An icon of Atlanta business and one of the “must-know” movers and shakers in the world of philanthropy is moving on.
After 30 years at Coca-Cola, the Atlanta-based beverage giant announced Tuesday that Ingrid Saunders Jones, chairwoman of the Coca-Cola Foundation and senior vice president of the company’s Global Community Connections, will retire June 1.
“Over the past 30 years, I have been grateful to work for a company that commits the talent and time of its employees and its philanthropic dollars to issues and organizations that empower and enhance the lives of others,” Jones said in a release.
Former Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders will succeed Jones on May 1.
“I’m sure going to miss her,” Alicia Philipp, president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, said. “What an incredible difference she has made in this community. She’s so sound in her advice and so wise in how she approaches things.”
Former Mayor Shirley Franklin, calling Jones “the real thing,” said, “Ingrid’s contributions to Atlanta, Georgia and beyond have been stellar and effective. She’s reached out as an ambassador and friend to many civic and business leaders across every spectrum of society, listening and acting as an agent for common good all while representing a great company.”
Over her career, the former school teacher from Detroit has been chairwoman of several organizations, including the United Way of Metro Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center and the National Black Arts Festival. She is on the board of Clark Atlanta University, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and Girl Scouts of the USA.
Said Coca-Cola Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Muhtar Kent, “Ingrid’s contributions to our company and to the communities we serve worldwide cannot be overstated. Simply put, she has been the heart and soul of Coca-Cola in the community for three decades.”
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