Executive Forum
This quarterly program facilitates an open dialogue between community leaders and those who make a difference in our state and region. Speakers come with expertise in a variety of areas including economic development, technology, business innovation, politics, and other areas of interest to the members. Each forum consists of a beer and wine networking hour, meal, and presentation, and the forums typically take place on Monday evenings.
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2026 Speakers
February 2: for the love of community: a conversation on economic development with rebekah snider, executive director of visit milledgeville
Join us for a conversation about economic development in Southeastern Georgia! More information to follow. Secure your tickets here.
Previous Presentations from 2025:
"From Blight to Bright: A Blueprint for Community Rejuvenation in Central Georgia"
Mike Ciabattoni, Managing Partner, CW Holdings LLC
CW Development Holdings was co-founded by Mike Ciabattoni to pursue the acquisition & development of a 22.5-acre parcel in downtown Macon, Georgia. Mike moved to Macon as his wife was attending a medical residency program at Mercer University, and instantly saw the potential of a city that was experiencing a revival. Recognizing a need for wholesome family entertainment, the low-cost basis and upward trend of downtown provided the motivation to acquire the property and begin phase 1 of this project; The Yard. Mike has spent thirteen years as a commercial pilot, and four years as an investment advisor for a NY based firm. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from West Chester University.
"High-Trust, High-Impact Leadership: Strategies that Work Under Any Pressure" with Kristina Turner, Deputy State Auditor, Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts
Kristina Turner is the first woman to be appointed to the role of Deputy State Auditor in the State of Georgia, and was appointed in 2019. In this role, she initially managed the financial work performed by the Department at both the State and Local levels. In 2022, her focused changed to fostering a culture that values individuals, public service, and innovation at a department level. Over her 25 years at DOAA, Kristina has contributed to numerous areas of the department’s mission. Her work has included: technology integration into financial audits and leading data analysis efforts as well as spearheading development and research initiatives.
Kristina is a GCSU Alumna, with her Bachelor's degree in Accounting, and Master's degree in Management Information Systems. She holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
"Small Business Marketing Masterclass: Scalable Frameworks to Tailor to Your Business" with Lou Childs, Nick Goebel, and Lauren Goebel, Moderated by Dr. Mary Rickard
This fireside-style chat involves a conversation about how to level up your small business. Lou Childs is the co-founder of SlumberPod and brings more than 25 years of marketing, communications, and operations experience spanning financial services software firms and Fortune 500 companies. She and her daughter launched SlumberPod, a baby products company dedicated to helping families get better sleep, and appeared on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank in 2020, securing an on-air deal with Barbara Corcoran. Under their leadership, the company grew to $10M in revenue within three years and was acquired by Artica, Inc. in April 2022. Nick Goebel is the Technical Director at Goebel Media. With over 20 years of experience, he brings deep expertise in digital marketing, web development, and leading complex technical projects. His background as a developer gives him a unique edge in understanding the full digital ecosystem—from backend infrastructure to frontend experience and performance. Lauren Goebel is the Creative Director at Goebel Media. With more than 20 years of experience in design, branding, and frontend applications, she blends strategic thinking with strong visual direction to lead creative projects that drive results. Her work spans everything from brand identity and storytelling to campaign design and digital marketing. Dr. Mary Rickard is Associate Professor of Marketing with the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology. Dr. Rickard teaches Professional Selling, Sales Management, and Principles of Marketing. As faculty advisor and coach for the sales team, she has led students to national competitions, building essential skills and industry connections.