2026 Cobb Rising Professionals Summit: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

2A - Build Your Career Toolbox (Upstairs - A)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

Discover five tools every student needs for career success! This hands-on session helps students identify their strengths, build confidence, and take practical steps to prepare for the world of work.

Presentors

Laura Potts

Member Engagement and Workforce Specialist, Associated General Contractors of Georgia, Inc.

Hi! I’m Laura Potts, a member of the AGC Georgia team serving as a Member Engagement & Workforce Specialist. I bring a decade of experience in education as a High School Counselor, where I was honored to be named 2024 Cobb County School District HS Counselor of Impact and recognized... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2B - Say What?! Talking with Professionals like a Boss (Upstairs - B)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

Effective communication is an essential tool for success in any career field. This session will focus on learning to master face-to-face professional interactions to help you succeed.

Presentors

Sheri Blight

Industry Partnerships Manager, CareerRise

Sheri Blight, a dynamic professional passionate about fostering individual success, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Art and a Master of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. With a career rooted in marketing and event roles, she served as the Assistant... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2C - Getting Hired: The Skills No One Told You About (Upstairs - C)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

This interactive session will address the skills needed to get hired and to network with professionals in any industry.

Presentors

Kathryn Smith

Founder & Principal Consultant, Walton Birch

Meet Kathryn Smith, a dedicated entrepreneur and advocate for small businesses. As the Founder
and Principal Consultant of Walton Birch, a growing web development and digital marketing firm
based in Marietta, GA, Kathryn focuses on helping small businesses establish a credible onli... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2D - 5 Essential Financial Tips for Teens (Upstairs - D)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

This workshop introduces the five most important money habits every young adult should know. Participants will learn how to compare banks and credit unions, open and manage accounts responsibly, build healthy savings practices, and understand how their financial choices today can affect their future opportunities. Teens will leave better prepared to make smart financial decisions that support their long-term success.

Presentors

Ryan Behrens

Financial Education Center Program Manager, Delta Community Credit Union

Ryan has over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, with ten of those years as a dedicated a Financial Educator. In addition to being a graduate from Georgia Southern University, Ryan is also a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor.

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2E - Valuing Your Roots (Upstairs - E)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

Grow your mindset to achieve success.

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2F - Time Management Mastery: Navigating the Road to Success (Upstairs - F)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

Effective time management is essential for thriving in your academic and professional pursuits. This session will equip you with practical strategies to prioritize tasks and maximize your productivity. Attendees will explore different research-based approaches that can help you manage your time efficiently, reduce stress, and achieve your goals. By the end of this session, you'll have the tools to become a master of time management and confidently embark on the next chapter of your life.

Presentors

Andrew Geocaris

Professional Learning Coordinator, Cobb County School District

Andrew Geocaris is the Professional Learning Coordinator for Fine Arts in Cobb County School District. He works with three Fine Arts Supervisors to support all K-12 Fine Arts teachers in the district. Prior to this role, Mr. Geocaris has taught music in a variety of settings and levels... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2G - Preparing for an AI-Infused Workplace (Upstairs - G)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more a part of our lives every day. This session will discuss how AI is changing jobs and the workplace and give you tips on using AI effectively at work.

Presentors

Bryan Cox

Research Associate II/Senior Research Fellow, Georgia Tech College of Computing

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Bryan Cox, Senior Research Fellow, underscores the critical importance of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy into K-12 education. Recently addressing Cobb County teachers at a STEAM academy workshop, Cox emphasized that AI literacy... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

2H - Own Your Future Like a BOSS (Upstairs - H)

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT

TBA

In this session we will be talking about career goals, life goals, and how CobbWorks can help you meet your goals after graduation.

Presentors

Sonya Grant

Executive Director, CobbWorks

Seasoned Chief Executive Officer with extensive experience leading in the government and nonprofit sectors, driving innovation at the intersection of human services, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Proven expertise in strategic planning, policy design, and program... Read More →

Ladonna Huggins

Youth Services Manager, CobbWorks

Pamela Johnson

WEX Coordinator, CobbWorks

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:35am EDT
TBA

Breakout 1

9:00am EDT

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