MEET OUR TEAM

A passionate traveler, dedicated church volunteer and loving grandmother, Shanae enjoys the exhilarating thrill of a motorcycle ride. Her career included roles such as a program manager, HR data analyst, and computer programmer/web developer - accumulating a wealth of knowledge and expertise prior to her retirement. She's an avid bowler and also possesses a penchant for shopping, volunteering and a particular liking for Munch Moose Popcorn.

With an impressive 35 years at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Jackie has a wealth of experience designing projects to support patients and their families as they navigate their cancer journeys. A native Spanish speaker, Jackie is driven with strong organizational skills and a creative mindset…and she loves adventuring to coastal destinations with her husband. Jackie's dedication and commitment makes her a perfect fit for the Georgia Festival of Trees leadership team.

Meredith is a family-oriented individual with a heart for community service. She enjoys celebrating life's moments with her husband, Dan, and their two children, Reagan and Cam. With a bright, festive spirit, she eagerly awaits the holidays to enjoy time with family and contribute to charitable causes.

Rodney, an experienced event production director for an Emmy-nominated awards show, managed the festival stage for the past three years! His expertise and professionalism show as he quickly identifies issues and finds quick solutions. When not creating amazing productions, Rodney spends his time coaching youth sports in Atlanta.

Robin Free is diligent and passionate and thrives on organization and creativity. She is a stay-at-home mom who finds joy in the everyday details of life. She enjoys tennis, and working out, and has an intriguing affinity for true crime. Robin values the spirit of volunteerism and treasures the passion demonstrated by the volunteers she interacts with.

A seasoned avionics mechanic with a passion for construction, Fred has years of service for Delta Air Lines under his belt. Having honed his technical abilities, Fred is proficient in electrical work and tool usage. With a heart as big as his skillset, he often volunteers in his local community and is a dedicated father of three. A Florida lover and an avid hiker, he has rarely seen a trail he didn't want to explore.

Meet Gina Howren, a resourceful and creative spirit, whose craftiness shines through everything she does. A Charleston, SC native, Gina is now a proud UGA fan and harbors a special affection for daisies. In her free time, Gina expresses her creativity through crafting and immerses herself in books, further fueling her imaginative spirit. A dedicated wife and proud mother, Gina also devotes her time to volunteering, reflecting her selfless nature.

A two-day Jeopardy! champion, Sarah's intellect is as impressive as her love for Dairy Queen's S'mores Blizzard. In her professional life, she serves as a law librarian at the DeKalb County Law Library. A passionate volunteer, she spends her free time with activities like knitting, crocheting, sewing, and hiking. Whether she's answering questions during a quiz bowl competition or in the library, Sarah always enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.

Meet Angie Patterson, a woman of many passions. Now retired, her expertise lies in, organizational skills and relationship building. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, hiking, and supporting the Bulldogs. She is a passionate advocate fighting to end human trafficking in Georgia and has had a significant impact in the community.

With over 40 years of experience in sales, marketing, and printing, Kathy now applies her exceptional leadership skills to volunteering - having volunteered for the Detroit Grand Prix, Habitat for Humanity, her parish Food Pantry, and even directed a float for the 2000 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her adventures have spanned the globe from the Caribbean to the Arctic Circle. A resident of Roswell, Georgia, she cherishes the proximity of her family and dreams of her next trip to Italy.

Meet Stacy, a passionate traveler, SCUBA diver, cyclist, and dog lover. With over 30 years of experience in the marketing industry, she is a creative powerhouse! Stacy is excited to bring her expertise and love for fun to the festival while supporting its important cause.

Brianna, a Financial Advisor at Raymond James, values family and spreading joy. She cherishes her close-knit family and enjoys activities like reading, writing poetry, and dancing. She loves the Georgia Festival of Trees for the happiness it brings to the community during the festive season.

