Board Members
Liliana Brenner
President and Garden Tour Chair
Liliana has been involved with Johns Creek Beautification since 2018, serving on the Secret Garden Tour Committee and supporting the organization with technical and creative work for its website and online presence. She has also been active on local school boards, including Dolvin Elementary and Johns Creek High School, where she supported environmental initiatives and served as Vice President of Communications. Before moving to the United States in 2005, Liliana lived in Germany for several years. After settling in Johns Creek with her husband and three children, she became deeply involved in community service and environmental education. She works as an independent IT Project Manager and consultant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology.
Her volunteer work includes helping develop a hands on elementary science program for the Teaching Museum North and serving on the North Fulton Council PTA board as Vice President of Environmental Education and later as President.
Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Liliana and her husband enjoy traveling and hiking in the Georgia mountains with their two dogs.
Kelly Kennedy
Treasurer
Kelly has called Johns Creek home for over 20 years, where she lives with her husband Chris and their four children. She brings strong financial and business experience to the Johns Creek Beautification Board.
Kelly began her career at Deloitte & Touche, becoming a Certified Public Accountant and managing audit engagements across multiple industries. She later worked in business development at Cox Enterprises and held finance leadership roles at Vesta Corporation, focusing on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. During the COVID pandemic, she supported SnapNurse by helping manage the deployment of healthcare professionals. She currently works with Firm Financial Partners, supporting the Multi Family Office division and high net worth clients.
Kelly is deeply involved in the community and has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including Treasurer for several school and swim organizations, VP Parliamentarian for the Young Men’s Service League, and board and parish roles through Saint Brigid Catholic Church.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys tennis, pickleball, long walks, and spending time with her goldendoodle.
Zach Hahn
Secretary and Daffodils4Hope Chair
Zach Hahn is an award-winning sound designer, voiceover producer, and casting director with over 14 years of experience shaping the audio industry. As the founder of audio.expert, he has led sound design and voiceover production for Netflix, Beetlejuice 2, Hunger Games, Wicked, Elton John, Rihanna, and Walmart Realm. Recognized as the "Sound Designer of the Metaverse," his work has earned Telly and Webby Awards, an Emmy nomination, and a spot on the 2025 Oscar shortlist for groundbreaking sound production.Beyond audio, Zach is an advocate for the arts and an active leader in Johns Creek. He serves as Vice President of the Johns Creek Arts & Culture Board, a speaker at Voiceover Atlanta, and has spent four years as Architectural Chair for the largest community association in Johns Creek, overseeing design standards and beautification efforts. Passionate about blending creativity with community impact, Zach is excited to continue contributing to Johns Creek’s growth and charm.
Lynn L. Pennington
Past President and ArtSpot Chair
Lynn is the past president and Co-Chair of the ArtSpot Program at Johns Creek Beautification. She has been an active board member since 2019. Education has been the mainstay of Lynn’s career, with 40 plus years in the field. She’s held a number of professional positions including those with school districts and universities, and as an independent educational consultant. She recently retired as the executive director of the Student Support Team Association for Georgia Educators (SSTAGE), a non-profit professional association she helped create in 2007. Lynn has also served as the president of the Newtown Park Community Foundation and the Centennial High School Foundation for the Fine Arts. She chaired the Parks and Recreation study group for the Committee for Johns Creek. Currently, she is a board member of the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek and is a member of the Johns Creek Historical Society.
Mic (Michele) Bishop
Director
Mic Bishop is an accomplished freelance graphic designer with over 25 years of experience. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University, Mic aims to create captivating visual experiences. She made her mark in 2022 as a key member of the Secret Garden Committee, leading the redesign of the Secret Garden Logo and promotional materials for the highly regarded 2023 Secret Garden Tour. Mic’s artistic flair extends beyond her professional pursuits, with a lengthy history of volunteering with school organizations like the PTSA, and contributing her skills to crafting intricate costumes, hats, and set pieces for various school theater productions. When she's not designing, Mic enjoys gardening, tennis, yoga, and baking. Since 2002, Mic has been an active part of the Johns Creek community alongside her husband, two young adult children, and a Goldendoodle.
Deborah Branscomb
Director
Deborah Branscomb brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our organization, drawing on a diverse background that spans journalism, education, public service, and real estate. Currently a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty at their Avalon office in Johns Creek, Deborah has been serving the local community with her real estate expertise since 2022. Her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to community service and professional excellence.Deborah’s career began in journalism, where she served as a reporter for The Elberton Star and The Daily News, covering government news, police reports, and special features. Her early dedication to public service was later channeled into her role as a Special Assistant and Scheduler in the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, where she managed high-profile schedules, coordinated public engagements, and provided essential communication support.Beyond her professional life, Deborah has been an advocate and educator. She spent time teaching music to preschoolers and tutoring students in creative writing, sharing her passion for the arts and literacy. Her commitment to community education extended to her volunteer roles in local schools and her church, where she coordinated Sunday school programs and served as an Elementary Sunday School Coordinator.Deborah’s academic journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia and music studies at Stetson University. She has also led initiatives like organizing a chapter for the Equal Rights Amendment in Elberton, GA, and served as National Committeewoman for the Young Democrats of Georgia.With her extensive experience and deep-rooted dedication to service, Deborah is a valuable asset to our community’s mission.
