Lori Miller Appointed as New Executive Director for ESP Atlanta

MARIETTA, Ga., November 4, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Georgia-based nonprofit Extra Special People (esp) is excited to announce the appointment of Lori Miller as its new Executive Director for Atlanta services. Lori joins esp with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, human services, and youth development, bringing knowledge and compassion to the organization's mission of empowering children and young adults with disabilities and their families.

Lori's career is dedicated to building meaningful programs and support systems for vulnerable and underserved communities. Before joining esp Atlanta, she was Executive Director of the Truancy Intervention Project Georgia, developing strategic partnerships and cultivating resources to advance the organization's impact. Her previous roles include Chief Program Officer at the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, where she oversaw diverse programs and services. Lori also held leadership positions with The Salvation Army, where her work included child protection initiatives, youth programming, and community engagement across multiple states.

"Lori's depth of experience and heart for the community make her the ideal leader to help grow our mission for children and young adults with disabilities in Atlanta," said Laura Hope Whitaker, CEO of esp. "Lori’s compassion, matched with her leadership and experience, will contribute to the growing work we are doing, like clubs, camps and Java Joy. We are confident her innovative vision and genuine care for others will be invaluable to the Atlanta community."

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lori holds numerous certifications, including a Trauma Certification from Trauma Institute International and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of North Georgia. Her achievements include keynote speaking engagements, podcast hosting, and publishing insightful articles on mental health and family advocacy in outlets such as The War Cry Magazine and Grown and Flown.

"I am truly honored to join esp Atlanta and work alongside such a passionate team dedicated to empowering families in our community," said Lori Miller. "I look forward to building on the legacy of esp's mission and supporting our families as we foster joy, connection, and transformative experiences for individuals with disabilities."

Lori's appointment marks a new chapter for esp Atlanta as the organization continues to grow its services in the metro area. She brings both strategic vision and an unwavering commitment to the community. Her role will focus on expanding the organization's programs, building stronger community partnerships, and leading initiatives to enhance support for esp families and programs.

Media Contact: Kim Miller, [email protected]

About esp

esp was founded in 1986 when Martha Wyllie, esp’s founder, noticed an unequal number of opportunities for children with disabilities and began the first one-week summer camp for 21 participants. Programs began taking place in community gathering spaces until they could open their own gym five years later in Watkinsville, Georgia. For two decades, esp conducted their programs there with the number of participants growing every year. When Wyllie passed away in 2004, she left behind a growing legacy; and Laura Hope Whitaker, now CEO, stepped into the role of executive director at age 19. esp identified the need for family support and year-round programming and created the esp 360 program. Through Java Joy, esp expanded into Atlanta and Rome, Georgia in 2020. Now, esp provides all three of its programs in Rome: Java Joy, 360 Programming and Hooray Camp. esp’s board and leadership team have developed a 10-year strategic plan that envisions esp being a nationally recognized leader in transforming communities in multiple states through programs for people with all abilities.

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Source: Extra Special People, Inc.