×
Your location has been changed to Boston area.
2026 HEROES, SAINTS & LEGENDS GALA AND AWARDS TO CELEBRATE ATLANTA’S ESTEEMED LEADERS
The Foundation of Wesley Woods will host the 37th annual Heroes, Saints & Legends Gala on September 17, 2026, at Flourish by Legendary Events in Buckhead. The esteemed event and award ceremony draws over 400 guests annually to honor and pay tribute to notable Georgians who have enriched Atlanta's community through a lifetime of commitment to leadership, service, and philanthropy.
The 2026 honorees are:
Kathy N. Waller, Executive Director for the Atlanta Committee for Progress, retired Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, and President, Enabling Services. Waller is the founding chair of The Coca-Cola Company’s Women’s Leadership Council and is a board member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, The Woodruff Arts Center, Achieve Atlanta, CGI Group, Delta Airlines, among many others.
John W. Stephenson retired Executive Director of the J. Bulow Campbell Foundation and current Executive Director/Consultant for the Georgia Health Foundation. Stephenson has devoted his career to education and philanthropy, from administrative roles as Vice President of Development at Emory University to trustee and chair positions at notable foundations, including the Courts, Fraser-Parker, and Teague Family Foundations. His many civic engagements include Mission 1:27 and the Atlanta Youth Academy.
Since its debut in 1990, the Gala has celebrated 120 exemplary leaders and raised more than $9.1 million for the Foundation of Wesley Woods. These vital funds provide essential resources for over 1800 older adults living in Wesley Woods residential communities across North Georgia, enhancing their lives through charitable care, pastoral care, and innovative wellness programming.
Diane Vaughan, president of the Foundation for Wesley Woods, praised the honorees for their visionary leadership and enduring commitment to Atlanta. "Kathy Waller and John Stephenson exemplify what it means to serve with both vision and compassion. While their paths have been unique—Kathy leading in economic growth, inclusion and financial stewardship, John shaping philanthropy and education—their collective impact and dedication to uplift our Atlanta community and citizens is extraordinary,” said Vaughan.
Hosted by Emcee Monica Pearson, the evening promises an elegant welcome reception, dinner, musical entertainment, and performances, culminating in a heartfelt awards ceremony featuring videos and lively remarks with each honoree. Corporate sponsorships and individual tickets for the 2026 Gala are available now. We invite you to join us for the Heroes, Saints & Legends on Thursday, September 17, at Flourish by Legendary Events, located at 3143 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA. For more information about tickets, sponsorship, the 2026 honorees, and the Gala, please visit www.wesleywoods.org/heroes.
About Wesley Woods Senior Living: Imagined in 1954 by innovative leaders of the United Methodist Church and the greater Atlanta community, Wesley Woods is a mission-driven non-profit creating communities of connection, well-being, and promise for older adults. With ten senior living communities throughout North Georgia, we provide a range of care levels, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
The Foundation of Wesley Woods serves as the connection point between the generosity of community supporters and the practical, life-changing work of Wesley Woods. Donor support helps us achieve our mission by providing robust wellness programming, a compassionate pastoral care program, and charitable financial assistance for housing and meals, all of which enable residents to live independently longer, delaying or eliminating the need for them to move to higher, more restrictive, and more expensive levels of care.
Event Links
Booking: https://go.evvnt.com/3751201-0