Jocelyn is the amazing director of hundreds of volunteers working at the festival. A lover of holiday lights and festive decorations, she enjoys transforming spaces into magical experiences. She cherishes moments with family and friends and loves to surround herself with uplifting holiday music. Jocelyn also has a knack for languages and is fluent in French and German.

Laura is a devoted mother, fitness enthusiast, and passionate volunteer committed to her community. In addition to her contributions to the Georgia Festival of Trees, she serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for neglected and abused children. She is a remarkable individual who is a testament to the power of service and dedication.

Passionate about crafts, holidays, and Yorkies, Angie is the mastermind behind the beautiful Department 56 Village display. Family-oriented with two children and seven grandchildren, she embraces the joy of Christmas and is always eager to try new things. She is a true lover of life and all things joyful!

The ultimate Christmas enthusiast with a heart for service, Cara adorns her home with 19 Christmas trees every holiday season. Not only is she a mother to 5 and grandmother to 2, but a dedicated social worker by profession. From thrifting to decorating, she thrives on transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Always organized, Cara channels her passion for art and decor into every aspect of her life, making the world around her a little bit brighter.

Meet Lori, the powerhouse behind Lil' Elves Driving Academy. When she's not managing the front desk at a dental office, she's a devoted wife, mother of six, and grandmother of eight. Despite her busy schedule, Lori finds joy in the holiday season despite her dislike of shopping. Join her at the Festival of Trees to feel the magic of the holidays!

A seasoned professional with a ten-year tenure in owning a successful sales franchise, Kim now brings her expertise to a CPA firm. Kim has visited Disney World over a hundred times, making her a tried-and-true Disney enthusiast. She is a baseball aficionado, a Christmas enthusiast, and a lover of arts and crafts. When she's not exploring Disney's magical kingdoms or crunching numbers, you can find her enjoying chocolate cake paired perfectly with chocolate chip ice cream.

Zirra loves crafting, reading, and playing word games. A general manager at a loan company, she has acquired many skills and claims to be a Jack of all trades but a master of few. She loves the Festival of Trees because it brings the joy of Christmas to so many people.

Martha has a vibrant and dynamic personality. When not working as a Human Resource Director, she enjoys going to the beach, gardening, cooking, and reading. She is an ardent volunteer for several organizations and diligently serves wherever needed. Martha embodies a life well-lived with a perfect blend of professional success and personal fulfillment.

Mary Ann is a Tennessee native with over 30 years of experience in HR. Outside of work, she enjoys music, boating, and spending quality time with her two adult children and three wonderful grandchildren. She is passionate about ending human trafficking and enjoys the opportunity to support this cause through the Festival of Trees.

Meet Zaina, a passionate singer who spreads hope through gospel music. She is passionate about government affairs and advocacy and is pursuing her studies at Georgia State University. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zaina is a trailblazer as a first-generation American in her family.

Brian Jones is a dynamic leader with a passion for dance and sports. He also loves computers and technology, making him an incredible asset in any setting. Brian's performance group has been featured at the festival several times and he has jumped in to help wherever he can. He is an incredible addition to the leadership team!

Meet Mark Maher, a man with a green thumb, a devoted father to two daughters, and disc golf enthusiast. Having gained considerable experience as a Home Depot Nursery Account Manager, he's as comfortable discussing poinsettias as he is handling power tools. A go-to handyman, Mark's a jack of all trades in the truest sense. His knack for pulling things together and affable character make him an integral part of the Georgia Festival of Trees.

Meet Kathleen McDaniel, a passionate and creative culinary powerhouse. Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga, she is an Executive Pastry Chef at Zambawango Desserts & Coffee. Kathleen had an epic win against the renowned chef Bobby Flay in “Beat Bobby Flay” in 2020. She infuses the same love she has for life into her desserts that beautifully blends her passions and achievements.

