Atlanta Beltline Partnership Welcomes New Board Members, Establishes Ex Officio Leadership SeatAtlanta Beltline Partnership Welcomes New Board Members, Establishes Ex Officio Leadership Seat

ATLANTA (March 16, 2026) – Atlanta Beltline Partnership has expanded its board of directors, welcoming five new leaders from world-class companies invested in shaping Atlanta’s future and has formalized an ex officio board seat for the President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. The governance update is designed to strengthen coordination and long-term alignment between the two organizations as the Beltline continues to advance.

New board members include Cleve Fann of Georgia Power Company, Ranjan Goswami of Delta Air Lines, Chad McCloud of Jabian Consulting, Jessica Steinberg of The Home Depot and Fabiola Charles Stokes of Google Inc. Beth Chandler, Chief Legal Officer at Rollins Inc., continues her two-year term as board chair.

The ex officio board seat is tied to the President and CEO role at Atlanta Beltline, Inc., the organization responsible for implementing the Beltline. The position is currently held by Clyde Higgs and is intended to provide consistent, role-based leadership representation on the Partnership’s board. The seat is tied to the role rather than the individual and will continue regardless of changes in leadership.

Chandler said Atlanta Beltline Partnership remains focused on philanthropic support, bringing the trail to life and ensuring legacy residents are able to remain in their homes and communities. A key recent milestone includes the groundbreaking on Phase 1 of the city’s first bike park, made possible by an $8 million lead gift from The Chestnut Family Foundation, with additional fundraising underway for Phase 2.

“Atlanta Beltline Partnership remains focused on the Beltline being a beacon of light and empowerment in Atlanta,” Chandler said. “Our empowerment workshop series, free Beltline fitness programs and the bike park now under construction are meeting important community needs. And there is so much more to come as we continue working toward completion of the 22-mile mainline trail by 2030, building the emerald necklace of parks around the Beltline, and ensuring legacy residents remain in their homes and communities.”

In 2025, Atlanta Beltline Partnership expanded its Legacy Resident Retention Program to serve 276 participants, while more than 1,000 people registered for Empower Workshops designed to help residents manage their time, finances and homeownership goals. Participants also signed up for more than 500 free fitness classes in 2025. In 2026, the Atlanta Beltline Race Series, in partnership with the Atlanta Track Club, is expanding with the Southside 8K and will award a medal to those who “Race the Loop” by completing all four races.

Chandler added that key priorities in 2026 include securing additional donations to complete Phase 2 of the Bike Park at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park and celebrating the completion of 16 miles of continuous mainline trail, expected to open in time to welcome visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Over 20 years, more than 4,400 donors, large and small, have contributed more than $240 million to support the Beltline vision, with transformational support from philanthropic leaders including the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, James M. Cox Foundation and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Establishing the ex officio seat formalizes the long-standing collaboration between Atlanta Beltline Partnership and Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is the official implementation agency for the project, responsible for planning, building, and delivering the project’s trails, parks, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Atlanta Beltline Partnership is the nonprofit foundation, raising private and philanthropic funds and delivering donor-funded community programs that support residents and enhance community impact as the corridor grows.

“Our collaboration ensures the Beltline delivers on its promise,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is responsible for delivering the infrastructure and long-term vision of the project, while Atlanta Beltline Partnership ensures philanthropic support is translated into meaningful benefits for residents. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Atlanta.”

“We are pleased to welcome these community and business leaders to our board and to formalize a governance structure that supports strong collaboration as we prepare for the Beltline's long-term success,” said Rob Brawner, Executive Director of Atlanta Beltline Partnership. “The Partnership’s role is to mobilize philanthropic and corporate support, engage Atlanta’s companies and their employees through volunteerism, and ensure those investments translate into real, lasting benefits for the communities surrounding the Beltline. This structure helps us remain a trusted partner to neighborhoods, donors, volunteers, and all those who contribute time, talent, and resources to this transformative project.”

New Board Members

Cleve Fann, Senior Vice President, Region External Affairs, Georgia Power Company, brings more than 25 years of experience leading strategic development and execution across capital campaigns, distribution reliability, engineering services, asset protection, stakeholder engagement, forestry and right-of-way management.

Ranjan Goswami, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Delta, leads the airline’s global marketing strategy while continuing to oversee Customer Experience Design. His strategic vision has strengthened Delta’s brand, deepened key partnerships, and enhanced the travel experience for customers worldwide. Ranjan’s servant leadership has long championed the Delta people – who deliver on the company’s mission, vision and provide a best‑in‑class premium service every day.

Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., serves as a nonvoting ex officio board member. He has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, strategic planning, design, grant and donor funding, and government relations, and continues to lead efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive Atlanta.

Chad McCloud, Market Executive Director at Jabian Consulting, delivers expertise in strategic management and technology consulting, delivering growth strategies and driving new business beyond traditional markets. He is recognized for developing roadmaps and business cases that achieve measurable results and for leading diverse, cross-functional teams.

Jessica Steinberg, Vice President of Human Resources – Supply Chain, Global Brands & Product Development, The Home Depot, leads HR for The Home Depot’s Supply Chain organization, supporting more than 25,000 associates across a national distribution network, corporate supply chain functions, and global sourcing offices in Asia and Latin America. She is dedicated to driving business growth through strong talent, culture, and leadership development. Steinberg brings her strategic, people‑centered perspective to the Atlanta Beltline Partnership Board of Directors.

Fabiola Charles Stokes, Head of Global Sites Strategy, North America, Google Inc., offers leadership in growth and operations, with experience in strategic real estate investments, location strategy, workforce planning and corporate community development. She is recognized for her service on multiple national and Atlanta-based boards and foundations.

Headshots and other media assets are available here.

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About Atlanta Beltline

The Atlanta Beltline is the 22-mile rail-to-trail project that is transforming Atlanta’s neighborhoods, one mile at a time. The Beltline’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. With an additional 11 miles of connector trails, the Atlanta Beltline is one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States. In partnership with local communities and organizations, the Beltline is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, vibrant public spaces, and community-focused programs that promote health and wellness, resident retention, volunteerism, and advocacy along the corridor. Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is the official implementation agency for the Atlanta Beltline and collaborates with Atlanta Beltline Partnership, the foundation that raises private and philanthropic funds and delivers community programs that are fully supported by donor contributions. For more information, please visit beltline.org or follow on social media at @atlantabeltline.

Media contact 

Atlanta Beltline Partnership, David Barton, david@atlblp.org