Athens Community Leaders Selected for UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class
Monday, July 24th, 2023
Each year the UGA Alumni Association recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 for their personal, professional, and philanthropic achievements through the 40 Under 40 class. The Class of 2023 includes five Athens-Clarke County area leaders in all sectors of the community
Jim Griffin (BS '07) is the Director of Surgical Oncology and HPB Surgery at UCBC’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Athens, GA. Before his current role, he was a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and surgical oncologist at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, where he established the first surgical oncology and HPB program in Northeast GA. Griffin is involved with the greater Athens community and the UGA student body, serving as a cancer advocate, mentor, preceptor, and shadowing resource.
Lawrence Harris (BS '12, Ph.D. '21) serves as the Chief Impact Officer for KIPP Metro Atlanta Public Schools. His career in education first started as a college counselor, which allowed him to work his way up to where he is today. In addition, he started his own non-profit in 2014 called College Factory. Harris is heavily involved in the community, serving on several boards of charities and nonprofits, including the United Way of Northeast Georgia, College Factory and Envision Athens.
Tionya Lawrence (BS '07) is a family nurse practitioner at Athens Neighborhood Health Center/Hilsman Health Center. She began her career in healthcare as a registrar in the Breast Health Center of Athens Regional Medical Center and worked her way through her master’s of nursing and the family nurse practitioner program. Lawrence currently serves as the chairman of the Clarke County Board of Health and is the president of the Iota Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Simone Moonsammy (AB ’10, BS ’10, MSW ’20) is a small business founder/owner of a business that focuses on her career goals of intersecting mental health care, supportive employment, and skills building/policy in a way that affords the flexibility demanded by motherhood. Moonsammy continues to be an agent of positive change and promotes justice and equity in her community by serving on various advisory councils and committees for marginalized populations in Athens.
Scott Voigt (BBA ’07, MACC ’08) is the partner/co-founder of Verisail Partners. Before becoming a financial advisor, Voigt worked in investment banking for two years. Currently, Verisail Partners serve over 300 households across the country. Voigt and his family are active within the Athens community, volunteering at Our Daily Bread with Downtown Ministries, Meals on Wheels, and in their local church.
These alumni have leveraged their education and training built at UGA to conduct groundbreaking research, serve their communities, and engage in public service. Our community will forever be changed by your leadership and dedication.
