Leadership DeKalb has named Maria Balais as its new executive director, succeeding Caroline Moise who has served as interim executive director since July 2012.

Balais will be responsible for leading the membership organization in areas including leadership program development, fundraising, strategic planning, community relations, and board and volunteer coordination.

“The board selected Maria based on her proven relationship-building and organizational talent,” said Leadership DeKalb Chair Bo Spalding. “With her passion for the community and extensive background with not-for-profits, she is a perfect fit to lead our mission of strengthening leadership across DeKalb County.”

Before joining Leadership DeKalb, Balais managed her own consulting firm that provided corporate and not-for-profit organizations with public affairs, community outreach, communications, event management, organizational development and program management services.
Prior to consulting she managed the ING Corporate Foundation and led community relations at Troutman Sanders, LLP.

Balais has served on the boards of the League of Women Voters Atlanta-Fulton Chapter, Provost Academy Georgia, Anti-Prejudice Consortium and the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association. She is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2006 and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Agnes Scott College.

“Caroline Moise has been wonderful as interim executive director,” said Spalding.  “Everyone who cares about Leadership DeKalb is in her debt, and we wish her the best in every way. Fortunately, Maria is highly capable as well, and will build on the good work of Caroline and her predecessor, Sara Fountain.”

About Leadership DeKalb

Founded in 1986, Leadership DeKalb, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is a community leadership development program that continues to build a network of ethnically and culturally diverse adult and youth leaders who are committed to addressing and resolving the issues that impact the quality of life in DeKalbCountyand the metro region. For more information, visit www.leadershipdekalb.org. Or, find us on Twitter @LeadersofDeKalb or Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeadershipDeKalb.