Media release from the Heart of the Community Foundation:
Shannon Kennedy-Newby, a native of Bay City, Michigan, has been appointed chairperson of the 2025-2026 Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors.
Shannon and her husband own Newby Farm + Vineyard in Rome. Shannon is a graduate of Emory University and has made Rome her home since 2012. Shannon is the advisory chair and most recent past-president of the Rome Junior Service League and serves on the boards of the Family Resource Center, the Georgia Wine Producers, and the Three Rivers Swim Club. She also serves as a partner with many other local community organizations. Maintaining a consistent daily practice, and teaching for over two decades, Shannon provides yoga instruction to private clients at Springstone Yoga Studio and The Vine Yoga.
The mission of the Heart of the Community Foundation is to recognize individuals in Rome and Floyd County for their outstanding community service. Recipients of these annual awards are honored at a black-tie gala presented by AdventHealth Redmond and the Heart of the Community Foundation, Inc. The 40th annual event will be held on February 28, 2026.
The Heart of the Community Foundation also supports local community agency projects with heart-health and humanitarian missions. Previously funded projects have included the Wanda J. Whitten Heart House for families of critically ill patients on the AdventHealth Redmond campus, AED units in public facilities in Rome, a fitness course at Ridge Ferry Park, fitness equipment at the Thornton Center, swimming scholarships at the YMCA, exercise equipment for Summit Quest, and grants to various humanitarian and heart related agencies in Rome and Floyd County.
Additional members of the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors include: Heath Rogers, Chair-Elect; Eric Collins, Secretary; Sara Molnar, Treasurer; Brooks Mathis, Immediate Past Chair; Ali Freeman; Brad Gilmore; Ella Givens; Courtnay Griffin; Jake Hager; Heath Hooper; Ciara McKnight; Carey Pilgrim; Mimi Richards; William Richardson; Michele Rikard; Kelly Sanker; Courtney Shepard; Lauren Sklar; Dwight Stout; Rika Meyer, ex-officio; and Andrea Pitts, liaison.