Emmy Award Winning Students

The Regional Southeast EMMY Chapter – dedicated to identifying and celebrating television excellence at the local and regional level of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – hosted its 2024 Student Production Awards. To goal is to recognize outstanding student achievement in production for those studying media and journalism and publicize outstanding
cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements by undergraduate college and high school students. The awards span various categories, from animation, graphics, and special effects to long-form fiction and documentaries.

This year, The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) secured the most wins at the 2024 Student Production Awards, with eight awards, followed by the University of South Carolina with five. For high schools, Catawba Ridge in Fort Mill, SC, showcased talent with an impressive six wins.

“We are proud of the hard work and creativity demonstrated by these students, and we look forward to seeing their future successes in the industry,” said Evelyn Mims, President of NATAS SE.

Willy’s Restaurants Work with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

Tech Exec Sarah Friar Joins Operation HOPE Global Board of Directors

Technology executive Sarah Friar has joined the Governing Board of Directors of Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy. An accomplished business leader, Friar previously served on the Operation HOPE Global Board of Advisors, bringing to the board finance, technology, and social impact expertise.

Most recently, Friar was chief executive officer of Nextdoor, the neighborhood network that connects neighborhood stakeholders, including neighbors, businesses, and public services, online and in real life to build stronger, more vibrant, and resilient neighborhoods. She helped take the company public in 2021 on the NYSE. During her five year tenure, Nextdoor nearly tripled to more than 88 million Verified Neighbors, reaching over 330,000 neighborhoods around the world.

The Operation HOPE Governing Board of Directors provides guidance and support for Operation HOPE in its commitment to provide financial literacy education and economic empowerment for individuals and small business owners living in under-served communities.

“Sarah Friar’s dedication to social responsibility aligns closely with the mission of Operation HOPE to empower individuals and communities through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity,” said Operation HOPE Chairman, Founder, and CEO John Hope Bryant.

Friar grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar. She holds an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and in 2019 was granted an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship.