Rotary Club of Atlanta hires new executive director

Gina Simpson in Honduras on the annual Atlanta Rotary trip to build schools. (Credit: The Rotary Club of Atlanta)

Gina Simpson in Honduras on the annual Atlanta Rotary trip to build schools. (Credit: The Rotary Club of Atlanta)

The Rotary Club of Atlanta named Gina Simpson their executive director replacing longtime leader Linda Thomason Glass, the club’s board of directors announced Tuesday in a news release. Glass led the organization for the past 20 years. Simpson will begin her new role July 13.

“Throughout our executive search process, Gina demonstrated just how closely her leadership experiences and approach to public service matched with the club’s aspirations for greater engagement in the major issues affecting our region,” said John O’Neill, chair of the Rotary Club of Atlanta’s board of directors.

Simpson previously served as president and CEO of Hands on Atlanta, the city’s leading community-based volunteer service organization. More recently, Simpson spent the past three years as deputy commissioner of Alabama’s Department of Human Resources, according to the release.

“I am genuinely excited by the opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of leaders, many of whom I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with before,” Simpson said in the news release. “It will be a distinct pleasure to work with such a strong group, especially as the club explores new opportunities for community engagement and impact.”

Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville State University, a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School.

Established in 1913, the Rotary Club of Atlanta has grown to be one of the most influential business and civic clubs in the world. The club’s membership primarily consists of CEOs, managing partners, and executive directors. The Rotary Club is the largest civic organization in the world with 1.2 million members and 36,000 clubs globally.

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