2nd Annual 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta m to t

necole merritt – communicating the spirit of charity

Executive Director of Corporate Communications, AT&T

As
director of AT&T’s corporate communications, Necole Merritt is
charged with managing the mega-organization’s brand reputation through
its diverse philanthropic endeavors. She lives her personal life by
prinicples similar to those of her employer. Merritt understands that
it’s not how many rungs on the corporate ladder you ascend, rather the
number of lives you touch in positive ways. “I like to look at life as
a quilt. Your different experiences piece it together,” explains
Merritt.

The recent death of a close friend caused her to do some soul
searching and ultimately re-evaluate what is truly important. “When I’m
gone, no one’s going to care that I worked for AT&T. All that
matters is the kind of person I was and the contributions I made,”
asserts Merritt.
–adam jones

karan rhodes – worldwide woman

Director of High Potential Development Program, Microsoft

As Microsoft’s director of high potential development program, Karan
Rhodes helps identify the company’s top 3 percent of employees around
the world for key leadership positions and global development
strategies.

“One of the things that I really enjoy is leveraging this role and
being able to go to so many different countries, and really
understanding different countries’ and cultures’ passions,” explains
Rhodes. “It has been eye-opening for me to get a better appreciation
for other individuals around the world. … We’re more alike than
different.”

Rhodes credits her success with having a strong foundation of family and faith.

“If you have a high level of integrity, it lays the foundation for
great, positive relationships, no matter what you do in life,” explains
Rhodes.

–adam jones

sheri riley – bonded to her clients

Founder and Owner, Glue, Inc.

When Sheri Riley launched her entertainment consulting firm — Glue,
Inc. — 10 years ago, she possessed two key components critical to
building a successful venture: faith and a strong will. Now the savvy
entrepreneur’s client roster includes the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta
Thrashers, Elite Model Management, The Ludacris Foundation and
T-Mobile.

“I tell people all the time [that] if you want to get to know
Jesus, start your own business. It’s all about prayer, peace and
accepting what I can do. Balance and time management [are] key,” says
Riley. “My motto with my clients is ‘I will always give you 150
percent, never 24 hours.’ I strive for excellence and the highest level
of integrity [in every endeavor].”
–adrienne gadling

carrie salvary – home is where the heart is

Executive Director, Tyler Place CDC

Since 1993, South Carolina native Carrie Salvary has called Vine City
home. Through the efforts of Salvary and her fellow residents at the
Tyler Place Community Development Center, 25 new homes have been
constructed in the historic westside Atlanta neighborhood.

“We organized as a homeowners association but realized that [in]
looking [at the] community, we needed to help in some other ways,” she
says of starting Tyler Place CDC. “So, we sought to involve ourselves
in community planning and development and other activities.”

Salvary and her staff are committed to spurring the rebuilding
of Vine City. “What I want to see in Vine City is the realization of my
work,” she says. “I want to see the people of Vine City in a more
prosperous position.”

–gavin p. godfrey

alvetta peterman thomas – visionary leader

Acting President, Atlanta Technical College

Once Alvetta Peterman Thomas decided what she wanted to do with her
life, she didn’t waste any time in going after her goals. She received
her undergraduate degree at Alabama State University, a master’s degree
in political science at Clark Atlanta University and a doctorate in
education at the University of Georgia. Thomas is currently the acting
president of Atlanta Technical College (ATC).

“My educational experience helped shape me for what I face in
leadership in the technical college system, as well as what our
students face,” says Thomas. “I have been grooming for a presidential
position for a long time. I was vice president of academic affairs. I
always saw myself as a vice president but not as a president. But once
I came to ATC, I embraced that vision.”
–adrienne gadling