Our Leadership

Carol Lewis | President & CEO

Carol F. Lewis became the second president of Communities In Schools of Georgia on August 1, 2014. Her first-ever involvement with Communities In Schools came as a volunteer and mentor to CIS students in 1989 in Troup County. She is skilled at many levels of the organization having served as a local board member, CIS executive director of an affiliate in her hometown of LaGrange, community development specialist and manager of Community Development in the state office and most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of CIS of Georgia. In her role as Vice President for Field Operations, Carol provided her staff with opportunities for growth and is proud of the expansion of the CIS Network in Georgia through numerous grants including PIRC, Compassion Capital Fund, Adolescent Family Life, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, and RIF. In her current role as the President, she helps lead the CIS of Georgia staff and local affiliates as they strengthen capacity to work in partnership with school districts to reduce the dropout rate among at-risk kids in Georgia.

A graduate of Mercer University, Carol is an avid volunteer and believes that in order to solve our many world problems we have to work to redirect resources to where they are most needed. Her dedication to community extends to scouting, where she works to make sure that scouting is available to those not traditionally involved with the program.

Carol enjoys giving back and has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a Steward and Scouting Ministry, a member of the Board of Directors of Maidee Smith Memorial Child Care Center and served as a member of LHS PTO and Band Boosters. She also serves as a role model advancement Chair for BSA Troop 316 and Assistant Cub Master to many young people.

Leyla Compani | Chief Philanthropy Officer

Leyla graduated from the Atlanta College of Art with a B.F.A. in Communication Design and obtained her Master of Public Health degree with a focus on health management and policy from Georgia State University.

She is passionate about her community, and serves on the board of Atlanta CASA as vice-chair and the Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission. Prior to her commitment to the non-profit sector, she was the owner and creative director of a design and marketing firm in Atlanta, and a foster parent for children with complex medical needs. 

A resident of Atlanta since 1994, Leyla lives in the Peoplestown community with her husband, dog, and cat.

Jayda Abernathy | Interim Chief Financial Officer

Jayda has a passion for working with nonprofits because it is service in action; and has dedicated 20 years of her career to working with nonprofits and helping them manage their accounting and financial reporting. She specializes in improving financial reporting to executive leadership and board of directors and creating systems that are efficient in daily accounting operations. 

Jayda is a graduate from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff with a major in Business Administration, and from the Emory Candler School of Theology. She believes life should always be about service to others.

Linda Kelley | Chief Administrative Officer

Linda Kelley has been with Communities In Schools since 1997, overseeing our network evaluation efforts and currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer.  Linda holds a Masters of Arts degree in Sociology and Applied Social Research from Tulane University, and Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Biology from Newcomb College at Tulane University in New Orleans. She has taught in both pre-school and university classrooms and enjoys helping communities and individuals look at data to improve programs. Her interest in applied research has led her to past roles as freelance social researcher, evaluator and tutor. Linda has been married to her husband for thirty-five years.

Paula Goodman | Chief Operating Officer

Paula Goodman has joined the Communities in Schools of Georgia as the Chief Operating Officer.  With over 20 years of strategic business development experience with roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Best Buy Stores, she will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. Paula’s strengths are in strategic business development, personnel management, and training program implementation.

As a former board member and inspired by the great work of the organization, Paula understands the importance of CIS to our communities and to the amazing kids we serve.

A military veteran, she holds a BS from Kansas State University and an MBA from Brenau University.  Paula resides in Atlanta GA with her family.

Leslie Myles | Chief Program Officer

Leslie embarked on her journey in education as a dedicated schoolteacher in North Carolina, laying the foundation for her passion for nurturing young minds. In 2003, Leslie’s path intersected with Communities In Schools of Atlanta(CISA), where she commenced her tenure as a site coordinator. Over the course of 18 enriching years, Leslie’s commitment to the organization has propelled her into the role of Chief Program Officer for Communities In Schools of Georgia.

Having been raised in a single-parent household for the majority of her upbringing, Leslie intimately grasps the challenges faced by single parents and recognizes the pivotal significance of parental involvement in shaping a child’s triumph. With a fervent aspiration to witness the success of every child, Leslie endeavors to ensure that each student is equipped with the necessary opportunities and resources essential for their growth and development into conscientious, contributing members of society.

 As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Leslie seamlessly intertwines her profound understanding of education and mental health within her work at CISGA. Her multifaceted expertise serves as a driving force behind her mission to empower her team thrive and realize their full potential. Leslie’s unwavering dedication to fostering success underscores her unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact in her work at CISGA.