Rob Brawner is the Executive Director for the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership. Leveraging the Partnership’s staff and consultants, and working closely with the Board of Directors and other stakeholders, Rob leads the Partnership in its broad-based, collaborative focus on ensuring the promise of stronger communities and equitable, sustainable benefit to the 45 Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods and beyond. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of the Partnership’s strategic plan, as well as capital and operational fundraising – and stewardship of the private and philanthropic funds that support of the construction of the project.

Prior to joining the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Rob built his operations and management expertise during an eight year career at McMaster-Carr, which included roles as Director of Sales and Marketing and Director of Physical Distribution. He graduated with honors from Princeton University in 1996 with a degree in Economics and two NCAA National Championships in lacrosse. He received his MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in 2006.

Rob has been actively engaged with many local non-profit organizations since moving to Atlanta in 1996. He enjoys living, working, exercising, and playing on the Atlanta BeltLine.

Michael Davis is the Deputy Executive Director for the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership. His responsibilities include providing strategic, operational, and financial leadership over the Partnership’s people, programs, and investments to ensure the organization delivers on its mission and stewards the private and philanthropic funds supporting the construction of the BeltLine. Michael works closely with the Partnership’s Executive Director, board, staff, and consultants and acts as a primary liaison with Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

Before joining the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Michael’s professional experiences included conducting economic development capital campaigns at Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, leading a regional economic development public-private partnership at Connect South Fulton, leading international matrix teams, managing a corporate P&L, and implementing process improvement initiatives at Hewlett Packard, forming two 501c(3) nonprofit organizations, and owning and operating several small businesses.

Michael graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA degree in Management Information Systems. He received his Executive MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in 2009 and received the Al Bows Outstanding Executive MBA achievement award. Michael has been a long-time advocate and supporter of the BeltLine and served on the Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee (TADAC). He enjoys exercise, landscaping, podcasts, writing, and spending time on the BeltLine.

Vernessa Roberts serves as the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Director of Marketing and Communications. She is responsible for telling the Partnership’s story. Vernessa develops and manages the strategy, design and execution of communications that articulate the mission, vision and accomplishments of the Atlanta BeltLine across multiple channels.

Vernessa brings more than 20 years of strategic marketing experience with a background that includes advertising, branding, social media management and public relations. Prior to joining the Partnership, Vernessa led communications for the Raleigh Chamber for more than a decade as the vice president of Communications. She partnered with business and community leaders to accomplish the mission of economic prosperity and quality of life, as well as led the creative execution of communications that supported business development.

Vernessa also volunteered with the Triangle AdFed as the chair of their diversity and inclusion initiative and was a founding member of What We Do, You Can Too! The WWDYCT initiative introduced high school students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to the advertising and marketing industry through a summer internship program.

As Director of Corporate Partnerships and Individual Giving, Nicole Love’s focus is cultivating and engaging corporate partners and individual donors to raise funds needed to execute the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s missions. Her responsibilities include managing the annual Connectors Circle sponsorship program, implementing individual giving campaigns; maintaining the BeltLine shop; and working cross-functionally with Atlanta BeltLine Inc. on specific programs and event funding. 

A graduate of Stephen’s College and new to the non-profit sector, Nicole brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, business development, product development, and creative design.

Originally from Colorado, Nicole moved to Atlanta after an exciting career in New York City. She became enamored with the Atlanta BeltLine while marketing new construction projects along the Eastside BeltLine Trail. She soon became an ABP volunteer, moved to O4W to be closer to the BeltLine trail, and then received the opportunity to join the ABP team. You will find Nicole walking to Inman Park to grab a bite, relaxing on a BeltLine patio, or biking from the eastside to the westside.

Jean-Luc Rivera is the Volunteer Manager at Atlanta BeltLine Partnership. He is responsible for managing the Partnership’s volunteer opportunities and strategies. Before joining the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, he worked in the political and nonprofit sectors, where he was able to hone his community engagement skills and develop connections in the Atlanta community.

Jean-Luc is a native of North Carolina and a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his free time, you can catch him running on the BeltLine, playing fetch with his two Goldendoodles, or relaxing at a local coffee shop.

John Becker is the Partnership’s Engagement and Communications Coordinator. In this capacity, John manages ABP’s bike tour and run club programs, and assists in managing the volunteer/surrogate speaker program and the volunteer and event support programs. John also assists the Director of Marketing and Communications with the production of social media and website content and handles event and outreach photography for the Partnership.

John came to Atlanta in 1981 after graduating from Auburn University and has lived here ever since. He became fascinated with the Atlanta BeltLine project during the construction of the Eastside Trail, documenting that construction and early Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibitions while in charge of communications for the Virginia-Highland Civic Association. In his spare time, John enjoys cycling and digital photography, and he’s a passionate fan of his beloved Auburn Tigers. John lives in a condo on the Eastside Trail in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood.

Marian Davis is a program associate for the Engage and Empower programs at the Atlanta Beltline Partnership. She provides support to each program and assists with grassroots community outreach developments to further the Partnership’s mission. 

An Atlanta native, Marian is passionate about her community. She graduated from Clemson University and is pursuing a master’s degree at Georgia State University. She is the author, illustrator, and publisher of Chicken and Pickle. This entertaining children’s book series was created to support emotional intelligence and nutrition education as foundational resources for families. 

Marian loves to roller skate, travel, and enjoy the BeltLine with family. Her goals align with the desire to connect Atlanta residents with equity, opportunity, and healthier living.

Emani Watson serves as ABP’s Office Coordinator. In this important role she is responsible for ensuring that the office runs smoothly, with duties including clerical tasks, administrative work, and more.

Before joining ABP, Emani worked in a variety of administrative positions, including an internship with a Fortune 500 company that turned into a full-time job in 2020. She credits the Year Up Greater Atlanta work development program she participated in with helping her develop the soft and hard skills that serve her so well in her current role with the Partnership. While continuing to add to her work experience, Emani also attends Kennesaw State University where she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems. After receiving her degree, Emani hopes to become a data analyst, assisting with projects while traveling.

Emani is a Texas native but has lived in different parts of Georgia since moving here in 2016. Before graduating from Norcross High School, Emani logged over 200 hours of community service and plans to continue making a positive impact one project at a time. Having grown up in a military family Emani learned the importance of being adaptable, a trait that will serve her well as the newest member of the ABP team.

Native Atlantan Kellie James manages the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Free Fitness Program and Instructor Collective. She has a unique set of interpersonal and professional skills that make her a great addition to the team and talent that is expanding the reach and offerings of the program.

With dual, nationally-recognized certifications as a Spin Instructor and Certified Project Manager, Kellie is a natural-born people person. She has led large-scale projects for Fortune 500 companies for more than 10 years. And she loves to educate and introduce Spin to anyone who gives her a second to listen.

Her love for fitness started in 2020 when her youngest daughter moved off to attend college. After trying out a variety of fitness genres, she discovered Spin and the rest is history. In her spare time, Kellie enjoys riding her bike on the BeltLine and trying new restaurants.