SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Philharmonic, an innovative and influential arts organization dedicated to entertaining, inspiring and building community throughout the region, is pleased to announce William Atkinson, Barbara Lawson, and Colleen Stanton have joined the Board of Directors.
William Atkinson is President of Kessler Investments Savannah and Executive Committee Member of The Kessler Enterprise, Inc., Atkinson has served as Richard C. Kessler’s right-hand for the past seven years in development, operations and strategy. He currently leads real estate projects in Bryan County and Columbia S.C., and contributed to the award-winning Plant Riverside District. Prior to his work at the Kessler Collection, Atkinson worked for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division.
Barbara Lawson is a community leader, educator, and organizational builder whose work has centered on helping communities function thoughtfully and serve people well. Her background includes supplemental education programs within Title I school systems across New York City, graduate studies in Special Education, community ministry leadership, food pantry coordination, relationship stewardship, and long-term involvement in the educational, artistic, and spiritual life of Savannah.
Colleen Stanton is a retired nonprofit and human resources leader with a lifelong commitment to community, the arts, and youth development. Stanton has over a 17-year career in Human Resources, most recently as Director of Talent Acquisition at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA/Angell) in Boston. She has built teams, led executive searches, coached leaders, and championed mission-driven organizations. Stanton is the founder of No Strings Attached, a 501(c)(3) that donated acoustic guitars to children in Iraq, Afghanistan, Puerto Rico, and underserved U.S. communities, where she experienced firsthand what it takes to build an impactful organization from the ground up. She now proudly calls Savannah home, and is eager to contribute her experience, energy, and passion to organizations that enrich and uplift the Savannah community.
ABOUT THE SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC:
The Savannah Philharmonic, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is a community-focused arts organization which strives to present concert performances and music education of the highest caliber throughout the southeast. Composed of a professional orchestra and community chorus, and led by the masterful baton of Keitaro Harada, the SavPhil performs a vast range of works from composers of the past and present, and in all genres from classical to contemporary. The organization focuses on fostering community and inspiring a true appreciation of music through equitable access to performances and education programs. To learn more visit savannahphilharmonic.org.