Leadership Augusta is pleased to announce the selection of Chris Bird with Augusta Entertainment Complex as Class Chair and Kate Sanders of Alison South Marketing Group as Class Co-Chair for the Leadership Augusta 2023 Adult Class.  

Chris Bird, a graduate of Leadership Augusta Class of 2016, Leadership Salina, and the University of South Carolina, is the General Manager of the Augusta Entertainment Complex.  The complex consists of the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium and are owned by the Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority.  Most recently, Chris led $6 million in renovations to The Bell Auditorium and has improved the venue's ranking as the top ticketing grossing venue in Georgia outside the Atlanta metro.  Chris serves as a member of the board of directors for United Way of the CSRA, Destination Augusta, Augusta Sports Council, The Burn Foundation of America, and Leadership Augusta.  He campaigned for the Augusta Leukemia Lymphoma Society's 2016 Man & Woman of the Year event, raised $50,034, and was recognized with the Community Involvement award. 

Augusta native Kate Sanders, a graduate of Leadership Augusta Class of 2016 and the University of Georgia, manages Alison South’s agency operations, including more than 50 employees, as the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner.  Alison South has been named among the Top 10 Workplaces in SC as a direct reflection of her dedication.  An experienced strategist, Kate leads the Marketing Action Plan team to develop strategies and brands for clients.  Kate frequently shares her expertise in marketing and leadership through the Augusta Metro Chamber Small Business Marketing Academy and as a guest speaker at the Hull College of Business, Columbia County Youth Leadership and Young Professionals of Augusta.  Prior to joining Alison South, she spent seven years working in nonprofit management, marketing, campaign fundraising and event planning for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The American Red Cross.  She received the LLS Mission Award for the Georgia Chapter in 2012.  As a volunteer, she continues to be involved with the American Red Cross as Board Chair-Elect and as a board member of Leadership Augusta.  She also serves on the Women In Business committee of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.  Most recently she was named People’s Choice and Top Fundraiser at the 2022 Fake It To Make It to benefit SafeHomes of Augusta.  Her team raised over $90,000 to benefit the cause.