Meet the Children First Board

Molly Petner
Board Chair 

Molly is originally from Connecticut. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2017 and currently lives in Athens, GA. Molly graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia in May of 2020. She currently works as the social worker for Children's Medical Services and as a child/adult therapist for the Divorce Resource Center of Georgia. In addition to serving on the Child First Board, Molly volunteers her time with the Athens Queer Collective. In her spare time, you can find Molly swing dancing, cooking, reading, hiking, or working on puzzles

---

---

Charlie Carabello
Previous Board Chair​, Secretary/Governance Committee Chair
Charlie grew up near Reading, PA. He attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA where he met his wife Joanna. After college they both worked for a short while in journalism in Danville, VA before Joanna took a job with the Athens Banner Herald. In 2001, Charlie began his current career in undergraduate admissions at the University of Georgia. He has remained in that office, having had several roles prior to his current position as an Associate Director of Admissions where he oversees much of the historical and projected data reporting. During his time at UGA, Charlie obtained his Masters of Education in Educational Administration and Policy.  Joanna now works in Grant Development for Goodwill Industries of Northeast Georgia and the couple have two children (Adam 17, Vivian 14) who attend Clarke County schools.  Charlie is a passionate cyclist and can be found most days pedaling around the local area.​

---

Jed Dews
Treasurer
​
As a part of the team at Voices for Georgia’s Children, Jed is part of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network division and oversees the BOOST grants initiative, managing the American Rescue Plan investments in Georgia’s afterschool and summer learning programs. In collaboration with his colleagues and Voices’ statewide partners, Jed provides oversight of these critical federal funds and supports grantees in their efforts to expand access to services, reduce barriers to success, and increase programmatic quality. Jed holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Alabama in education with a focus on policy and youth advocacy. He also holds graduate certifications in project management (University of Texas) and social work (University of South Carolina Upstate). When not working, Jed’s favorite things include being an uncle, dueling pianos, ATV parks, deer stands, and lake life.
​

---

David Meyers
Board Chair Elect​
David Meyers is married to Dawn Meyers and they have three children, Zach (22), Aaron (20) and Lily (17).  David and Dawn met while they were each pursuing a BSW degree at James Madison University and have been married for 26 years.  David went on to receive an MSW from UGA and now David works at the JW Fanning Institute for Leadership Development where he serves as Public Service Faculty; his projects focus on youth leadership development and he has developed a number of programs that focus on young people who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness.  David likes running (he has run in every AthHalf!), woodturning, crossword puzzles, working on the house or watching the Braves and Bulldogs.​

---

Rachael Andrews
Member at Large

Rachael is a recent MPA graduate from UGA< where she also earned her Bachelors in International Affairs. She currently works as a Policy Planner and Development Specialist with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, managing and writing grants for state criminal justice agencies and local law enforcement offices. After graduating, Rachael decided to stay in Athens and dedicate some of her free time to helping the local community, leading her to work with Children First, Inc. She has marketing experience working with the university, as well as serving as an AmeriCorps with the Chatham County 4-H. When she is not working or volunteering, Rachael hosts weekly movie nights with her friends and hangs out with her cat, Giles.

---

Kimberly Locklin
External Committee Chair

Kimberly Locklin is a lifelong resident of Athens-Clarke County and an alumna of Clarke Central High School and University of North Georgia.  She serves as the CFO of On My Watch, Inc. where they provide in-home services and resources for the elderly and disabled to prevent premature admission to nursing facilities.  Kimberly recently completed the LEAD Athens program as a member of the 2019 class.  She serves Summer Hill Baptist Church and volunteers with the Feed My Sheep, Ltd Resource Center.  Kimberly enjoys creating art with various media, reading, and attending concerts and music festivals.

---

Alan Platt
Member At Large
​
Stay tuned to learn about our Member at Large, Alan Platt! 

---

Matthew Welker
Member At Large
​
Matt is a Captain in the US Army and an MBA candidate at the University of Georgia. Matt has spent the last eight years on active duty as aviation officer. He has held multiple leadership and staff positions, most recently as the Senior Aviation Logistics Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Matt is a UH-60 pilot and holds a BA in Middle East Studies/Arabic from Brigham Young University. He and his wife reside in Bogart with their four kids.

---

Elizabeth Earl
Member At Large

Elizabeth Earl joined First American Bank & Trust Company’s Trust and Investment Department in March of 2022. Previously, she served as Director of Development for United Way of Northeast Georgia. Elizabeth has over a decade of previous banking experience, and has spent many years volunteering and working in the non-profit sector. She received her J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law and lives in Athens with her husband and son. She is an avid reader, enjoys kayaking, and can be found most often spending time with her family and friends.​
​

---

Jake Foote
Member At Large
Jake is a graduate of Texas Christian University and Syracuse University and a current MBA student at the University of Georgia. He worked as a producer at Cox Media Group and The E.W. Scripps Company before deciding to move to Athens and pursue his MBA. Since moving to Athens, he has made it a point to try and get involved, volunteering with Books for Keeps and joining the board of Children First. He also has a little brother Jordan through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta who he’s been matched with for five years.  Jake enjoys reading, playing basketball and talking about movies in his free time

---

​

Katie Bemisderfer

Katie and her husband, Tim, have lived in the Athens area for 33 years where they raised
2 children, Peter (38) and Kari (34). Katie has a BBA in Marketing and a
Masters in Therapeutic Recreation. Her employment at The University of
Georgia included: Operations Manager of the Independent Study Program,
Project Manager of a federal grant for young adults with disabilities, teaching
in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and as an Advisor in the
Honors Program. In the Athens area, she has volunteered with adults and children
who have special needs and programs for senior citizens. She was a CASA volunteer at
Children First, Inc. for 10 years. Now retired, Katie enjoys gardening, walking with friends,
​ traveling, reading, and spending time with her dogs, family, and especially, her grandchildren.

---