Leadership Atlanta’s 2026 Class Includes Ben Young, Editor of Georgia Trend

Ben Young, Georgia Trend’s publisher and editor-in-chief, is among the 82 community leaders who have been selected to participate in Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2026 Program. This class includes representatives from diverse industries who share a common desire to move Atlanta forward by delving deeply into community issues.

“We are delighted to introduce our 55th Class,” states Pat Upshaw-Monteith, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s a privilege to uphold Leadership Atlanta’s legacy of uniting the region’s most influential, committed, and innovative leaders, all driven by a common goal of advancing our community. We eagerly anticipate the innovative ideas and initiatives that the Class of 2026 will contribute!”

“I am truly honored to collaborate with the outstanding leaders of the Class of 2026. Leadership Atlanta plays a vital role in fostering Atlanta’s remarkable spirit of community, and I look forward to supporting and amplifying that energy as we work together toward the city’s continued growth and success.” Ben Young, Publisher, Georgia Trend

Ben Young, Publisher, Georgia Trend. Photo credit: Daemon Baizan

During the nine-month program, the class will learn more about the region by participating in retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, discussion groups, community tours, and other impactful experiential activities. In addition to exploring important regional issues, class members will critically examine themselves as leaders, challenge themselves to find ways to be more effective in their leadership roles, and build relationships of trust and mutual understanding with each other.

Each year, a Leadership Atlanta trustee is selected by his/her peers to serve as the incoming class Volunteer Program Chair. Gairy Moore, Partner in Charge of the Atlanta/Birmingham Audit Practice for Deloitte, will be the Program Chair for the Class of 2026.

Moore says, “Leadership Atlanta’s program required me to be vulnerable, uncomfortable, and stay fully present with my class members for nine months. It reinforced that, as leaders, we must constantly remind ourselves to listen, have hard conversations, cultivate curiosity, and be truly authentic. I am more committed than ever to Leadership Atlanta’s mission — ‘to inspire members to take on and exercise real leadership committed to serving the common good.’ These times demand courage over comfort and Leadership Atlanta provides that experience.”

About Leadership Atlanta:
Leadership Atlanta is one of the oldest continuously running training programs of its type in the country. Formed in 1969, it quickly addressed the growing need for a trained cadre of leaders to move Metro Atlanta towards unity and shared prosperity. The mission of Leadership Atlanta to build a better community for everyone in the Atlanta region through education about the key issues facing the region and inspiring members and others to take on and exercise real leadership committed to serving the common good. For additional information about Leadership Atlanta and its programs, visit leadershipatlanta.org.