Our Board of Directors

Dianne Anderson Valentin (President) is a consultant to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, working in national, regional, and community nonprofit organizations on the grassroots and executive levels, providing strategic advice, technical assistance, program development, community outreach and community organizing. She also works with local, state, and federal governmental agencies on issues that affect local and regional communities. As a political scientist with training in international affairs and national defense, Dianne has used her expertise to advocate grassroots and progressive issues on Capitol Hill. In addition to her consultancy and community service endeavors, Dianne is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Black Heritage Museum & Cultural Center, Inc. located in North Carolina.

Catherine Smith (Vice-President) is an Atlanta activist and co-owner of a small distribution company.  She is the Founding Director of Georgia for Democracy, a member of the Young Democrats of Georgia Advisory Board, an at large post-seat holder for the Fulton County Democrats, and a State Committee Member of the Democratic Party of Georgia.  In addition to organizational participation, Catherine is also the co-publisher of Blog for Democracy, a Georgia blog dedicated to progressive politics and activism.

Betsy Rivard (Treasurer) has been on the WAND Georgia Board for several years.  She also represents Georgia WAND on the National WAND Education Fund Board.  Currently Betsy directs the United Nations Association - Atlanta Chapter, and serves on the Boards of the Chattooga Conservancy , the Georgians for Gun Safety , and Nuclear Watch South.

Flo Dawson (Corresponding Secretary) currently spends her time both caring for her grandchildren and parents, as well as patient counseling in the Piedmont Hospital cardiac rehab program. She has been involved with RESULTS, a lobby group for women and children and YES! ATLANTA, a mentoring program for inner city youth. Flo is currently a coordinator for Georgia WAND’s Mother’s Day for Peace event as well as a volunteer for the Georgia Democrats.

Cee Cee Anderson joined the board in 2008. She is a former registered nurse and Special Education teacher as well as consultant and women and children's advocate. She also serves as a board member to several organizations including: Fast Parole Juvenile Justice and CASA. She serves on the Steering Committee of the Coalition for the People's Agenda, as a Chairwoman on WIN (Women in NAACP), and as the CEO of Women Changing the World, One Woman, One Child at a Time.

Shemariah Butts is a marketing communications professional born, raised and educated in Georgia. During her time at UGA, Shemariah served as the campus Vice President of the NAACP and following graduation, she worked closely with local and statewide legislators with the League of Women Voters of Georgia (LWVGA). Her responsibilities included extensive research, event planning, composing media materials, and managing all social media accounts. Shemariah was also privileged to serve as the LWVGA legislative monitor, during the 2010 Georgia General Assembly session. Shemariah’s other organizational affiliations include the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, The WhiteHouse Project, New Leaders Council of America, LWVDK and Junior League of Atlanta.

Carlissa Carson is an attorney in the Business Liability Practice Group at Freeman Mathis & Gary.  She is also a Judge Advocate (Captain) in the U.S. Air Force.  Prior to joining the Air National Guard, Carlissa completed the Army ROTC program at the Georgia Institute of Technology and served four years as an Intelligence Officer and two years as a Judge Advocate in the Army Reserve.  In addition, she is a member of the Atlanta New Leaders Council, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Apex Society.  Currently, she also serves as Regional Political Director of the Truman National Security Project (Atlanta team).  Carlissa received a B.A. from Oglethorpe University where she majored in Political Science and minored in French. She received a J.D. from Emory University School of Law where she wrote for the Law Review and participated in the International Humanitarian Law Clinic.  She subsequently received an LL.M, with distinction, and a Certificate in International Human Rights Law from Georgetown Law.  Her most recent accomplishments include being selected as one of Atlanta's Power 30 Under 30, and publication of a second law review article.

Helen Fredrick is the Director of Plymouth Harbor, a day program for older adults. She is a member of the Georgia Gerontology Society and Central Congregational United Church of Christ. Helen, a licensed clinical social worker, serves as Georgia WAND’s Program Committee Co-Chair.

Susie Goodman  has varied nonprofit experience. With the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, she managed the statewide training program in nonprofit management, leadership, grant writing, fundraising, organizational development, financial development, etc. At Emory University she managed the computing training program for staff, faculty and students in desktop applications; proprietary software; web development; databases, etc.  She is a member of Alinerchaleta-frames, a national camping organization, and a member of Arkadaslar.org, a group for returned Peace Corps volunteers in Turkey. She has been a director and officer on boards for nonprofit organizations including, Clergy and Laity Concerned; St. Paul Golden Age Center; and Central Child Development Center; and is elder at Central Presbyterian Church, Global Missions Committee.

Kim Karris is currently the Project Coordinator for HelpAge USA, an international non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of older people in developing countries and builds awareness of global aging issues. She has lived in Central America, while working directly with indigenous communities affected by climate change, food insecurity and environmental injustice. She is a passionate earth and social justice activist and former Program Coordinator of Georgia WAND.

Carol J Tveit is a community activist who has served on the boards of Dekalb County League of Women Voters, Georgians for Gun Safety, the Academy Theater and the NDPC After School Program. Carol has also been an active member of the Peace and Justice Committee of her church, North Decatur Presbyterian. Carol has served as an elder at NDPC, and a volunteer at the Dekalb County Rape Crisis Center. She is especially interested in issues relating to women and children. Carol is an actress who is an activist/advocate for the arts.

Pat Walsh, former Director of the mentoring program, Families First, was awarded the 2000 Chrohns and Colitis Foundation Woman of Distinction. For 20 years, she coordinated the Capitol Area Mosaic's Best Girls' Club and Mentoring and Volunteer Programs.  She is on the Advisory Board of Common Cause Georgia and is the Chair of Georgia WAND’s May Signature Event, Mother’s Day for Peace.

Georgia WAND Advisory Board

Bobbie Wrenn Banks

Krista Brewer

Lucinda Bunnen

Honorable Bettieanne Hart, Esq.

Rev. Barbara King, PhD

Berta R. Laney

Kent Leslie, PhD

Evelyn G. Lowery

Senator Nan Grogan Orrock

Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls