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 serves as Executive Vice President of Finance at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she oversees the Foundation’s financial operations, including investments, reporting, and accounting. She ensures donor and nonprofit funds are managed responsibly and in alignment with their intended purpose, supporting organizations and programs across our community.

Lisa joined NGCF in December 2000 and brings prior experience managing financial operations for three small businesses in Gainesville. Her background in accounting and financial oversight provides a strong foundation for her leadership in financial stewardship.

She values being part of the meaningful work happening throughout North Georgia and finds it rewarding to support local nonprofits behind the scenes as they grow and thrive.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, attending sporting events, traveling, reading, watching movies, and playing pickleball. She is active in her church, where she coordinates monthly food distribution and an annual Christmas Market, and has served with the Rotary Club of Hall County, We Care, and the North Hall Baseball Booster Club.

Abigail Carter

Abi Carter serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the North Georgia Community Foundation. She plays a key role in organizational policies and procedures while overseeing the Foundation’s Scholarship Cycle, managing the Opportunity Grants program, and leading The Oak Society.

Abi joined NGCF in March 2019. Prior to her work in the nonprofit sector, she served as a legal secretary at Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker, supporting attorneys in family law and insurance defense. She later held a Vice President of Operations and Finance role, where she helped transition grant processes to an online platform and contributed to long-term community planning efforts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of North Georgia.

Abi is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for students and equipping nonprofits with seed funding to launch and grow impactful programs. Inspired by her father’s example of community service, she is committed to strengthening the community where she is raising her family.

Abi is a member of the PAC Team for Youth Leadership Hall through the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce as well as a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Hall Class of 2023, Abi enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on UGA Athletics.

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 Evans serves as Vice President of Communications at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she leads the Foundation’s marketing and communications efforts. She shares NGCF’s voice through stories of impact, programs, and partnerships, helping ensure the community clearly understands the heart behind the work.

Megan joined NGCF in May 2016. Prior to her role at the Foundation, she served as Vice President of Membership Events at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, bringing business and community leaders together through signature events and initiatives. Her professional background also includes early experience at Walt Disney World and a local law firm, where she developed a love for storytelling, connection, and community engagement. She holds a Women’s Executive MBA from Brenau University and was a member of the program’s inaugural cohort.

A lifelong member of the community, Megan is passionate about helping people give back to the place they love and sharing stories that inspire generosity. She has served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville and remains an active member. She has also been involved with WomenSource and Women Working Wonders through Hall-Dawson CASA. A graduate of the Leadership Hall Class of 2013 through the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, she was honored with the Chamber’s Silver Shovel Award in 2010.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, biking and being outdoors, mountain bike coaching, and finding reasons to laugh. She believes everyone has a story to share and a purpose to fulfill and is grateful to use her work at NGCF to strengthen and give back to the community that has shaped her and her family.

Marci Gross

Marci Gross serves as Director of Executive Operations at the North Georgia Community Foundation, where she partners with the President & CEO and supports the NGCF team to ensure effective, seamless operations that advance the Foundation’s mission across North Georgia.

She joined NGCF in January 2022 and brings experience in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and public relations. Her background includes roles with the American Cancer Society, the City of Lawrenceville, and Hall County Schools. Marci holds a degree in Communications from the University of West Georgia and an MBA in Marketing from Walden University.

Marci is passionate about philanthropy’s ability to connect people with the resources and support they need to thrive. She finds it especially rewarding to help build trust among donors, partners, and nonprofits, contributing to meaningful outcomes for the communities NGCF serves.

Outside of work, Marci enjoys spending time with her two daughters and serving in international missions with her church family. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the North Hall Community Education Foundation.

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.