Meet Our Team

Michelle Prater

Michelle R. Prater is the esteemed President and CEO of the North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF). Originally hailing from Ohio, Michelle has forged a path of remarkable accomplishments. She earned degrees in marketing and management from the University of North Georgia and an MBA in Leadership Development from Brenau University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership at the Lilly School of Philanthropy, Indiana University.

Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Michelle enjoyed a successful banking career. She held pivotal roles at LDI Inc., Map International, and United Way of Greater Atlanta. Since joining NGCF in 2015, Michelle has transformed the foundation by tripling its assets and establishing it as a premier nonprofit resource in North Georgia.

Michelle is an active community leader, serving on various boards, including as a Brenau University Trustee, Philanthropy Southeast Community Foundation Council Member, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier Board Member. Her past roles include serving on the UNG Mike Cottrell College of Business Advisory Council, as an Evaluation Panel Reviewer for MacKenzie Scott’s $250M Yield Giving Open Call, and on United Way Worldwide councils and Leadership Forsyth. Her contributions were recognized in 2021 when she received the Brenau University Community Service Award, and in 2024 she was highlighted in the national publication, Inside Philanthropy, for her exceptional philanthropic work and leadership.

Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle remains dedicated to mentorship and community impact. She started mentoring a young boy, Jay, when he was in first grade and stayed his mentor through his graduation in 2013. When Jay unexpectedly passed away in 2017, Michelle stepped in to provide support for his infant son and she remains actively involved in his care today.

Lisa Warwick

Lisa Warwick joined the NGCF staff in 2000 and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Finance. In this role she is responsible for the investment, budgeting and auditing processes of the Foundation as well as for managing the general ledger and distribution of the assets of the Foundation to grantees. Lisa came to the Foundation after working for several years managing the operations for several divisions of Wallace Sheet Metal. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from North Georgia College, now the University of North Georgia.

Lisa serves as the treasurer of We-Care and is on the Youth Council and Missions Committee at her home church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Clermont. Her church partners with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank for monthly distributions that Lisa coordinates.

Abigail Carter

Abigail Carter is local to the Northeast Georgia region, having been born and raised in Jackson County and attending the University of North Georgia, where she earned a Bachelors in Business Administration.

While in college and afterwards, Abi worked at the law firm of Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard and Walker LLP in Gainesville before transitioning to the nonprofit sector where she was the Vice President of Operations and Finance at the United Way of Hall County. Abi’s role as Director of Strategic Initiatives has her working in all areas of operations at NGCF. She stays active in the community by being a part of the 2022-2023 Leadership Hall County class through the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Hall County Rotary Club as well as Women Working Wonders through Hall-Dawson CASA. In Spring of 2023, Abi was selected to be a participant in the ‘Bridging Difference Leadership Cohort’ hosted by the Council on Foundations in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center of UC Berkeley (GGSC).

She and her husband live in Hall County with their two young daughters. Abi’s experience in the nonprofit sector and deep roots in the community help her appreciate the NGCF mission to enhance the spirit of community and the quality of life in our region.

Margaux Dolenc

Margaux worked in banking for more than 17 years with BB&T and Regions Bank. During this time, she rose to assistant vice president and won many sales and top performance awards including the Sterling Performance Award. She previously attended Gwinnett Technical College and BB&T University for management and business development courses.

She is an active participant in her community and is currently a member of the South Hall Rotary Club. She formerly served on the board of the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and also volunteered with the community Light House Project.

Margaux is passionate about the community and impacting others through the work that she does. She enjoys working alongside nonprofits and NGCF fundholders through her role as Director of Grants & Community Partnerships with the North Georgia Community Foundation.

Megan Evans

Megan is a Hall County native, having grown up in the southern part of the county. She was a member of the first graduating class of Flowery Branch High School before earning a degree in Marketing with a minor in Finance from Clemson University. She later obtained her MBA from Brenau University as part of the inaugural class of Brenau’s Executive Women’s MBA program. During her collegiate years, Megan gained valuable experience through an internship with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and by working at the Gainesville-based law firm Stewart, Melvin, & Frost LLP during academic breaks.

Megan joined the North Georgia Community Foundation in 2016, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as Vice President of Membership Development & Events at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. A committed community leader, she is a graduate of the Leadership Hall County Class of 2012 and actively contributes to various organizations. She serves as the immediate Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville and is involved in Women Working Wonders through Hall-Dawson CASA. Megan has continued to seek opportunities to grow her leadership and impact. She completed NGCF’s Emerging Leaders (formally known as GROWing Leaders) program in 2022 and is currently part of CFLeads ELI for VP’s 2025 cohort.

