Maritza Pichon

The Executive Director of the Latin American Association (LAA), was awarded the 2006 "Excellence in Leadership Award" from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) for her "exceptional leadership in empowering the Latino community." Tisha Tallman, Southeast Regional Counsel of MALDEF in Atlanta, commented, "On behalf of MALDEF, I am delighted to honor Maritza with this prestigious award for her leadership, strength and courage in serving Georgia's Latino community. Under Maritza's leadership, the LAA, the oldest and largest Georgia Latino direct services organization, has served our Latino immigrant community well, providing services to assist them with life's essential needs."

The Georgia Partnership's Board of Directors is comprised of professionals from many different fields but all are united in a common goal: raising student achievement in Georgia. We are grateful for their governance and service and especially proud when they are recognized for individual achievement. Here is just a sample of some of their past honors and accolades:

VOICES Award Winners

Four of the seven honorees at the first annual VOICES for Georgia’s Children “Big Voice” awards dinner have strong Georgia Partnership ties. U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, a current Partnership Board member; Tom Upchurch, past president of the Partnership; Mel Kruger, CEO, L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc., Macon, current board member and one of the Partnership’s founding members in 1990; and Otis Johnson, current Savannah mayor and Board member, were all honored for their tireless efforts on behalf of making children a priority in Georgia.