Agenda Item
b. Approval of DeKalb Schools Foundation Board Member ~ Additional Name(s) ~ UPDATED 11.08.2023
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County School District Board of Education approve the DeKalb Schools Foundation board member(s) to the existing slate for the purpose of establishing the Foundation.
DeKalb Schools Foundation Board Member
Mr. Munir I. Meghjani - Founder & Partner, Momentum Consulting
Why: As stated in DeKalb Schools Foundation Bylaws approved by the BOE at the May, 2021 BOE meeting, Article Two, Section 2.2 - Board of Trustees. The Trustees shall consist of not less than [five (5)] nor more than [thirteen (13)] Trustees, one (1) of whom shall be the Superintendent of the District, and section 2.3 Manner of Appointment. The initial number of Trustees shall be set by the DeKalb County Board of Education, who shall also appoint the initial Trustees, other than the Superintendent.
Approval of the DeKalb Schools Foundation board member slate moves the foundation to the next step in the process towards completing formation of the Foundation.
Details: The purpose of the Foundation is to support the educational activities of the DeKalb County School District and its constituent schools, staff, current students, and graduates in pursuit of primary, secondary and post-secondary education, and to do within the law all things necessary and proper to accomplish the foregoing as contemplated by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-64.
The Foundation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes as such terms are defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE TWO, Board of Trustees 2.1 States Authority and Responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The direction and management of the affairs of the Foundation and the control and disposition of its properties and funds shall be vested in a Board of Trustees (the "Board"). All powers, duties, and functions of the Foundation conferred by the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or otherwise by law shall be exercised, performed, or controlled by the Board. The Board shall determine the Foundation's policies or changes thereto and shall actively prosecute its purposes and objectives and supervise the disbursement of its funds. The Board may adopt, by majority vote, such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and the business of the Foundation as it deems advisable and may delegate certain of its authority and responsibility to an executive committee as further provided herein. Under no circumstances, however, shall any actions be taken which are inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws, and the fundamental and basic purposes of the Foundation, as expressed in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.
In order to proceed, the DeKalb Schools Foundation must appoint its initial slate of board members.
Financial impact: No financial impact
Contact: Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Empowerment and Innovative Partnerships, 678.676.0218
Effective: Following approval of the slate of DeKalb Schools Foundation board members, the Foundation will move forward with completing establishment.
Status: Reviewed and approved by legal counsel
BIOGRAPHY:
A progressive thinker and a social and civic entrepreneur, Munir Meghjani has used his
professional experience and heavy community involvement to make connections and bring together
diverse groups in Atlanta and across the nation. A serial entrepreneur and commercial real estate
broker, he is also deeply involved in the nonprofit sector focused on arts, education, interfaith, and
justice. Munir sits on and chairs several boards throughout the region, often being the first and paving
the path for others. Munir’s desire to create sustainable solutions to fundamental societal problems has
led to his work in local and national politics. As an artist and creator, he uses his platform to spark
social justice conversations and inspire action. His passion and commitment to service are an evident
driving force in all his undertakings. Additionally, he has received several honors and awards for his
work both in the private and nonprofit sectors. His motivation comes from a mantra he adopted at an
early age: “I can’t do all the service the world needs, but the world needs all the service I can do.”
Munir graduated from Emory University in 2010 with a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Sociology
and Philosophy.
EXPERIENCE:
Momentum Consulting USA
Nonprofit and Community Organizations, Founder & Partner October 2022 – Present
▪ Work with nonprofit and community-based organizations to analyze critical opportunities for growth
▪ Design and facilitate impactful trainings to help solve organizational concerns
▪ Anayalze board, staff, and procedural structure to optimize for efficiency and effectiveness
▪ Provide activational sessions to reengage board members and reignite the passion and drive of staff
Sands Investment Group USA
Commercial and Investment Real Estate, Broker/Advisor February 2015 – Present
▪ Specialize in selling, buying, and investing in net lease and owner-user properties
▪ Collaborate with private and institutional investors nationally
▪ Facilitating high-value property transactions, while coordinating with various third-parties
▪ Lead a diverse team of brokers, agents, and staff from prospecting to the sale of properties nationwide
▪ Develop strategies to add value for small and mid-size business owners leveraging the real estate market
▪ Committed to serving historically underrepresented minorities as 50% of the team's client base
▪ Growing a team of young and new brokers across three states, with a focus on equity
Paycom Payroll & HR Services Southeast, USA
Transition & Implementation Specialist - Senior Level 3 August 2012 – September 2014
▪ Analyze client’s system requirements and additional functions needed to be fulfilled by Paycom
▪ Evaluate companies’ current structures and procedures in order to offer efficient and effective solutions
▪ Develop and conduct trainings for internal teams and clients in order to achieve the system's potential
▪ Find and solve errors, provide individualized analysis and innovative solutions to the development team
▪ Create and maintain detailed Project Plans ensuring all teams have clear communication and expectations
▪ Manage client relations, in various industries, to facilitate a successful transition and high retention
Meghjani 2
BOARDS AND LEADERSHIP:
Emory University Alumni Board USA & International
Board Member, Committee Chair, President 2015 – Present
Georgia State University’s RIALTO Center for the Arts Georgia, USA
Board Member, Vice Chair, Board Chair, Past Chair 2015 – Present
Inclusivv (Formerly Civic Dinners) Atlanta, Georgia
Advisor 2021-Present
Be The Ones Southeast, USA
Co-founder and Board member 2022 – Present
Atlanta Way 2.0 Atlanta, Georgia
Founding Board Member 2023 – Present
Leadership DeKalb DeKalb County, GA
Emerging Leaders, Leaders of DeKalb Best Class of 2017, 2019
Board Member 2017 – 2020
PAST BOARDS: The Walk: Little Amal, co-curator for Georgia; TEDx PonceyHighland, co-creator and
advisor; Senator Warnock and Senator Ossoff, Small Business and AAPI Campaign Committee; Interfaith
Community Initiatives, World Pilgram Leader; Asian American Advocacy Fund, Endorsement Committee;
Compassionate Atlanta; Oxford College Alumni Board; and Emory Development Board
PROJECTS AND PODCASTS:
▪ Comedy & Conversations | Complex conversations with a twist of humor; Co-creator/producer and host
▪ Atlanta Civic Collaboratory | A Social Rotating Credit Club; Co-creator/producer and host
▪ Real Tall Tales | Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories; Creator and co-producer/host
▪ Confused Caucus | Combating Political Confusion with Comedy; Creator, producer and co-host
▪ 2036: The Podcast | A Future With…; Host
▪ Donuts with Doug | The People of ATL; Creator and Executive producer
HONORS AND AWARDS:
▪ Emory Alumni Association | 40 Under Forty
▪ Islamic Speakers Bureau | 40 Under Forty
▪ CAIR GA | Trailblazer Award
▪ Leadership DeKalb | Class of 2019
▪ Emerging Leadership DeKalb | Inaugural Class of 2017
▪ Sands Investment Group | Pacesetter Award
▪ OPEN Atlanta Pitch Tank | First Place
▪ IPN Summit: Pitch Tank | Second Place
EDUCATION:
Emory University Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Sociology & Philosophy May 2010
Oxford College of Emory University Oxford, GA
Associates of Liberal Arts May 2008
LANGUAGES: Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati – Bilingual Verbal Proficiency