Mina Dyson
Director
Mina brings a great amount of experience and commitment to community enhancement. With a decade-long career as a Realtor for Coldwell Banker, Mina possesses a keen understanding of the real estate landscape. Her expertise extends further to her five-year tenure at Ledford Landscape specializing in seasonal color designs.Mina's dedication to community service is exemplified through her roles as the Development Committee Chair for Peachtree Corners Triangle Green Space, where she contributed significantly to its growth. Having served as Vice President and President for Bellmere Garden Club since its inception around 1981, Mina brings a wealth of leadership experience. Her recent role as Committee Chair for the Johns Creek Beautification Secret Garden Tour in 2023 showcased her commitment to the board's programs.With a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, Mina's education in Journalism and Public Relations adds a unique dimension to her skill set. As a former member of the North Fulton Master Gardeners, she brings a rich background in gardening and landscaping.Having resided in Johns Creek for 36 years, Mina has witnessed the community's evolution and is acutely aware of the challenges posed by unregulated growth on the environment and the community's quality of life. As a proactive advocate for preserving the natural beauty of Johns Creek, Mina's dedication is evident in her role as a Board Member in the HOA River Club, serving as Landscape Chair for over two decades.Mina's skills encompass program development, landscaping, gardening, non-profit leadership, and special events. Her participation in the Johns Creek Beautification Board reflects her strong commitment to preserving the community's natural allure.
Ingrid Jacobs
Director
Ingrid Jacobs, brings a distinctive vision and passionate leadership to our community. Having recently relocated from Boston, Ingrid's fresh perspective is coupled with a deep commitment to enhancing the beauty of Johns Creek. Her journey began as a participant in the 2023 Johns Creek Secret Garden tour, offering her valuable insights into event planning processes and a keen understanding of local gardening dynamics.
Holding a Bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University with a major in Agricultural Business and a Master's degree from Xavier University with a major in Human Resource Development, Ingrid blends her academic background with hands-on experience.
Ingrid is dedicated to collaborative efforts with our board members, working together to elevate Johns Creek into an even more stunning place to live. With a sincere passion for fostering connections and cultivating deeper community relationships, she derives immense satisfaction from the awareness that her dedicated efforts contribute meaningfully to the ongoing beautification and enhancement of Johns Creek.
Michèle Morel
Director
Michèle has been serving on the Johns Creek Beautification board since 2017. She is a proud naturalized American from Montréal, QC, Canada. Following graduation from the Université de Montréal with a BSc in Nursing, she quickly advanced in Sales and Marketing positions focused on medical devices. After a successful international career of almost 30 years, it was time for a change. In 2001, Michèle completed the Georgia Master Gardener program. In 2002, she started her own successful Design and Build landscape business. Retiring in 2019, Michèle continues to volunteer as a Master Gardener, enjoys working in her own garden, and is very involved in the Johns Creek community. Traveling has become a priority; she likes to be out of her element… Africa, Egypt, the Rockies, Alaska - and coming up, India! Entertaining "her family of friends" is Michèle’s favorite pastime.
Debbie Oats
Director
Debbi is a Realtor for Keller Williams North Atlanta. From 2014 to 2016, she worked in banking, including roles at Integrity Bank and Community & Southern Bank. Debbi has a strong commitment to community service and has volunteered as PTA President, an Odyssey of the Mind coach, and with the Foster Care Support Foundation. Additionally, she has been actively involved with the Johns Creek Arts Center. Debbi's diverse background in real estate, banking, and volunteer work makes her a valuable asset to the Johns Creek Beautification Board.
Laila Panjwani
Director
Laila holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Georgia State University. She is self-employed and brings a deep commitment to community service and cultural understanding. Laila has volunteered with the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board, contributing her time and insight to support community programs and outreach efforts. She served on the board from 2014 to 2016 and returned in 2023 as an Articulation Ambassador, a role she holds today.
Through her academic background and volunteer work, Laila adds a thoughtful, people-centered perspective to the Johns Creek Beautification Board.
Lynn Canty
Director Emeritus
Julie Coco
Director Emeritus
Marilyn Davis
Director Emeritus
Cassandra Littlejohn
Director Emeritus
Jennifer Schau
Director Emeritus
Chuck Wilkinson
Director Emeritus
