Our Next Speaker

Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond; "Implementing City of Richmond Policy and Vision"

Odie Donald became CAO of Richmond in July 2025, bringing nearly two decades of executive-level experience in municipal government and a track record of leading high-impact local, state, and federally funded organizations and programs.  He is a two-time Georgia State University graduate with a BA in History and an MBA in Executive Management.

He came to Richmond after serving as Chief of Staff to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Previously, Donald served as City Administrator for both South Fulton and Augusta-Richmond County. In South Fulton, as the city's first City Manager, he built the local government from the ground up, eliminating a $25 million deficit, doubling revenues and delivering its inaugural strategic plan.

Donald is a recognized civic leader, having served as President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and on the Georgia Forward Board of Directors. In April of this year, he was named a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond.