Meet Our Team

Michelle Prater

Michelle R. Prater is the esteemed President and CEO of the North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF). Originally hailing from Ohio, Michelle has forged a path of remarkable accomplishments. She earned degrees in marketing and management from the University of North Georgia and an MBA in Leadership Development from Brenau University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership at the Lilly School of Philanthropy, Indiana University.

Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Michelle enjoyed a successful banking career. She held pivotal roles at LDI Inc., Map International, and United Way of Greater Atlanta. Since joining NGCF in 2015, Michelle has transformed the foundation by tripling its assets and establishing it as a premier nonprofit resource in North Georgia.

Michelle is an active community leader, serving on various boards, including as a Brenau University Trustee, Philanthropy Southeast Community Foundation Council Member, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier Board Member. Her past roles include serving on the UNG Mike Cottrell College of Business Advisory Council, as an Evaluation Panel Reviewer for MacKenzie Scott’s $250M Yield Giving Open Call, and on United Way Worldwide councils and Leadership Forsyth. Her contributions were recognized in 2021 when she received the Brenau University Community Service Award, and in 2024 she was highlighted in the national publication, Inside Philanthropy, for her exceptional philanthropic work and leadership.

Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle remains dedicated to mentorship and community impact. She started mentoring a young boy, Jay, when he was in first grade and stayed his mentor through his graduation in 2013. When Jay unexpectedly passed away in 2017, Michelle stepped in to provide support for his infant son and she remains actively involved in his care today.

Lisa Warwick

Lisa Warwick joined the NGCF staff in 2000 and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance. In this role she is responsible for the investment, budgeting and auditing processes of the Foundation as well as for managing the general ledger and distribution of the assets of the Foundation to grantees. Lisa came to the Foundation after working for several years managing the operations for several divisions of Wallace Sheet Metal. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from North Georgia College, now the University of North Georgia.

Lisa serves as the treasurer of We-Care and is on the Youth Council and Missions Committee at her home church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Clermont. Her church partners with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank for monthly distributions that Lisa coordinates. She also volunteers at Wauka Mountain Elementary School and for the North Hall High School baseball program (and can always be found on a ball field watching her son play ball).

Megan Evans

Megan is a Hall County native, having grown up in the southern part of the county. She was a member of the first graduating class of Flowery Branch High School before earning a degree in Marketing with a minor in Finance from Clemson University. She later obtained her MBA from Brenau University as part of the inaugural class of Brenau’s Executive Women’s MBA program. During her collegiate years, Megan gained valuable experience through an internship with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and by working at the Gainesville-based law firm Stewart, Melvin, & Frost LLP during academic breaks.

Megan joined the North Georgia Community Foundation in 2016, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as Vice President of Membership Development & Events at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. A committed community leader, she is a graduate of the Leadership Hall County Class of 2012 and actively contributes to various organizations. She serves as the immediate Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville and is involved in Women Working Wonders through Hall-Dawson CASA.

Passionate about philanthropy and community engagement, Megan believes that everyone has a story to share and a purpose to fulfill. Through her work at the North Georgia Community Foundation, she is dedicated to strengthening and giving back to the community that has profoundly shaped her and her family.

Margaux Dolenc

Margaux worked in banking for more than 17 years with BB&T and Regions Bank. During this time, she rose to assistant vice president and won many sales and top performance awards including the Sterling Performance Award. She previously attended Gwinnett Technical College and BB&T University for management and business development courses.

She is an active participant in her community and is currently a member of the South Hall Rotary Club. She formerly served on the board of the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and also volunteered with the community Light House Project.

Margaux is passionate about the community and impacting others through the work that she does. She enjoys working alongside nonprofits and NGCF fundholders through her role as Director of Grants & Community Partnerships with the North Georgia Community Foundation.

Abigail Carter

Abigail Carter is local to the Northeast Georgia region, having been born and raised in Jackson County and attending the University of North Georgia, where she earned a Bachelors in Business Administration.

While in college and afterwards, Abi worked at the law firm of Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard and Walker LLP in Gainesville before transitioning to the nonprofit sector where she was the Vice President of Operations and Finance at the United Way of Hall County. Abi’s role as Director of Strategic Initiatives has her working in all areas of operations at NGCF. She stays active in the community by being a part of the 2022-2023 Leadership Hall County class through the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Hall County Rotary Club as well as Women Working Wonders through Hall-Dawson CASA. In Spring of 2023, Abi was selected to be a participant in the ‘Bridging Difference Leadership Cohort’ hosted by the Council on Foundations in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center of UC Berkeley (GGSC).

She and her husband live in Hall County with their two young daughters. Abi’s experience in the nonprofit sector and deep roots in the community help her appreciate the NGCF mission to enhance the spirit of community and the quality of life in our region.

Brigette Meeler

Brigette was born and raised in Hall County and has always enjoyed staying active and involved in the community. She earned her associates degree in accounting and stayed in the finance field as she went on to spend over 34 years in the banking industry.

Brigette and her husband reside in Clermont where they raised their two, now adult, children. She enjoys being a part of Grove Level Baptist Church and volunteering in the community. Brigette also discovered she has a passion for living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same. She is certified in personal training and is currently working on her nutritional training certificate.

Brigette joined the NGCF team in fall of 2020 excited to apply her knowledge and skills in finance to her position at the foundation, while serving the community and nonprofit world.

Marci Gross

As the Director of Executive Operations, Marci serves as a force multiplier for the President & CEO while providing comprehensive support for all team members within the North Georgia Community Foundation.

With an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of West Georgia and an MBA in Marketing from Walden University, Marci is passionate about using her skills and education to create opportunities for positive change within her community. Serving others in this capacity, as a part of the NGCF team, allows for a greater impact to meet the needs of families throughout the North Georgia community.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2022, Marci’s professional roles included extensive work serving the public through non-profit programs with the American Cancer Society, marketing and public relations for the City of Lawrenceville Government, as well as Hall County Schools.

Residing in Clermont, Marci and her two teenage daughters remain active year round in their respective club and school sports, as well as their church family in the North Hall area.

Angel Jackson

Angel Jackson joined NGCF in June of 2022 as the Manger of Fundholder Experience. She has since taken on the Scholarship Manager Role. Angel was born and raised in Hall County and has worked and volunteered with nonprofits in her community for 10 years. She graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2014 with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as the Community Engagement Director for Rape Response.

She is a trained Darkness to Light (D2L) Facilitator and is also trained to facilitate OneLove Escalation. She volunteers her time facilitating both of these trainings. In her free time, she loves to crochet and spend time with her family. She also has a slumber party business called Teepee Dreamzzz where she creates themed teepee parties for children and adults.