Passionate about philanthropy and community engagement, Megan believes that everyone has a story to share and a purpose to fulfill. Through her work at the North Georgia Community Foundation, she is dedicated to strengthening and giving back to the community that has profoundly shaped her and her family.

Marci Gross

As the Director of Executive Operations at the North Georgia Community Foundation, Marci serves as a strategic partner to the President & CEO and a resource for the entire NGCF team. In this role, she helps maximize organizational impact and ensures seamless operations that support the Foundation’s mission of serving families and communities across North Georgia.

Marci holds a degree in Communications from the University of West Georgia and an MBA in Marketing from Walden University. With a strong background in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and public relations, she brings both expertise and passion to her work. Her previous experience includes roles with the American Cancer Society, the City of Lawrenceville, and Hall County Schools, where she built a career dedicated to service and community engagement.

Residing in Clermont with her two daughters, they are involved in a variety of school and club activities, as well as their church family in the North Hall area.

Chelsea Clark

Chelsea Clark serves as the Manager of Program Operations at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she oversees a variety of programs and grant processes that support nonprofits across North Georgia. Her work helps equip nonprofit organizations with the resources they need to have a meaningful and lasting impact in the community.

Chelsea began her nonprofit career in 2014 at Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, where she was part of a successful resource development team supporting program expansion through fundraising and capital campaigns. She specialized in grant writing, special events, marketing, and communications. In 2023, she transitioned to a grant administrator role with Forsyth County Government, where she managed state and federal grant applications on behalf of the County. She joined NGCF in May 2025.

Chelsea is a North Hall High School graduate and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia, a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, and the Grant Professional Credential.

She is especially passionate about how NGCF supports nonprofits through education and grant programs, noting the transformational impact of the Foundation’s work. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family and staying active.

Angel Jackson

Angel Jackson serves as the Scholarship Manager at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she manages  NGCF’s scholarship program. She serves as the point of contact for fundholders, students, and school partners, focusing on outreach, application coordination, and helping students successfully navigate the scholarship process.

Angel supports NGCF’s mission by helping fundholders create meaningful scholarship opportunities while ensuring students have the guidance and resources needed to apply. Her work helps remove financial barriers to education and strengthens the connection between philanthropy and community impact.

Prior to joining NGCF in June 2022, Angel worked in nonprofit outreach and advocacy, most recently as Community Engagement Director and previously as a College Campus Advocate at Bridging Hope (formally known as Rape Response). She also brings experience from the private sector, having worked as a Financial Advisor at an orthodontic practice, where she developed strong communication and organizational skills. Angel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Angel is especially passionate about NGCF’s scholarship work and the opportunity to support students while honoring fundholder intent. Outside of work, she enjoys crocheting, adding to her snow globe collection, caring for her growing collection of plants, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Bernard, are proud dog parents to Peanut and Jelly.

Brigette A. Meeler

Brigette A. Meeler serves as the Manager of Financial Operations at the North Georgia Community Foundation. Her responsibilities include processing and recording donations, issuing gift acknowledgements, and managing the entry and payment of all expenses and grants. She plays a key role in ensuring the Foundation’s financial resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with fundholder intent.

Brigette brings more than 34 years of experience in the banking industry, with extensive expertise in financial operations, fiduciary services, and financial stewardship. She joined NGCF in September 2020 and applies her deep financial knowledge to help safeguard and efficiently distribute funds, enabling lasting impact for nonprofits and communities.

She holds an associate degree in Accounting and multiple professional certifications, including Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Exercise Therapy Certification, and Elite Trainer.

Brigette is drawn to philanthropy for the opportunity to use her financial expertise in a way that creates meaningful, lasting impact. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren, staying active, attending Grove Level Baptist Church, and volunteering with special needs students at Timothy Road Elementary.

Griselda Villalobos

Griselda Villalobos serves as the Fundholder Services Administrator at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she supports the team and new fundholders throughout the fund-opening process. Her role helps advance NGCF’s mission by ensuring individuals and families can establish charitable funds that create lasting impact through community investment.

Griselda’s professional background includes experience with the Gainesville Housing Authority and the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, where she developed a strong passion for nonprofit service and community connection. She is drawn to philanthropy for its ability to strengthen communities and support organizations that truly make a difference.

She earned her degree from Brenau University in December 2024 and has been serving on Center Point’s board since 2023. Griselda enjoys spending time with her family, watching a good show with her husband, and creating meaningful memories together.