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CONTACT US

Start:ME is a free small business training program that provides entrepreneurs the tools and connections necessary to build and grow successful businesses.
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CIARA MOKEME

NORTHWEST PROGRAM LEAD

Ciara manages and delivers the Northwest program. Fun fact: she has previously served as a Start:ME mentor in our Clarkston and Southside communities!

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COLIN POE

PROGRAM MANAGER

Colin, our Program Manager, recently joined the team after serving as a mentor. With a strong commitment to improving access to business resources in Atlanta, Colin believes that setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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ERIN IGLEHEART

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Erin manages Start:ME and engages other small business support organizations. Fun fact: she summited Mount Kilimanjaro. The view was pretty awesome.

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FRAN CARROLL

SOUTHSIDE COORDINATOR + NEXTGEN LEAD

Fran manages the Southside program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programming. Fun fact: she is a two-time graduate of Georgia State University - go Panthers!

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KAREEM HALL

EAST LAKE + SOUTHSIDE PROGRAM LEAD

Kareem manages and delivers the East Lake and Southside accelerator program. Fun fact: he is a world class baby toy assembler.

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MARIA PECK

CLARKSTON PROGRAM LEAD

Maria manages and delivers the Clarkston accelerator program. Fun fact: she was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia in 2021.

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MAUREEN SANCHEZ

NORTHWEST COORDINATOR

Maureen Sanchez is the Start:ME Northwest Coordinator. Maureen is the Director of Community Engagement at Grove Park Renewal. She has over a decade of community development and outreach experience living and working in the Historic Westside of Atlanta, focusing on health and wellness, faith, child-care, drug rehabilitation, and poverty alleviation.

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MERCEDES UZUEGBUNAM

EAST LAKE COORDINATOR + ALUMNI PROGRAM LEAD

Mercedes manages the East Lake program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programming. Fun fact: she loves to travel - Mercedes has backpacked to 12 countries, 20 states, and Puerto Rico. Including biking from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Ghent, Belgium.

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MILDRED MEZA

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Mildred manages Start:ME marketing and program operations. Fun fact: she drove a cross-country road trip from Atlanta to Northern California, the landscapes along the way made the trip worth it!

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SUSHMA BARAKOTI

CLARKSTON COORDINATOR

Sushma manages the Clarkston program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programming. Fun fact: she is also a Start:ME alum and actively working her business, Sunavworld.

OUR TEAM

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