Co-owner and President of Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company
 

 

In a world full of challenges sometimes what we need most is to know that our peers face the same problems we do. This breakfast series is geared at letting you take a peek behind the curtain, and see that we all have a story that can inspire others.

We’d like to introduce you to our 2024 speakers!

 

Title Sponsor

Liberty Federal Credit Union

  • March 5 – Attica Scott, Director of Special Projects at Forward Justice Action Network (FJAN) and former Kentucky State Representative 
    • Honorable Attica Scott is deeply rooted in building healthy and safe communities. You can count on Attica being the leader that our communities need. She shows up, speaks out and stands with people who are intentionally ignored. Attica is the Director of Special Projects at Forward Justice Action Network (FJAN), a 501c4 organization that supports laws and public policies that advance economic, racial, and social justice in the US South. FJAN serves as a strategic partner for coalitions, networks, and nonprofits at the forefront of movements organizing for a more equitable, free, and just South. Attica worked for nearly a decade as an Action Learning Coach at County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Attica also served for nearly a decade as the Coordinator of Kentucky Jobs with Justice. She served for three terms (2017-2022) as a State Representative and in 2022 was the only democratic woman in Kentucky to run for the US House of Representatives. During her tenure as a State Representative, she sponsored legislation related to maternal health, universal basic income, police accountability, student journalist freedom of the press, racism as a public health crisis, and expanding the teaching of Black and Indigenous history in public schools.

       

    •  June 4 – Dawn Urrutia, Co-owner and President of Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company

    • Dawn Urrutia is the co-owner and President of Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company with her husband, Deyago Urrutia. They have been married for over 20 years. Dawn and Deyago have an amazing son named Demetri. The mission of the company is to provide free books to children that promote love, diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. A portion of the proceeds from Georgia’s, go towards buying books to give to families and children. To date, Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company has given away over 4,000 books to children throughout the country. Dawn has always had a passion for helping children. She has worked for 25+ years as an early childhood specialist. While having a successful career in early childhood, Dawn knew something was missing. Dawn decided to follow her soul’s calling and started Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company seven years ago.

  • August 27 – Jill Wright, Assistant to the President at Mercy Academy and a national presenter for Down Syndrome of Louisville
    • Jill Wright is a successful 23 year old college student and is employed by Mercy Academy, a local high school. Jill began working under the direction of Amanda Simmons in the Theatre Department in 2019. This year, she expanded her duties at Mercy by becoming the Assistant to the President.
      In June of 2023, Jill was one of the Presenters at the National Down Syndrome Convention in Orlando, FL. She taught self-advocates with Down syndrome confidence building exercises using theatre games. In 2022, Jill’s beauty graced the cover of The Jeffersontown Magazine. They featured a story about her great life, especially her volunteerism. In 2020, Jill was honored with the “Citizen of the Year” award from Down Syndrome of Louisville.

  • December 10 – Whitney Austin, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Whitney Strong. 
    • Whitney, a survivor of a mass shooting in Cincinnati, founded Whitney/Strong with her husband to end gun violence through common ground, responsible gun ownership solutions. Under her leadership, the organization has executed several initiatives such as securing the first hearing on gun safety legislation in Frankfort in over a decade, distributing over 12,000 gun locks, training over 1800 people in neighborhoods impacted by gun violence, and lobbying for the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first piece of federal gun safety legislation in 28 years. Whitney was previously a VP at Fifth Third Bank for 15 years, where she launched the first omnichannel digital lending application. She resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with her family, and enjoys traveling, musical theater, and outdoor activities.

All events are held in-person from 8:30 – 10:00 AM at the The Arterburn located at 310 Ten Pin Ln. St. Matthews, KY 40207.

We have the following sponsorship opportunities available. If you’re interested reach out to AmandaH@stmatthewschamber.com.