Athens Chamber Celebrates Successful Completion of 2025 GeorgiaForward Young Gamechangers

The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 2025 GeorgiaForward Young Gamechangers Program, a statewide leadership and economic development initiative that brought an exceptional cohort of young professionals to Athens-Clarke County for months of collaborative research, innovation, and community problem-solving.

As a dedicated partner and supporter of this year’s program, the Athens-Area Chamber applauds the creativity, commitment, and hard work demonstrated by the 2025 Gamechanger cohort, whose final recommendations offer fresh opportunities to strengthen the economic, cultural, and civic landscape of Athens.

“Hosting the Young Gamechangers has been an energizing experience for our community,” said David Bradley, President & CEO of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. “The cohort’s perspective, talent, and passion for improving Athens have been remarkable. We are incredibly proud to support this program and grateful for the long lasting ideas it brings to our region.”

This year’s cohort, made up of 45 emerging leaders from across Georgia, immersed themselves in Athens-Clarke County to study complex local challenges and develop initiative, data-driven solutions. Their final presentations offered actionable strategies around economic development, public space activation, workforce retention, neighborhood connectivity, and community engagement.
GeorgiaForward leadership also praised both the cohort and the Athens community for their commitment to collaboration.

“The Gamechangers program succeeds because of partners like the Athens Area Chamber, who believe in cultivating leaders and investing in Georgia’s future,” said Amir Farokhi, Chair of GeorgiaForward. “This year’s cohort demonstrated tremendous talent, and the support from Athens made their experience meaningful and productive.”

“Our organization is dedicated to bridging divides and fostering statewide conversations that lead to real progress,” added Sadie Krawczyk, Managing Director of GeorgiaForward. “The Athens community welcomed our participants with open arms, and the results of their work reflect that partnership. We are deeply grateful to the Chamber for helping make this program a success.”

The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce extends its appreciation to GeorgiaForward, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, community partners, and all sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2025 Young Gamechangers cohort. Together, these partnerships strengthen Georgia’s leadership pipeline and inspire innovative solutions for communities across the state.

For more information about the GeorgiaForward Young Gamechangers program, visit GeorgiaForward.org or contact Athens Area Chamber of Commerce at 706-549-6800.

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About GeorgiaForward: GeorgiaForward, a nonprofit managed by the Georgia Municipal Association, works to improve Georgia by fostering civic engagement, developing future leaders, and empowering collaborative problem-solving. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, we help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and build vibrant, economically prosperous communities. To learn more about GeorgiaForward, visit www.georgiaforward.org.