BoardWalk Consulting Assists Downtown Atlanta with CEO Search

September 23, 2026 – BoardWalk Consulting has recruited Kyle Waide as the new CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc. (DAI) to lead in its search for a CEO. The search was led by Sam Pettway, Crystal Stephens, and Patti Kish. The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of CAP and former board chair. “As chair of the search committee, I knew we had a significant responsibility: finding the right leader to follow someone with AJ’s experience and legacy,” Mr. Perry said. “But when we met Kyle, we saw his vision and his plans for Downtown Atlanta.  It became clear that Kyle is the right person at the right time to lead Downtown Atlanta Inc.”

“I look forward to working with Kyle Waide at Downtown Atlanta Inc. as we build on the tremendous momentum we are seeing across Downtown,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “With gratitude for AJ’s many years of service, we welcome a new leader who can carry that growth and excitement forward. As I’ve been saying, downtown is back!”

Mr. Waide currently serves as president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. He joined the organization in 2012 and became its president and CEO in 2015, succeeding founder Bill Bolling. Under his leadership, the non-profit quadrupled its annual food distribution and moved into a 345,000-square-foot facility in East Point, building one of the country’s largest food bank operations.

“I love both the city we are today and the city I believe we can become,” Mr. Waide said. “Downtown is central to Atlanta’s identity and the face we present to the world. This is a moment of great possibility, and I am humbled by the opportunity to build on AJ Robinson’s extraordinary legacy, and the work Downtown Atlanta Inc. has already accomplished.”

Downtown Atlanta Inc. is the new public-facing identity for two established organizations, Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, and their related civic and place-based efforts. Together, these entities serve as the chief advocate, convener, steward and champion for Downtown Atlanta.

BoardWalk Consulting, based in Atlanta, is a national executive search firm that recruits CEOs and senior leadership for mission-driven non-profit organizations. Founded in 2002, the firm leads executive searches for clients from across the non-profit sector with global, national, regional, and local missions. Many of the firm’s team members have previously served as non-profit executives, grant makers, and board leaders. BoardWalk Consulting is also an active partner in Panorama, the global network of independent executive search firms.

30-Year Search Veteran

BoardWalk Consulting was founded by Mr. Pettway, a 30-year search veteran. Over his career in executive search, he has worked with hundreds of board members and leadership teams with entities ranging from start-ups to mature multinationals in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. Since founding BoardWalk in 2002, Mr. Pettway has served clients as varied as international relief agencies, national foundations, regional trade associations, and local agencies in dozens of markets.

BoardWalk Consulting Selected by Atlanta Ballet for Executive Director Search

BoardWalk Consulting was recently tapped by Atlanta Ballet to lead in its search for an executive director. The executive director will lead Atlanta Ballet’s administrative and business functions in alignment with the organization’s mission and values, while partnering closely with the artistic director and board of trustees. This next lead will guide the institution through a pivotal period of renewal, ensuring alignment between mission, strategy, resources, and long-term vision, particularly as the organization approaches its Centennial. They will lead the organization toward long-term financial stability through disciplined planning, budgeting, forecasting, and revenue strategy, with an emphasis on diversified funding sources.

Ms. Stephens is managing director and CEO. Over the past 13 years, Ms. Stephens has led many of the firm’s most complex and high-profile searches, earning the trust of such national organizations as Earthjustice, ACLU, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Trust for Public Land, and Year Up United. Her impact in Atlanta is evidenced in the leadership of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Gateway Center, and the Betty & Davis Fitzgerald Foundation. Ms. Stephens joined BoardWalk in 2012, bringing extensive sales, marketing, and recruiting experience with top-tier organizations such as IBM.

Ms. Kish, director of research, works closely with search consultants to develop and implement research strategies and proactively recruit senior level executives into non-profit leadership roles. Prior to joining BoardWalk Consulting in 2015, she led full life-cycle talent acquisition for a national search firm that specialized in C-suite executive search for consumer products organizations. She began her career with EDS (now HP) where she spent several years managing the entire talent acquisition organization for the southeast region. A career recruiter, Ms. Kish has placed CEOs, presidents, executive directors, and CFOs for organizations with national and global impact.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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