The Florence McDonnell Center

The Board of Directors

 

Board of Directors members represent an ecumenical professional group of multi-dimensional cross-cultural backgrounds. Their separate gifts representing work, wealth, and wisdom are richly woven in their dedication to excellence. Led by a chairperson with business, legal, and leadership experience, the Board of Directors guides the Counseling Center in its public endeavors as well as grounding the internal processes of providing quality services.

Walter Grant, Chair – Walter has more than 36 years of business and legal experience. He has served as a partner with Alston & Bird, a major Atlanta law firm, as a senior executive officer and General Counsel of four major companies, and as a member of the Board of Directors of several companies. Walter was born in Winchester, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University.

Vince Clanton, CFPTM, Treasurer – Vince is the President of The Chancellor Group, Inc., and specializes in comprehensive personal financial planning, and management consulting. He is a past president of Health Partners’ Services, Inc., and Read, Mallon, Clanton, Battle, Sessa. He is a past member of the Cathedral Chapter, and past president of the Georgia State University Alumni Association. He is active in a number of volunteer organizations. Vince, too, is one of the Center’s founders.

Karen Armstrong, Vice Chair, Secretary – Karen is the co-owner of two Ladies Fitness locations and a cash management software system for fitness centers. Karen’s professional background is in management development and consulting, and she has extensive volunteer experience in fundraising for non-profit organizations. She is currently the chair of the Center’s Development Committee.

Gordon Bynum – A retired Coca Cola executive, Gordon has been a civic leader in the Metro Atlanta area for many years. He brings to the Council extensive business experience and expertise. Having served on a number of boards, he brings a large amount of experience to the development of nonprofits and their operation.

Ann Claypool – Licensed Certified Social Worker, Academy of Certified Social Workers, and certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Ann is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana; served on the faculty of the School of Medicine of the University of Alabama in Birmingham; and worked in private practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups in Birmingham for several years. She is involved in a variety of activities, including serving on the Board of Trustees of the Alliance for Christian Media. Ann worked as a psychotherapist at the Florence McDonnell Center before becoming part of its Board of Directors.

Patricia McCall Corlew, MS, Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – (inactive)

Braswell Gamble – Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. American Counseling Association, Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia. A native of Atlanta, Braswell has spent the last eight years working for Cobb/Douglas Community Services Board as a psychotherapist. This setting gave her the opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of mental health issues. Her areas of expertise include clinical depression, issues arising from experiencing trauma and/or abuse, survivor issues, learning to live with a mental illness, and coping with a mentally ill family member. With a deep and abiding belief that a life of joy, abundance and peace is available to all human beings no matter what the circumstances, she sees counseling as a way of facilitating the self discovery that leads to such a life. Her current interests include spiritual direction, end of life issues for individuals and families, and providing clinical supervision.

Sidney Isenberg, M.D. – Sidney is a native of Atlanta and has been in private practice in psychiatry in the Atlanta area for the past 50 years. He was affiliated with GAPC in the initial stages, has been an instructor at the Atlanta University Student Health Service and was the psychiatric consultant at Georgia Tech Student Services for 20 years.

Fay Pearce – A native Atlantan, Fay graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering and went on to work for the Coca-Cola Company for 33 years. Now retired, Fay is active in many organizations some of which include his church, local Boy Scouts, school alumni associations, serving on the board for the Bobby Dodd Institute, Funds Development Chair and the Historic Oakland Foundation.

Jeff Pierce – Jeff began his career in the retail industry as an intern and his efforts in marketing, brand management and business development experience have earned him a rapid ascent within the Simon Property Group. He is currently Vice President of Mall Marketing for the Southeast Region overseeing 36 malls throughout the Southeast and Puerto Rico. He has also volunteered his time with Camp Horizon and is currently on the board of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Catherine Powell - A real estate attorney, Catherine has also been active in fund raising and development in a number of charitable institutions. This well-connected Atlantan brings an experienced energy to the Council and to the Center in its programs and operations.

Anita Shippen – Anita attended Agnes Scott College and has dedicated her life to working with children, including presently teaching preschool at The Cathedral of St. Philip. She has been active in the Agnes Scott Alumnae Association and has served on its board. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Camp Juliette Low in Cloudland, Georgia. Anita is also active in Northwood Garden Club and the Antique Study Group.

Linda Touch – Linda is a Marketing Manager at UPS and brings her extensive marketing, promotions and PR background to the Board of Directors. As a member of the Junior League of Atlanta, Linda is an active volunteer and leader for women and children's issues in Atlanta. She serves on the leadership team of the Nearly New Thrift Store, volunteers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and participates on the fundraising committee for Senior Connections.

The Reverend Canon Thomas H. Conley, Executive Director and Pastoral Theologian-in-Residence – The Reverend Canon Thomas H. Conley is the retired Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Philip.  Trained as a pastoral psychotherapist, he has a strong background in the creation of counseling centers within churches in the Atlanta area.  He is one of the founders of this Center. He is a published author, lecturer, speaker and leader who has served on boards of governors and Board of Directors of several counseling centers in his 45-year ministry.

Albert Davis, M.D., Administrative/Clinical Director – Medical degree from Emory University; medical internship, St. Vincent’s Hospital, NYC; psychiatry residency, Emory University; Board Certification:  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  Practice consisting of individual, marital, and family psychotherapy:  insight oriented, analytic-based, Jungian perspective of psychotherapy as a challenge in the journey of personal and spiritual growth.  Medication management, marital and family therapy, and legal consultation are areas of special interest.  Work history includes hospital psychiatry, medical ethics, substance dependency treatment, clergy wellness, impaired physician program, geriatric psychiatry and administrative healthcare. Albert is also one of the founders of this Center.