategic planning, marketing and communications, key community leadership activities, and oversee the leadership of all operations.

Stephanie graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia with a B.B.A in Accounting. She continued her education with a Master’s of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Georgia. She received her CFRE designation (Certified Fundraising Executive) from CFRE International and she is a 21/64 certified advisor for family philanthropy. She has passionately served with local nonprofits in the Athens Area prior to this role focusing on administrative leadership, grant writing, and event planning.

Stephanie and her husband Michael are glad to call Athens home and are proud parents of their sons, Estiven and Thomas.

Nicole Washington joined the Athens Area Community Foundation in May 2024 as Operations Manager and was promoted to Director of Grantmaking and Scholarships in July 2026. In her current role, Nicole leads the Foundation’s grantmaking efforts and oversees the administration and stewardship of scholarship funds, helping connect charitable resources with opportunities that strengthen communities across the region. 

Nicole is a seasoned professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Brenau University’s Women’s College, specializing in journalism and public relations. Her career spans operations, marketing, and organizational leadership across a variety of industries, including poultry, off-campus student housing, health and fitness, and philanthropy. This diverse experience enables her to bring a strategic, people-centered approach to grantmaking and community impact. 

Deeply committed to civic engagement and equity, Nicole proudly serves on the boards of Athens Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures. She previously served on the Athens-Clarke County Human Relations Commission and is a graduate of LEAD Athens Class of 2026. Through both her professional and volunteer leadership, Nicole is dedicated to fostering opportunity, strengthening community connections, and creating meaningful, lasting change. 

Nicole and her husband have called Athens home since 2017. Known for her strategic thinking, authenticity, and passion for community impact, she is honored to help advance the Foundation’s mission of strengthening the region through philanthropy, scholarship, and grantmaking. 

Chloe joined the work of the Athens Area Community Foundation in March of 2025 in the role of Executive Administrator. In this role she will provide a full range of support to the daily operations of the Athens Area Community Foundation that enhance our role as a trusted community leader, trusted partner for local organizations, and a trusted guide for local philanthropy.

A long standing Athenian, Chloe brings to us her love for fostering community wellbeing and a passion for enhancing relationships with the individuals that equally love the city she has called home for so long. After working in various local fields including the Athens service industry, education and business management, Chloe enrolled in and completed the Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) program at Athens Technical College in 2023. She attributes her newly learned skills and existing connections to her current and future success and looks forward to continuing to grow with AACF.

Chloe currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Taylor Grady House National Historic Landmark Inc. and volunteers with the Athens Mentor Program.

She and her husband Davey, a local business owner and her son David currently reside in Watkinsville with their 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Elise North joined the Athens Area Community Foundation in September 2026 as Donor Services Manager. In her role, she works alongside donors and community partners to provide thoughtful, responsive support and help connect philanthropic giving with meaningful impact throughout the Athens area.

Elise is originally from Tennessee and has a business degree from Covenant College. She continued her education with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia in 2010. She brings a diverse background in human resources, organizational leadership, marketing, communications, and nonprofit and ministry leadership. She most recently served for the past several years as Marketing and HR Coordinator for SPG Planners + Engineers. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in nonprofit and ministry settings, experiences that shaped her commitment to caring well for people and building healthy, effective organizations.

Elise is passionate about bringing clarity to complex work, strengthening relationships, and creating systems that allow people and organizations to thrive. At the heart of her work, however, is a simple belief in the importance of seeing people, knowing their stories, and caring well for the people in her life and community. She is excited to bring that people-centered perspective to her work with donors and the broader Athens community.

Elise is an active member of Resurrection Presbyterian Church, where she teaches Sunday School. She lives in Watkinsville with her husband Jon, four sons, and dog George.

Join Our Team