2020 IMPACT Award Recipients
Madi Davis
If you have ever needed a coffee pick-me-up, you may have run into Madi Davis, owner of Noble & Main Coffee Co., which was started in 2017.
Madi has a bachelor’s degree from Berry College in Psychology with minors in Family Studies and Sociology. She is an individual who cares deeply about meeting needs and elevating others in the community; she also loves coffee. Because of her love for the community and passion for others, Madi has created a barista apprenticeship program for high schoolers to help them learn soft skills, business skills, and leadership skills. She also showcases the work of local artisans at her coffee shop. From renovating a historic building to handling COVID-19 as a new business owner, Madi is excelling as a young entrepreneur.
Madi has volunteered with many local organizations. She is the Secretary of the Board for the Tranquility House Domestic Violence Shelter and has partnered with Orphan Aid Liberia, Bartow Family Resources, Advocates for Children, and a local Girl Scout Troop in Bartow County. Her work with the Girl Scouts led to the development of an entrepreneurship badge that teaches young girls to set goals, create plans, and locate resources. According to Girl Scout Troop Leader Kimberly McAllister, because of Madi’s influence, young women in the troop plan to open a shop of some kind in Cartersville when they grow up.
Madi’s primary goals are “to create a positive work environment to grow leaders and foster a sense of community among the staff and customers.”
Matthew Gambill
Matthew Gambill is a well-known face around Bartow County. He is noted for being selfless, dedicated, and compassionate by those who nominated him.
Matthew’s role in the Georgia House of Representatives, to which he was elected in 2018, has allowed him to lead the legislative interests of District 15 (Bartow County). He hopes to continue to work with others and truly listen to the needs of those around him to make an impact in his community.
He also works as the Business Development Manager – Corporate Benefits with NFP and has helped identify and procure several major new clients in Georgia. Before these current roles, he worked with the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education, which became second in the United States in membership, along with many other accolades.
An organization close to Matthew’s heart is Boys & Girls Clubs of Bartow County. Gordon Gilley, the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs describes Matthew as “an integral part of Cartersville and Bartow County’s businesses, civic, religious, and charitable communities.” A large part of the funds for the Boys & Girls Club came from an Atlanta-based charitable foundation that Matthew helped secure.
Matthew currently serves as the Board Chair for the Bartow County Boys & Girls Clubs and is on the board for Recovery Bartow. Matthew is both a Youth Leadership Bartow graduate and a Leadership Bartow graduate. He is a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he is a Sunday School Teacher.
Lara Jeanneret
Lara Jeanneret describes herself as being “passionate about Cartersville and the businesses and people who make this a wonderful place to live and work.” She is also a firm believer in supporting our local communities and donating her time and talents.
Lara started her graphic design company in 2008 from her own kitchen table after obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design from Kennesaw State University. Her company has helped clients across Bartow County, around the country, and even a few international clients.
Advocates for Children President/CEO, Rachel Castillo, said that Lara worked with them to design a new website. “Lara is talented and shares her gifts freely with Advocates helping us to understand best practices and polishing our professional image.” Dan Kramer, Downtown Development Authority Chairman, said, “you would be hard pressed to find a charity, organization, or community activity that has not benefited from her presence.”
In 2020, Lara received the Frontline Heroes Award as well as the Hometown Hero Award. She also previously served as a board member for the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority for six years and is now a volunteer on the Promotions Committee and the Cartersville Bluegrass & Roots Festival of which she serves as chairman.
Lara says, “as a small business owner, I strongly believe that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and community, and we want to help each and every one of them grow and thrive.”
Mecole Ledbetter
Mecole Ledbetter’s work in our community “contributes to a stronger local workforce, gives a helping hand to those in our future workforce, and provides leadership for others to grow their own leadership skills” says Leslie Johnson, Campus Dean at Georgia Highlands College, Cartersville campus.
Mecole started her higher-education journey at Georgia Highlands College where she graduated with her Associate of Science in Business Administration in 2008, and recently received her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University. Currently, she is back at Georgia Highlands College, serving as the Bachelor of Business Management Program Coordinator. As Program Coordinator, she has led the creation of two meaningful BBA programs: Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Healthcare Management. Due to Mecole’s efforts, “the Georgia Highlands College bachelor’s program attained maximum enrollment within two years and increased the enrollment cap last year” according to Mrs. Johnson.
Mecole’s time at Georgia Highlands College has taught her several skills such as empathy, diplomacy, teamwork, development, and coaching. These skills help her facilitate and support the growth of others within Georgia Highlands College and within our local community. She graduated Leadership Bartow in 2017. Since then she has served as a committee member and is the current Chair for the Class of 2021. Through this platform, she aids in the growth and development of new leaders in Bartow County.
Zach Pritchard
Zach Pritchard is not only “a fervent advocate for his clients and their cases, but he is a generous giver of his time and talent” as described by Carrie Trotter, who is “proud to call Zach a colleague and a friend.”
Zach started his law career in 2013 after graduating from John Marshall Law School in 2012. From there, he worked with a legal firm based in Marietta, GA before returning to Bartow County in 2019 to establish Pritchard Injury Firm, which he believes is his calling. Zach’s career accomplishments are many including “10 Best Attorneys” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (2019), “Top One Percent” by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2019), and the “Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award” by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (2018). Zach’s focus in establishing the Pritchard Injury Firm was not just on his clients, but more importantly, on the way he could give back to the community around him. Zach and his staff regularly donate supplies to local charities and nonprofits. They have also provided meals for healthcare workers at the hospital. Recently, Zach and his staff visited Bartow Family Resources to renovate a client room in need of a facelift. Zach is a graduate of the Leadership Bartow Class of 2020 and chose to serve on the Committee to help facilitate the 2021 Youth Leadership Bartow program.
Zach is a gracious benefactor of his time and resources. You are likely to see Zach and his family around Cartersville either at the Farmer’s Market, running a 5k, or just strolling through downtown.
