Douglas County Young Professionals Announce the 2023 Emerging Leader Honorees  

Douglas County Young Professionals Announce the 2023 Emerging Leader Honorees  

Douglasville, GA (December 14, 2023)– Douglas County Young Professionals (DCYP), a program of the Douglas County Chamber, is pleased to announce the recipients of the2023 Emerging Leader Awards of 2023. The award ceremony was held at the Douglasville Conference Center during the Douglas County Chamber’s 78th Annual Report on Wednesday, December 6th. 

DCYP has a mission to attract emerging professionals to engage, develop and serve in Douglas County. Their events and offerings are designed to support emerging professionals along their path with scholarships, resources, awards, mentoring, fun activities, and more. 

Sara Ray, President and CEO of Douglas County Chamber commented, “we are delighted to honor these outstanding individuals who exemplify leadership and commitment. The Emerging Leader Awards showcase the remarkable talent in our community, and we eagerly recognize and support these individuals as they persist in making meaningful contributions to Douglas County. Congratulations to all the recipients!”  

2023 Emerging Leader Honorees 

Emerging Leader Award – Gabrielle Thomas 

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a young professional on the rise in Douglas County who is an emerging professional in their industry and is making significant strides in their career. This is a person others should watch. 

Gabrielle is the Founder and Executive Director of the CMA Legacy Mentoring Program. Gabrielle founded the program to provide mentorship and social services to youth who have been incarcerated within the juvenile justice system. Gabrielle has been and continues to be an exceptional leader in the making, despite the obstacles and circumstances that she has faced during the inception of the program. Under her leadership, CMA Legacy Mentoring Program is destined to reach new heights.  

Advocacy and Leadership Award – Tashae Sterling 

The Advocacy and Leadership Award recognizes a young professional with the largest voice and puts a call to action in their local community to insight positive impact. 

Drawing from her wealth of experience leading guest engagement with Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, Shae has developed a unique talent for creating memorable experiences and cultivating a sense of inclusivity within a community. During her tenure as the Main Street Coordinator, she has spearheaded efforts to preserve downtown Douglasville’s vitality, supporting local businesses and residents in the process. Her dedication to community building has resulted in increased engagement and recognition as a community advocate. Shae is a strong advocate for community building as a catalyst for positive change. She firmly believes in the transformative power that intentional planning events that foster a sense of belonging, and inclusion can empower individuals, stimulate economic growth, and drive progress.  

Community Service Excellence Award– Rylee Govoreau 

The Community Service Excellence Award recognizes a young professional with a passion for improving the quality of life in Douglas County through their service and volunteerism. 

Coming up on her two-year work anniversary as Tourism Program Manager for the City of Douglasville, Rylee Govoreau has made it a priority to get involved in both the industry and community in a short time. Selected as “Rookie of the Year” at the first conference she attended in her current role and coaching her 12U and 15U volleyball teams to the championships in Douglasville Parks and Recreation’s inaugural season, Rylee’s passion shines through.  

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award – Eriel Dunnam  

The Entrepreneurial Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurship through starting a business, driving innovation, or pursuing unique ventures. 

Eriel Dunnam is a Georgia native and graduate of New Manchester High School. She currently serves as Director of Operations for the Brookman Group. Beyond the professional realm she is an avid advocate for creativity, showcasing her creativity through photography and event planning.  

For more information about DCYP or to attend their events, please visit douglascountygeorgia.com.