The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) today announced Hala Moddelmog’s decision to step down from her post as president and CEO. Moddelmog entered the role in January 2014 as the first woman to lead the organization and is credited with bringing business-savvy and a next-generation approach to MAC’s work.

 

“Metro Atlanta has experienced terrific momentum over recent years. Our economy is booming, and we have become known as a center for careers and culture that is attractive to both business and talent,” said MAC’s 2020 chair Marty Flanagan, president and CEO of Invesco. “Many of us have been involved in forging aspects of this growth, but it’s no doubt Hala Moddelmog’s leadership at the Chamber has been a driving force as we work together and envision the future of Atlanta. Her passion and impact have made a lasting mark on our business community and entire region.”

 

MAC’s executive governing committee has appointed a search committee led by Larry Gellerstedt to conduct an internal and external search for the organization’s next president and CEO with an eye towards a leader with roots in the business community and experience successfully navigating a changing environment. With the momentum present in the metro Atlanta region — unprecedented job growth, magnetic business environment and rising brand reputation — mixed with the challenges of economic mobility, income inequality, workforce development and talks of a recession, MAC continues to desire a seasoned leader who embraces a next-gen mindset with the courage to face some of our region’s most pressing issues. Moddelmog will remain in position until a new leader is in place.

 

“What major American region is purposefully trying to double or triple in size while also becoming more sustainable, more equitable and more transit-friendly? I’ve heard leaders ask this question and, in my view, the answer is clearly ‘Atlanta.’ We can become that city and region,” said Moddelmog. “The Metro Atlanta Chamber has such deep roots in our community and has played a role in almost every major Atlanta milestone across 160 years. Leading this organization for the past six years and working with business and community leaders to birth new initiatives that drive the region forward has been an honor.”

 

Under Moddelmog’s leadership, MAC has seen an important shift that adds to its 160-year legacy in a significant way. This shift has been described as “next generation,” and MAC leaders have often reminded audiences that “this is not your grandfather’s chamber.” Specifically, during Moddelmog’s tenure, metro Atlanta has boasted major economic development wins that have brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, including Mercedes-Benz, Honeywell, Pandora, Starbucks, BlackRock, Norfolk Southern and many others. Through the Atlanta Sports Council, which is a part of MAC’s strategic focus on promoting Atlanta, major sporting events were lured to the region, including the College Football Playoff National Championship, Super Bowl LIII and the NCAA Final Four. In addition, Moddelmog oversaw the launch of transformative initiatives in response to needs of Atlanta’s business community that solidified the organization’s commitment to positioning the region for the next generation. Examples include: ChooseATL, THEA, Backed by ATL, Project Plato and the organization’s stance against discriminatory legislation. 

 

Moddelmog also worked to ensure MAC’s alignment with business and economic trends. She hired the organization’s first chief economist, first chief innovation officer and formalized a focus on diversity and inclusion within her senior leadership team. She reset the nonprofit’s budget to ensure the highest return for its investors with 80 percent of MAC’s resources going directly to programs. She also set a higher standard for MAC, moving the 160-year-old organization into a new, state-of-the-art office space, launching a new logo and web site, and refreshing the organization’s values to align with best practices in employee engagement.

 

In addition, Moddelmog has been credited with driving a fresh approach to collaboration, which resulted in deeper relationships with economic development organizations, colleges and universities, entrepreneurs, government officials and nonprofits across the region.Learn4Life and the ATL Brand Box are examples that resulted from her view of collective impact as a must-have in MAC’s efforts to advance the 29-county region.

 

In the next phase of her career, Moddelmog will remain a passionate champion for diversity on boards and women in leadership as well as an ambassador for metro Atlanta. She will continue to serve on public and private boards and in various strategic advisory roles and participate in community work.

 

For more information about MAC and Moddelmog’s bio, visit MetroAtlantaChamber.com.