Be The Change Charity Foundation
Our Leadership & Governance
Board of Directors & Executive Leadership
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Laurie Bell
Originally from Augusta, Georgia, and an Atlanta resident since 2005, Laurie Bell is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Be The Change Charity Foundation, Inc. She established the Foundation to broaden access to enriching experiences for young people from underserved communities and to create opportunities that build confidence, character, and a sense of possibility.
Laurie's commitment to youth development is grounded in her own upbringing as the daughter of a respected community leader. Experiences such as horseback riding, attending ballet performances, and participating in community and cultural activities showed her how mentorship and exposure beyond the classroom can shape a young person's outlook. She founded Be The Change to make meaningful experiences like these more accessible to the next generation.
The Foundation's work includes youth golf, cultural outings, museum experiences, self-esteem workshops, mindfulness exercises, journaling, and other activities that encourage personal development and well-being. As CEO, Laurie guides its organizational vision, program development, and strategic relationships, with a focus on creating opportunities for young people to explore new interests, develop life skills, and recognize their potential to lead and serve.
Sarana Harford
Chief Operating Officer
Sarana Harford serves as Chief Operating Officer of Be The Change Charity Foundation, Inc., supporting the day-to-day operations and coordinated delivery of the Foundation's youth programs, community initiatives, and events. A dedicated advocate for youth development and community empowerment, she brings both professional discipline and experience working with young learners to her leadership role.
Sarana is a Donor Quality Assurance Specialist at Artivion, Inc., working in the biomedical and human tissue banking field. She holds a degree in Biology from Virginia State University and has more than a decade of early childhood education experience, including integrating science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts into learning experiences that encourage creativity and confidence.
Since joining Be The Change in 2023, Sarana has supported programming and outreach involving youth golf, mental health, equestrian experiences, agricultural education, and community engagement. She also has final operational responsibility for volunteer recruitment, event assignments, and volunteer performance oversight, helping maintain an organized and supportive experience for the people who contribute their time to the Foundation's mission. She is guided by a belief in the collective role of families and communities in helping children thrive.
Kenneth Saunders, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth Saunders, Jr. serves as Chief Financial Officer of Be The Change Charity Foundation, Inc. He brings more than 50 years of experience as an engineering, construction, and program management executive, with a career spanning major infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives in both the public and private
sectors.
His professional experience includes leadership on projects serving the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and other Georgia communities. His work has encompassed water and wastewater infrastructure, aviation, transportation, and public facilities, together with strategic planning, complex project delivery, and
stakeholder engagement. A graduate of Tulane University with a degree in civil engineering, Kenneth has built his career around overseeing large-scale initiatives and working across organizations and communities.
As a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors and its Chief Financial Officer, Kenneth brings an experienced perspective to financial stewardship, organizational accountability, planning, and sustainable growth. His longstanding knowledge of metro Atlanta and public-sector partnerships complements Be The Change's commitment to responsible leadership, deliberate organizational growth, and lasting community impact.
Dawn Boddie
Board Director
Dawn Boddie serves on the Board of Directors of Be The Change Charity Foundation, Inc., where she contributes her professional perspective, commitment to service, and passion for expanding opportunities for young people. She believes in the value of enriching experiences that encourage personal growth, confidence, and stronger connections to community.
Dawn studied Geological Engineering at the University of Mississippi and serves as a Review Engineer Officer with DeKalb County. Her engineering-related professional background and community involvement provide a practical perspective on coordination, responsibility, and collaborative problem-solving.
Since joining Be The Change in 2025, Dawn has actively supported the Foundation's youth golf division, equestrian activities, and community outreach efforts. In addition to her responsibilities as a board director, she assists with volunteer engagement and coordination for programs and events. Through her service, Dawn helps connect people and resources with initiatives that give young people new opportunities to learn, participate, and thrive.
Dr. LaTisha Mitchell
Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Advisor
Dr. LaTisha Mitchell is a higher education leader, relationship builder, and community advocate with nearly 15 years of experience creating pathways to opportunity. Her career spans college access, admissions, student affairs, honors programs, career services, and alumni engagement, with a consistent focus on connecting people to resources and experiences that support their growth.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Mitchell draws on her own educational journey in her commitment to youth development. Early participation in a college access program inspired her to study Youth Development and pursue a career in higher education. She later returned to support the same program that first introduced her to the possibilities of college, bringing her experience full circle.
As Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Advisor and a founding member of Be The Change Charity Foundation's Advisory Council, Dr. Mitchell brings expertise in relationship development, community engagement, partnerships, program development, and volunteer leadership. She is passionate about helping organizations turn ideas into action and create sustainable opportunities for young people and their communities.
Originally from South Carolina, Dr. Mitchell has called Atlanta home for more than a decade. She earned a bachelor's degree in Youth Development from Furman University, a master's degree from Mercer University, and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. Outside of her professional work, she is a proud aunt, mentor, traveler, and community advocate who values living and leading with purpose.
Advisory Council
