Thursday Thought Leaders LUNCH - Dec. 12, 2024

Community leaders Tim Bentsen and DePriest Waddy will explore the importance of giving back to the community and how individuals and organizations can create meaningful impact through thoughtful involvement. They will share success stories from the local community, illustrating the effects of charitable giving on growth and support.

Attendees will learn how to evaluate causes, choose effective avenues for involvement, and gain advice on fundraising strategies.  The session will also cover the current state of charitable giving and provide practical guidance on selecting organizations that align with personal values and strategic goals for sustainable change.

NOTE THIS IS A LUNCHEON  EVENT

Our guest speakers are:
DePriest Waddy, Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia  and Tim Bentsen, Synovus Bank



DePriest Waddy
PRESIDENT AND CEO

DePriest has a long history of leadership in the nonprofit sector. He has served almost 30 years in leadership roles at various nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies, including the American Hospital Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, Families First and the Gwinnett Technical College Board of Trustees.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation in June 2022, DePriest was CEO of Families First, a 131 year-old nonprofit serving at-risk children and families throughout Georgia, the United States and abroad. 

DePriest received his bachelors degree in marketing from The University of Alabama and his MBA from Kennesaw State University. He is a Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2015 alumnus, as well as a Leadership Birmingham Class of 2019 alumnus and Leadership Atlanta Class of 2022. He has been named to the Atlanta 500 in 2021 and 2022, Atlanta Magazine’s annual list of the area’s most powerful leaders. He was also awarded the Georgia Titan 100 in 2022. He and his wife, Carol, have one married daughter and two granddaughters.



Tim Bentsen
 
Tim is a former audit partner and practice leader for KPMG LLP, a US based global accounting and advisory services firm.  Over his 37 years with KPMG, Tim served major banks and financial services companies throughout the United States.  He retired in 2012 after having served as Southeast Area and Atlanta Office Managing Partner for KPMG. Post-KPMG, Tim has served on the boards of directors of four public companies including Synovus Financial Corp. and Synovus Bank where he continues to serve as the Independent Lead Director. He also taught in the Masters of Accountancy Program at University of Georgia for seven years.
 
Throughout his adult life, Tim has had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in the communities in which he lived and worked.  His efforts began with service in his churches and the schools attended by his children.  In his 30+ years in the Atlanta community, Tim has served on the boards of Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Metro Atlanta, Woodruff Arts Center, Arete Scholars Fund, and Georgia Center for Opportunity.
 
Tim and his wife, Susan, have five children and eight grandchildren and reside in Brookhaven.