Meet Our Director

Deacon Lesley-Ann Drake, Executive Director, began working full-time for Path To Shine in January 2011. Lesley-Ann worked for American Express Travel for 19 years in a variety of management positions. During that time she was highly involved with the Georgia meeting planning trade association, sitting on the Board for three years, and co-chairing their annual fundraiser to benefit the Atlanta Food Bank. She was the 1996 recipient of the Hayward C. Cox Award for her contributions to the organization. ​Lesley-Ann's extensive personal, professional, and ministry-related contacts enabled her to start Path To Shine in 2010, relying on donations of time, space, and goods. In 2011 she worked with a colleague to start Path To Shine in Macon, and 2012 saw the beginning of Path To Shine at San Benedicto in Smyrna. Thanks to a grant from the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation, she completed the LEAD program where she learned additional skills to successfully lead a non-profit organization. Ordained a permanent deacon in the Episcopal Church in 2011, Lesley-Ann is currently assigned to St. Aidan's in Milton. She is an Associate at Green Bough House of Prayer. She is married and has 2 daughters. Lesley-Ann looks forward to sharing this effective and adaptable model for Path To Shine with others, thus spreading the opportunities of inspiring more children to achieve hope-filled dreams. Contact: Lesley-Ann Drake 678.279.4308