Two members of the Board of Trustees have been selected as Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Joselyn Butler Baker ’91 and Tammy Pearson ’86 have both been chosen for their significant professional accomplishments and community involvement.

They will be honored, along with the 21 members of this year’s cohort, at a special ceremony on October 9 at The Dogwood at Westside Paper. They were selected from a total of 252 nominations.

“Joselyn and Tammy deserve this community-wide recognition,” said Kathryn McClymond, president of the university. “Their unwavering dedication to service and leadership to Atlanta and beyond reflects Oglethorpe University’s values and commitment to excellence. I am proud to call them alumnae, and I am grateful for their service on our Board of Trustees.”

Tammy Pearson, in addition to being the Chair of the Oglethorpe Board of Trustees, has served as vice president and assistant general counsel at Chick-fil-A, Inc. since 2001. Her expansive in-house legal practice encompasses corporate governance, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, litigation, real estate, employment law, franchise law, contract law, and international law.  Prior to her time at Chick-fil-A, Inc., she was a Partner in the Finance and Commercial Real Estate Department at Hunton & Williams in Atlanta, where she negotiated and closed significant commercial real estate transactions. Her legal acumen was honed through roles at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York and Kilpatrick Stockton in Atlanta.

As chair of the Board of Trustees, she has been instrumental in advancing the university’s strategic initiatives, focusing on increasing alumni engagement, enhancing student retention, and promoting diversity, inclusion and collaboration. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2008 and has led committees, including Chair of the Advancement committee, Vice Chair of the Ad Hoc Human Resources committee, Chair of the Governance committee, and Executive Secretary, to name a few. Tammy was previously a member of the President’s Advisory Council beginning in 2004 and was elected to serve as its chair in 2008.

“This honor is a reflection of the many people who have mentored, challenged, and supported me along the way, including many individuals at Oglethorpe,” said Pearson. “I am grateful for the opportunity to pay that assistance forward by helping other women lead with confidence and compassion.”

Pearson’s extensive community involvement reflects her unwavering dedication to service and leadership. Through her roles in education, legal aid, domestic violence prevention, youth leadership, and global outreach, she has made a lasting impact on the Atlanta community.

Joselyn Butler Baker is a distinguished leader whose unwavering commitment to community service has profoundly impacted Atlanta’s healthcare, education, and civic sectors. As President of the Grady Health Foundation, she has not only advanced the mission of Grady Health System but has also demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing the quality of life for residents across metro Atlanta. She has more than doubled annual fundraising at Grady Health Foundation, and led a successful $114 million campaign to fund the modernization of Grady’s facilities. She has also been instrumental in ensuring that the community understands all that Grady contributes – from their role in economic growth, to investing in preventative care that allows Atlantans to live their best lives.

A member of the Oglethorpe Board of Trustees since 2016, Joselyn contributes to shaping the future of higher education in Georgia. Her involvement ensures that the university continues to provide quality education and fosters community engagement, benefiting students and the broader community.

“Being recognized as a Woman of Influence is very meaningful to me. I’ve been fortunate to build a career doing work I love, and serving on Oglethorpe’s Board of Trustees allows me to give back to my university and the wonderful work they are doing,” says Baker.

Every role she has undertaken has allowed her to positively impact the city, region, and state, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to public service and community betterment. Through her exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to community service, she has not only advanced the mission of Grady Health System but has also significantly improved the lives of individuals across metro Atlanta.

The university is grateful for the service of these two Women of Influence, and for all their contributions to our Board of Trustees.