Elizabeth Wilson

Executive Director (GMEN)

Elizabeth holds leadership positions in both communities, and economic and faith-based institutions. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network, the statewide organization of over 8,000 micro, small, and agribusinesses. She also serves as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Church of God in Christ Urban Initiatives, serving over 12,000 congregations. Elizabeth has developed business training curriculum for the under-served, including curriculum for individuals with disabilities, women, African Americans, youth, and most recently for incarcerated and returning citizens interested in starting businesses. She has written several books including “When Life Gives You Lemons, Open a Lemonade Stand”, “Young Gifted and Entrepreneurs and “Growing up COGIC”.

Sonya Bates

Executive Project Director (GMEN)

Sonya Toomer is the Executive Project Director for various Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) initiatives, including the Southeast Association of Micro Enterprises (SAME), GMEN Women Entrepreneurial Course, TAP2GMEN Technical Assistance, IBM Skillbuilder Resource Trainings, the digital platform training Empower by GoDaddy and Lead for GMEN’s newest MicroLoan Fund of $500,000. She has built a 20+ years career in the IT field, Administrative, Project Management and Entrepreneurial Training while managing over $400,000 for Technical Assistance support and collaborative support for GA HUB officer managing $2.5MM in Small Business Administration (SBA). Sonya has a strong passion for the community, especially women, children and their families. Giving financial growth, stronger digital footprints, and entrepreneurial training opportunities to more than 1,000 local businesses impacted by the Pandemic since 2020.

Nicole Arsenault

Program Manager (GMEN)

Nikki Arsenault currently serves as a Program Manager for the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) where she has worked for over 9 years. Nikki is a graduate of Wheaton College MA where she majored in Cultural Anthropology and minored in Education and French. Her areas of expertise include program management, grant writing and technical assistance. Nikki is passionate about serving underserved populations and is proud to lead GMEN’s initiatives for Returning Citizens. In her free time, Nikki enjoys cooking and spending time with her chihuahua Coco.

Angela R Walton

NAV-GA Hub Officer (GMEN)

Angela R. Walton serves as the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) Hub Officer for the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network. Affectionately branded as NAV-GA, Angela is responsible for managing $2.5MM in Small Business Administration (SBA) funds and leading 7 trusted partner organizations around the State of Georgia charged with providing expert technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs and small business owners. Before her position with GMEN, she managed over $20MM in federal and private funds as the Senior Grants Housing Manager at Must Ministries. She is a native Atlantan who is happy to be serving entrepreneurs again as she did in 2016 through the historic Affordable Care Act providing healthcare access to small business owners through GMEN’s partnership with the Georgia Department of Health & Safety during the Obama Administration.

Jaitee

Empower by GoDaddy Instructor

From his conversations, workshops, and keynote speeches, Jaitee is head of his class as an innovative revolutionary millennial blending down-home humor, ageold wit, and the swagger of the present age. Jaitee is the creative genesis of Justraw Creatives, a nexus for providing strategy and design for startups and small businesses. This boutique creative digital brand agency is the parent company of two growing brands: Worship Grind Sleep Repeat and the Church Collection. Jaitee is also a published author of Wake Up! Be Inspired! A 30-day journey of inspiration

Shenae Holmes

Empower by GoDaddy Instructor

Shenae Holmes currently serves in education where she has worked for 13 years. Shenae is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South. Her areas of expertise include community service, technical support, and web design. In Shenae's spare time she enjoys traveling, reading, and the art of film.

Why Empower

GoDaddy created Empower, a community philanthropic program, to rally behind entrepreneurs in underserved communities to succeed at every stage of their journey. Empower by GoDaddy has expanded into 40 cities in the U.S. and 3 cities in Europe. GoDaddy partners with trusted local community organizations to adopt the program for local needs.

GoDaddy believes that inclusive entrepreneurship fuels local economies across the globe and ultimately improves lives. GoDaddy believes that anyone, no matter age, race, gender or socio-economic background, should have the opportunity to grow their business.