The institute generates research insights that it employs in its teaching and programmatic work on critical challenges that businesses and their stakeholders can address together.

Business & Society Institute
We addresses complex challenges confronting people and the planet through academic discovery and purposeful action.
Business & Society Institute
Business & Society Working Together
Our Work & Focus Areas
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Research
We deliver interdisciplinary research that explores connections between business practices, market structures, and social outcomes. -
Teaching
We develop next generation business leaders equipped with systems thinking and problem solving skills through coursework and hands-on experiences. -
Convening
We create spaces for dialogue, debate, and solutions through community events, practitioner conferences, and other activities. -
Programs
We put research into action through innovative programs that create better markets and stronger communities both here in Atlanta and globally. -
Thought Leadership
We create and share content that challenges narratives and inspires action including books, articles, op-eds, and more.
Priority Focus Areas
Equitable Workplaces & Communities
Building on our DEI academic concentration and experiential learning opportunities, we strive to cultivate business leaders committed to equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities.

Priority Focus Areas
Climate-Smart Leaders & Organizations
Leveraging research and integrating climate topics into our curriculum, we aim to develop climate-smart leaders ready to implement net zero strategies across all sectors

Priority Focus Areas
Inclusive & Thriving Economies
By supporting microentrepreneurs and engaging in community-based programs, we work to close income and wealth gaps, make markets more inclusive, and create opportunities for communities to flourish.

Faculty

Associate Professor of Organization & Management; Faculty Advisor, Business & Society Institute



Associate Professor of Organization & Management; Executive Academic Director, Business & Society Institute

Professor of Organization & Management; Academic Director of Specialty Coffee Programs, Business & Society Institute

Professor in the Practice of Marketing; Academic Director of Education, Business & Society Institute
Our Team
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Sushma Barakoti
Sushma is a Community Coordinator for Start:ME serving as the local touchpoint for entrepreneurs in and around Clarkston. She is also the Executive Director of Refugee Women's Network in Atlanta, a local coalition partner organization of Start ME Clarkston. Sushma is the founder and owner of Sunavworld, a social enterprise that promotes fairtrade products made by women in Nepal and the US. -
Fran Carroll
Fran Carroll is the Start:ME Southside community coordinator, serving as a local touchpoint for entrepreneurs in Atlanta’s Southside. She is also the Director of Operations and Finance at International Community School in Decatur, GA and was a participant in Start:ME’s inaugural Southside Cohort in 2018. Fran loves entrepreneurship and has launched three ventures - Lay-ette; 9:90 Collective; and She Can, She Will Mom – as well as a movement with her "partner in activism” called #tinyactivistsatl. -
Brian Goebel
Brian oversees the Institute's collection of innovative fieldwork programs, student activities, along with internal operations and stakeholder partnerships. He also serves as a co-instructor for two courses (Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy Lab). Brian studied sociology at the University of Michigan (BA) and received his MBA from the Goizueta Business School. -
Kareem Hall
Kareem manages and delivers the Start:ME East Lake and Southside accelerator programs. He is a fellow entrepreneur with his own strategy and qualitative research consultancy, K Hall Consulting. He also owns a children's soccer franchise with his wife, Erika. Kareem is the proud father of a daughter (Eila) and son (Kingston). -
Erin Igleheart
Erin strengthens Atlanta area communities through micro-entrepreneur development as the leader of the Start:ME Program. Prior to joining Goizueta, Erin worked in finance and consulting. She has a Masters in International Policy from Stanford University and a Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Virginia. -
David Kyle
Following his 20 year international career with Citibank, David Kyle has spent the past 15 years in the social enterprise industry on both the impact investing side with Acumen Fund and Calvert Foundation as well as building companies as an entrepreneur and advisor. Both here at Goizueta and in partnership with social impact organizations worldwide, David coaches and develops the next generation of social enterprise leaders. -
Randy Martin
Randy is a co-instructor for Social Impact Management. Building on this long career in management consulting at Deloitte, he provides consulting and executive coaching services to non-profit, charitable and social enterprise leaders through his own consultancy, Randall Martin LLC. Randy serves on a number of nonprofit boards including CDF and Global Growers. He has a BA in sociology from Georgetown and Masters and PhD in sociology from Harvard University. -
Mildred Meza
Mildred is the Program Associate at Start:ME. She recently graduated from Agnes Scott College, she studied Business Management and Public Health and obtained a Specialization in Leadership Development. She has a heartfelt commitment to supporting underserved communities, and strives to create a positive and lasting impact in the community. -
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Sam Moss
After a 20+ year career at Wachovia in International and Corporate Finance, Sam Moss joined Gray Ghost Ventures and Gray Matters Capital which were actively involved in microfinance and social impact investing. He continues to be very involved in philanthropic, social enterprise, social impact investing as a staff member of the CF Foundation and also as an advisor and mentor. Both here at Goizueta and in partnership with social impact organizations across Atlanta, Sam coaches and develops the next generation of social enterprise leaders. -
Mayte Peck
Mayte manages and delivers the Start:ME Clarkston accelerator program. The daughter of a serial entrepreneur, Maria's first venture honored the Peruvian food of her childhood: Sweet Devil Moon tapas bar. Maria has made it her life's mission to educate and prepare women and minorities for access to capital; she works tirelessly on community outreach initiatives, coaching, financial education programs, one on one business consulting, and lending. -
Colin Poe
Colin is the Program Manager for Start:ME. He leverages his stakeholder management & engagement, project management, and strategic planning skills to ensure small businesses and a startups in Atlanta thrive. Colin has a Bachelors in Arts in Journalism, Public Relations and Marketing from Georgia State University (GSU). -
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Natalie Rivas
Natalie is a lifelong coffee lover and connoisseur, qualities that suit her well as the Program Associate for the Specialty Coffee Programs. She possesses an unwavering commitment to bolstering Hispanic communities in any way she can, dedicating her undergraduate years to help advance both health and educational equity through her various initiatives. Recently graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with Bachelor’s in both Public Health Studies and Economics, Natalie continues her efforts by applying her passion and knowledge to champion equity within the LATAM coffee industry. -
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Tené Traylor
Tené serves as co-instructor for Philanthropy Lab. She is vice president for nonprofits and philanthropy at the Urban Institute. Tené brings national expertise in place-based philanthropy, equity, and civic leadership, particularly in the South, where she has honed a distinguished career in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. She has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Georgia State University.
Give to Business & Society
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Business & Society Institute Expansion
Support the Institute and student development activities -
Start:ME
Help more promising Atlanta businesses start and grow -
Grounds for Empowerment
Make coffee markets work for women -
Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide (SCTG)
Support the publication of SCTG