OUR TEAM
MEET OUR C5 GEORGIA YOUTH FOUNDATION STAFF
JACKIE CANNIZZO
Executive Director
Jackie has been involved in fundraising as a volunteer for various non-profit organizations throughout her career as a PGA Golf Professional. Within the last 6 years, she expanded her role to lead non-profit organizations. From 2012 to 2017, she was the Executive Director of the JCI Foundation and its premier program, the Judson Women's Leadership Conference. In addition, Jackie ran the Judson Collegiate Golf Event, a sports and leadership initiative for college women.
She became the Executive Director of C5 Georgia Youth program in November 2017. She previously supported the Drive for Youth Classic Golf Event. Jackie brings her expertise in business, relationship building, event planning, brand strategy, sports marketing and fundraising to the C5 program.
Born in Syracuse, NY, she attended the University of North Carolina-Wilmington on a golf scholarship and received her degree in Communications. Her career has included competing at all levels of golf as well as coaching and teaching golf to students from beginners to professionals. Jackie has created successful programs for all golfers, especially women and kids. She specializes in developing golf events to support programs that benefit our communities.
Jackie is also the founder and President of the Esther Cannizzo Junior Golf Foundation and a board member of Purple Heart Homes Metro Atlanta.
JENNIFER HOLMAN
Communications and Development Director
Jennifer is recognized as an energetic and passionate sales leader and fundraiser and is committed to creating long-term strategic partnerships through effective relationship-building. She has a reputation for strong leadership, honesty and integrity with community leaders and social issues support around the Southeast. Jennifer’s past professional roles include 17 seasons in the Atlanta Braves front office, where she specialized in revenue generation, marketing, corporate partnerships, and the SunTrust Park development. She also has experience as a development director for liveSAFE Resources, which works with individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Jennifer was the founder of the very first women’s business resource group in Major League Baseball, which is now in its seventh year.
Jennifer was born and raised in Metro Atlanta and attended LaGrange College and University of West Georgia. She lives in West Midtown and enjoys world travel, live music, podcasting, and spending time with her husband Bobby and two kittens.
770-855-0310 cell
DESTANY ARNOLD
Leadership and Social Awareness Program Director
Destany Arnold is an Atlanta native and is passionate about leading by serving others. She recently worked as the Hammer Team Leader (Summer 2014) and also worked as Lantern Team Leader (Summer 2013) for C5. Destany possesses an extensive background in youth development and has worked for Girl Scouts of America and Hands On Atlanta (AmeriCorps) as a Team Leader for the Public Schools Program for under-served youth. She has been involved in volunteerism her entire life and served as Lead Volunteer for Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory. She also currently chairs the Youth, Media & PR departments at her church. Destany is ecstatic about C5 Georgia and its mission. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and going on adventures with her 6 nieces and nephews.
[email protected]
770-658-0086 cell
KELLY GRANT
Operations Director
A native of Georgia, Kelly grew up in Athens, Georgia. She has a degree in Recreation from the University of North Georgia and a degree in Secondary Education from Georgia State University.
Kelly has been involved in educational, recreational, and non-profit administration and leadership for the past 35 years. From her summer camp and state park work to her 11 years as a high school teacher to her project coordinating efforts for the JCI Foundation, a women’s leadership organization, Kelly brings hard work, innovative thinking, creativity, and strong leadership skills to her job as Operations Director for C5 Georgia. She is excited every day to be of service and help young people learn about and develop their own strengths and sense of self as the next generation of leaders.
[email protected]
404-313-2844 cell
VANESSA GRADY
Community Action Program Director
Vanessa is a biology teacher at Riverwood International Charter School and is in her 5th year of teaching. She attended Kennesaw State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She later attended Georgia State University where she received her Master of Education in Science Education. Currently she is working to pursue her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Science at Georgia State University. Her goal is to develop curriculum aligned with science for social justice. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated.
Before working for C5 Georgia, Vanessa served as the STEM Manager for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. She enjoyed returning to her home state and working with young women. Vanessa served as the Activities Team Leader at Camp Adahi for two summers (Summer 2017 and 2018) and recently took on the role of ACT Now! Program Director (Summer 2019). She believes strongly in C5's mission to empower students to conquer obstacles and reach their dreams.
