Georgia Chamber Convenes Business and Community Leaders at 2026 Economic Inclusion Summit
Thursday, November 12th, 2026
From left to right: Derrick Plummer, Director, Customer Resolutions and Recovery, Intuit; Jeannie Ross, Director of Workforce Development, City of Refuge; Allan Adams, State Director, UGA Small Business Development Center; and Burt Fealing, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Southwire Company.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce convened business executives, workforce development professionals, healthcare leaders, and community partners at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park for its 2026 Economic Inclusion Summit. The event focused on strengthening Georgia's workforce, expanding economic opportunity, and fostering a more competitive business environment across the state.
Throughout the summit, attendees explored strategies to address Georgia's evolving workforce needs, support small business growth, prepare businesses and workers for emerging technologies, and strengthen the connection between healthcare and economic prosperity. The full list of speakers, panelists, and moderators can be found below.
Tasha Allen, Vice President of People and Corporate Citizenship, Georgia Chamber, said:
“When creating the content for this event, my goal was to move beyond conversations about economic inclusion and focus on real opportunities that strengthen Georgia’s workforce, businesses, and communities. I wanted to bring together diverse perspectives, highlight innovative solutions, and encourage meaningful collaboration. Economic inclusion is about creating pathways for people and businesses to thrive. When more Georgians have the opportunity to succeed, our entire state benefits.”
Concluding the event was a keynote address from Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, whose leadership in healthcare, medical education, and health equity has helped advance conversations around building healthier communities. Her address underscored the importance of strengthening the connection between community health, workforce readiness, and long-term economic opportunity.
Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine, said:
“Georgia’s health is Georgia’s wealth, and we cannot achieve true economic inclusion without recognizing that access to quality healthcare, workforce development and economic opportunity are inextricably linked. At Morehouse School of Medicine, we are committed to advancing health equity by expanding access to care, developing the next generation of healthcare professionals and building pathways to economic mobility that strengthen communities and ensure every Georgian has the opportunity to thrive.”
The summit reinforced the Georgia Chamber's commitment to bringing together leaders across industries to advance solutions that support businesses, strengthen communities, and ensure Georgia remains a leading state for economic growth and opportunity.
Photo previews can be found here. Recordings of the 2026 Economic Inclusion Summit will be available shortly on the Georgia Chamber’s YouTube channel.
For more information about the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and its upcoming events, visit gachamber.com.
2026 Economic Inclusion Agenda:
Opening Remarks
Tasha Allen, Vice President of People and Corporate Citizenship, Georgia Chamber
Talent for Growth: Strengthening Georgia's Workforce and Small Business
Jeannie Ross, Director of Workforce Development, City of Refuge
Allan Adams, State Director, UGA Small Business Development Center
Burt Fealing, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Southwire Company
Moderator: Derrick Plummer, Director, Customer Resolutions and Recovery, Intuit
Preparing Businesses and Workers for AI
Kali Alford, Sr. AI Workforce Specialist, Microsoft Public Sectors
Codeye J. Woody, DPL (CELA), State Government Affairs Director, Microsoft Public Sectors
Building a Healthier Workforce and Economy
Tuqwan Jordan, Director of Talent Acquisition, Wellstar Health System
Marlo Vernon PhD, Associate Professor & Director of Center for Rural Health, Augusta University
Christy Dinkins, Director of Campus and Community Partnerships, PCOM
Moderator: Le Joyce Naylor, SVP and Chief Culture and Team Member Experience Officer, Wellstar Health System, and Chair, Economic Inclusion Council, Georgia Chamber
Keynote Speaker
Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine
Closing Remarks
Chris Clark, President and CEO, Georgia Chamber
