citybiz interview with Laura M. and Starsha V.
Laura Moody‘s experience at the intersection of purpose and people has placed her at the forefront of mission-focused communication strategies in Atlanta. Recently she has lead a multi-year community-centered civic initiative, Atlanta Legacy Makers: A Tribute to Mayors Allen & Jackson on behalf of City of Atlanta & CAP/ADID. Additionally, she managed a team that designed a series of community engagement programs for the Future Places Project of the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning, and is leading community engagement efforts for the Gwinnett Place Revitalization Study.
Laura launched her own creative consultancy, Peach State Collective (now known as Purpose Possible) in 2016 and has produced multi-faceted events, community programming, communications, and development strategies for a variety of nonprofit and for-profit businesses in the region including Atlanta Land Trust, United Way of Greater Atlanta, ArtsATL, Central Atlanta Progress, and many others.
Laura was named a Fellow of the Georgia Women’s Policy Institute for 2021-2022. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Center for Leadership Class of 2016 and served as a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Millennial Advisory Council. In 2017 she was named to the Class of Outstanding Atlanta. She lives in East Atlanta with her rescue pugs Emmy and Louie.
Starsha Valentine works with nonprofit organizations to optimize their fundraising systems and processes while leading robust fundraising plans for growth. Starsha has worked with a wide range of community-based organizations in Washington, D.C. ranging from local community-based organizations to larger national companies. She specializes in assisting Black and minority led grassroots organizations in strategic organizational design, program design, fundraising, and development strategy.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Howard University and a Masters’ degree in Management from the University of Maryland University College. Starsha brings a visionary perspective to small business and nonprofit fundraising that integrates stakeholder engagement with realistic goals and metrics for maximum organizational effectiveness.
She has worked with Physicians for Social Responsibility, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Dreaming Out Loud, Black Dirt Farm Collective, District Bridges, and North Capital Mainstreet, to name a few.
She lives with her partner in DC suburb, Silver Spring, Maryland. When she is not working, she loves adventures, food, and cooking. She also enjoys crocheting and knitting as a calming pass time.
Meghan Pietrantonio is a seasoned philanthropy professional with deep family and corporate foundation expertise and executive presence who is commendable at building and fostering relationships, and developing and executing strategic frameworks for meaningful community impact. Reputation as an organized and collaborative leader with a proven track record of exceeding expectations and a steadfast sense of purpose. Committed to lifelong learning, accountability, and inclusion.
