The Northern Star Board of Directors is composed of local community members who passionately support the mission of Northern Star, and who have committed to creating and overseeing a program that will aid young adults in becoming successful members of the community.

BOARD OFFICERS

MICHELLE STEVENS
Board Chair

DEIDRE TINSLEY
Secretary

DYLAN RICHARDS
Treasurer

BOARD MEMBERS

JENNIFER STAPLES

MARY ENRIQUEZ

DIANA VERDUZCO-ROPER

KIMBERLY MIHOK

AMY JEFFREY

MEET THE STAFF

MANDY WILLIAMS

mandywilliams@northernstarga.org
770-364-9319

Mandy is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Star Inc. The idea of a program to support and teach life skills to teenage youth came from Mandy’s teaching and counseling background along with her and her husband’s passion for fostering children. Mandy and her husband Larry have 4 children and have fostered 20 children over the past 8 years.

Northern Star became incorporated in December 2013, followed by the establishment of the board of directors and becoming a nonprofit in 2014, finding the perfect property in 2016 and opening the doors for the first participant in 2017.

Mandy’s vision for Northern Star has become a reality over the past four years and now each day the program is making a difference in the lives of youth aging out of foster care.

CODAH GUERRA

codahguerra@northernstarga.org

Codah joined the staff of Northern Star the beginning of 2018 after three consecutive internships while obtaining her Human Services Bachelor’s degree from UNG.  Her dedication and passion for Northern Star’s mission were evident after her asking to continue her internship after the first semester.

Codah serves as the Life Coach for Northern Star’s Independent Living Program. She enjoys meeting with youth weekly, planning and teaching life skills, building trust and relationships, and just taking the time to listen and get to know each of them.

Codah is local to Dahlonega and her and her husband look forward to supporting youth aging out of foster care in her hometown.

ALLISON LAYNE

alayne@northernstarga.org

Allison is in school full time to obtain her Master’s degree. She is excited to gain knowledge and experience in a new career field for her. Allison’s passion for young adults and their success makes her a huge asset to the staff at Northern Star.