21CL Appoints New Chair + Executive Team to its Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21st Century Leaders Appoints New Chair of its Board of Directors

New Executive Slate also Named for 2025-2026

(October 1, 2025) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders’ announces the appointment of Chris Reynolds as chair and Mari Sifo as vice chair to its board of directors. Reynolds succeeds DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D, who has been serving as chair of the board since October 2022. The appointment was effective October 1, 2025 as the start of the organization’s fiscal year. Rhodes’ commitment to 21st Century Leaders is longstanding, having been a board member since 2019 and a volunteer prior to that. 

Dr. Rhodes said, “It has been an honor to serve as board chair and work with our incredible board and staff to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders. Having Chris serve as my Vice Chair for the last year, I’m confident that the critical work of 21st Century Leaders will continue to thrive under Chris’ leadership.” 

Reynolds has worked in the investment industry for more than 30 years. He has held senior positions with U. S. Bancorp Asset Management, RiskBridge Advisors, Cornerstone Investment Partners, Rigel Capital, LLC, Atlanta Capital Management Company, LLC, and Barclays Global Investors. He is also Founder of Fiduciary Services Unlimited LLC where he helps nonprofits improve board performance and effectiveness. Chris earned both a Bachelor of General Studies and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Houston. Chris has been active in his community having served on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards, including The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Cool Girls, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. He is married to his college sweetheart and is the proud parent of two daughters and two grandchildren.

“I’m honored to serve in this leadership role and look forward to working with my fellow board members to enhance the futures of high schoolers in Georgia,” said Chris Reynolds. “I’ve continued to be impressed by 21st Century Leaders innovative programming, designed to encourage and inspire our Georgia teens into becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

“Our Board of Directors have continued to lead this organization with passion, purpose, and strategy for 36 years and we’re thrilled to have Chris and Mari continue that legacy,” said 21CL’s Executive Director Kate Hewitt. “As our former board chair, DeRetta’s leadership was unmatched through the launch of our endowment, the creation of our leadership certification from a world renowned business school, and the accelerated growth of the organization.  On behalf of the board, staff, and every student we serve, I want to personally thank DeRetta for her mentorship to me, but more importantly her heart, service, and outstanding contributions to 21CL.” 

A new executive slate was also appointed for 2025-2026. Serving as the new Vice Chair is Mari Sifo, CEO of Talent Management Consultants (TMC) and a two-time public company CHRO with more than 20 years of cross-functional experience spanning HR, sales, operations, and corporate governance. Sifo has served on the board of directors since 2022. Michael White, Director of Human Resources at Cox Communications, will serve as Secretary and Carla Chandler, CPA, Vice President Enterprise Financial Planning & Analytics at Geisinger, will serve as Treasurer.

21st Century Leaders is Georgia’s premier youth leadership and talent development organization for high school students. 21CL provides year-round programming by collaborating with over 50 corporate and community partners. 21CL leadership training includes residential summer leadership institutes, school-year training, school-based clubs, and an online learning platform.

About 21st Century Leaders

Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 20,000+ diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage and promote inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. 

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For media inquiries and image requests, please contact: 

Nicole Smith

Director of Programs & Communications

nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org

404.373.7441

21CL Appoints New Chair of its Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21st Century Leaders Appoints New Chair of its Board of Directors

(October 3, 2022) Atlanta, GA – 21st Century Leaders’ announces the appointment of DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D. as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Rhodes succeeds Matt Johnson, who has been serving as chair of the board since October 2019. The appointment was effective October 1, 2022 as the start of the organization’s fiscal year. Johnson’s commitment to 21st Century Leaders is longstanding, having been a board member since 2014 and a volunteer prior to that for nearly a decade. He will remain engaged in a leadership role with 21st Century Leaders (21CL) as a member of its Advisory Council.

Johnson said, “It has been an honor to serve as board chair and work with our incredible board and staff to equip young people with leadership skills and experiences that enable their success. I’m absolutely confident and delighted that the important work of 21st Century Leaders will continue with momentum and outsized impact with DeRetta’s leadership. Her long standing enthusiasm and commitment to develop the next generation of leaders is inspiring, and perfectly complements the mission of 21CL.”  

Dr. Rhodes currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Chief People Capital Officer for the Atlanta Braves. Dr. Rhodes, who oversees people capital initiatives for the organization’s Major League, Minor League and The Battery Atlanta operations, has left a lasting impact in her short time with the Braves.  She has transformed the people capital department, expanded the culture of the organization with training programs and employee resource groups and created an internal diversity, equity and inclusion council. She was also recognized as 100 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League. Dr. Rhodes lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Leon, and her three sons, Cole, Austin and Jordan.

“I have always been in awe of 21CL; the vision, the work and the impression we make on young leaders,” said Dr. Rhodes. “To have the opportunity to work alongside Kate Hewitt the 21CL’s Executive Director, the Board, staff and students is an honor.  I am committed to bringing my passion, energy and commitment alongside all that I have the opportunity to engage as the new Board Chair.”

 “As we look to the future and growth of our organization, we are excited to have DeRetta’s recognized leadership and passion for this work as we continue to accelerate our mission of impacting youth leaders across Georgia and beyond,” said 21CL’s Executive Director Kate Hewitt. “As our former board chair, Matt has been instrumental to our success the past three years, particularly as we navigated through the impacts and challenges of Covid-19, all while leading the organization to a million dollar budget for the first time in the organization’s history.  On behalf of the board, staff, and every student we serve, I want to personally thank Matt for his mentorship to me, but more importantly his heart, dedication and contributions to 21CL.” 

21st Century Leaders is a youth leadership and talent development organization for Georgia high school students. 21CL provides year-round programming by collaborating with over 50 corporate and community partners. 21CL leadership training includes residential summer leadership institutes, school-year training, school-based clubs, and an online learning platform.

About 21st Century Leaders

Since inception in 1989, 21st Century Leaders has served more than 16,000+ diverse high school students from over 250 Georgia high schools. 21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to leverage diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce. For more information about 21st Century Leaders, visit www.21stcenturyleaders.org. 

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For media inquiries and image requests, please contact: 

Nicole Meadows
Director of Programs & Communications
nicole@21stcenturyleaders.org
404.373.7441