Gail is a spirited individual who finds joy in pastel drawing, traveling, reading, and engaging in rounds of bridge (not necessarily in that order). Starting her career in retail, she eventually found her niche in product development and management for various managed care insurance companies. Her talents extend to language mastery, organizational skills, and a sweet spot for baking.

Renee is a retired special education teacher with 33 years of experience. She loves family time, church activities, and cooking. A woman of many talents, she loves cookie decorating and playing the piano. Renee uses her many talents in Mrs. Claus' Kitchen as she helps children (ages 0-99) create sugar cookie masterpieces!

Kathy Tedeschi has an exciting number of interests, including Bible study, Mahjong, choral singing, and swimming. Retired but active, Kathy loves making new friends. She also loves the spirit of Christmas, and as a senior outreach coordinator, she is actively engaged in spreading excitement about the festival throughout the community.

Meet Detra, a passionate individual with a heart for service and love for her community. From being an avid sports fan to enjoying movies, arts, theatre, and travel, she brings a rich tapestry of interests and experiences to the table. Her fond memories of volunteering at the Festival of Trees resonate deeply with her, and she is excited it's making a comeback in Gwinnett County.

Ashley enjoys reading, watching sports, and taking naps. As a hiring and training coordinator for a law firm specializing in civil litigation, she strives to bring calmness in chaos and create laughter. She finds joy in witnessing people's creativity as they craft beautiful trees and wreaths. She and her husband, Jeff, have two spoiled cats that complete their happy home.

Meet Frank, the insurance executive turned Head Elf, Waffles McSnowflake, at the Georgia Festival of Trees! Join him as he spreads joy and surprises to guests at the festival. Keep an eye out for Waffles - he's all about spreading holiday cheer!

Jeff Ulibarri is a Data Scientist with a love for music. A die-hard soccer fan, he regularly attends Atlanta United games with his wife, Ashley. Jeff is a dedicated community advocate, seeking to bring metro Atlanta together for a great cause. His great personality and professional excellence make him a dynamic part of the team.

Steven is known for having a big heart and willingness to help wherever he is needed. As a senior software engineer he is detail oriented and efficient. These skills carry over in all he does. Steven is the father of two children and enjoys building LEGOs, playing games, and having fun adventures whenever possible.

Talela is a passionate traveler, fitness enthusiast, sci-fi lover, photography buff, and a proud parent of two children. She spends her days working as a marketing manager but also enjoys coding and graphic design. She is excited to use her vast experience in project management to help the Festival of Trees bring the new Pink Pig to life!

Retired after 40 years at USPS, Sylvia is dedicated to her passion for vocal training and choir direction. She previously led the Atlanta District Postal Choir for 16 years and currently oversees the Judah Choir at Sugarhill Church. She has been married for 35 years, and has a daughter. With her amazing talents, she is a perfect addition to the team.

Sherry Jolly, a seasoned explorer with a creative mind, enjoys hiking and quilting. She recently returned to Georgia after living in the picturesque Cotswolds of England for the past year. Sherry is a master of organization, negotiation, and communication and brings a wealth of experience to the festival leadership team.

A fervent lover of all things Christmas, Kathy adores the twinkly lights and festive atmosphere the holidays provide. With a husband and four lovely daughters, Kathy keeps busy with family time, random crafting projects, and lots of shopping. With her sparkly sneakers and colorful fashion choices (lots of pink), she is a perfect addition to the festival team!

Introducing Suzanne (Suzy) Neves - a talented baker, cake decorator, and craft enthusiast! With twin girls who are 16 years old, she is busy enjoying her role as a mom and homemaker. Suzy and her girls often volunteer at the festival warehouse and have become an integral part of the team. Her warm and friendly nature is appreciated by all.

A passionate traveler, church volunteer and loving grandmother, Peggy enjoys the thrill of a motorcycle ride. She worked as a program manager, HR data analyst, and computer programmer/web developer - accumulating great knowledge and expertise before her retirement. She's an avid bowler and loves shopping, volunteering and eating Munch Moose Popcorn.