The Bainbridge- Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and First National Bank is pleased to present the 2018 Women in the Workforce Luncheon on April 25. Come and enjoy a catered lunch, receive door prizes and hear from a designated panel of four influential business women in our community. 

“These women while from different industries and professions will openly discuss the challenges and blessings of being a Woman in The Workforce,” said, Lorenda Smith, Vice President of Marketing & Retail of First National Bank. “Our goal is that participants will leave inspired, motivated and hopefully be encouraged as these women share their own struggle of conquering the workplace while maintaining a positive balance at home,” continued Smith.

The Women in the Workforce Luncheon on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm will be held at the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, 100 Boat Basin Circle. Cost is $10 per person and reservations can be made by calling Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce 229-246-4774 or online at www.bainbridgegachamber.com.

Dr. Lisa Martin is a native of Climax, Georgia and was a class of 2000 Graduate from Bainbridge High School. After graduation, she attended Bainbridge College and then Valdosta State University for a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.  She then graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a Doctor of Optometry in 2009. She returned to private practice in Bainbridge after graduation and joined the Memorial Hospital Team in 2010, where she currently practices at Bainbridge Ophthalmology. Lisa is married to Brent, also from Bainbridge, and is the mother to twin sons Brier and Braeden, and daughters Brynlee and Betton. Brent and Lisa are currently active Foster Parents for Decatur County DFCS.

Serving as foster parents, they have been happy to provide a loving home to little ones in need.  Her family attends Grace Church where they are involved in their children’s ministry program. In 2014, Lisa was chosen as a “Woman to Watch” for Bainbridge Living magazine. She enjoys giving back to the area through mentoring of students in college, BHS, and GCA. 

As a previous participant in the apprenticeship program through BHS, she understand how important mentoring can be to students and hope others will also return as future providers for our community. She is thankful to get to practice in a small town where she knows her patients and feels it is a privilege to be able to give care and to raise her family in her hometown of Bainbridge.

Mrs. Alesia Brinson is the owner and operator of New Vision Hair Salon for over 25 years. And the founder of the 1 On 1 Mentoring program where she serves as President of the board. The program works in conjunction with our local middle schools 5th – 8th grades to provide positive adult volunteers from the community for at risk students.

As an entrepreneur, it allows Alesia flexibility to be a part of various boards, and committees. She’s served on the Board of Directors at the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hospital Authority Board. She currently serves on the City of Bainbridge’s Convention Visitors Bureau ( CVB) Board. Decatur County School Foundation Board and several committees. She’s a proud recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow award. Alesia is married to Eddie, and they have 3 adult children, Faye, Thomas, and Valorie.

Mrs. Nichole Lee, FHP is a native of Bainbridge, Georgia and was a class of 1996 Graduate of Bainbridge High School. After graduation, she attended The University of Georgia for Pre-Nursing. She obtained her BSN from the Medical College of Georgia and her MS from Georgia State University.

Lee, a family nurse practitioners provides a first contact point for families and patients with health and wellness concerns. Lee has worked at Cairo Medical Care in Cairo, GA for the past 12 years and enjoys what she does. She and her husband Jason, have 2 children ages 10 and 8.

Dr. Crycynthia F. Gardner is the principal of Hutto Middle School. She is a native of Decatur County and a graduate of BHS class of 1987. She has 17 years in education where she has served in all positions from substitute to principal. She is passionate about education and strongly believes every child deserves a high quality education.

She began her post-secondary education at Bainbridge College; Bachelors from Albany State and went on to earn a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Prior to her career in education, Crycynthia was employed at two local industries: Thomas & Betts and American Yarns & Fibers. She is married to Pastor John Gardner, Sr. and together they have three sons: Carlos, Tyrone Jr, and John Jr., they are the proud grandparents of Carlos II.

The Women in the Workforce Luncheon theme is inspiringly “Mint to Be”.