Vahnesa Jourdan - 2026 Support Professional of the Year
(Left-right: Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Gonzalo La Cava; Support Professional of the Year Vahnesa Jourdan; Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Eric Hollinhead; Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney; Chief Strategy & Technology Officer Dr. Joe Phillips; District 5 Board President Kristin McCabe; and District 7 Board Member Dr. Michelle Morancie.)
Vahnesa Jourdan, a Human Resources (HR) Specialist 1, has made a significant impact in her three years with Fulton County Schools (FCS). She has been awarded the Central Office Support Professional of the Year (SPOTY) for her dedication, professionalism, and exemplary service.
Vahnesa manages high-volume, high-stakes HR processes including fingerprinting, background checks, employment verifications and labor law signage compliance with precision, efficiency, and a strong customer service orientation, adding operational impact. Her management of HR inboxes provides general information and support to employees, applicants, and community members, creating value.
“What distinguishes Vahnesa from her peers is not only the quality of her work, but the spirit with which she approaches it,” said FCS Deputy Chief HR Officer Dr. Eric Hollinhead. “She is the embodiment of a servant leader.”
Vahnesa is recognized by her coworkers as a division cheerleader embracing change. She introduced the Cheerful Giver campaign within the HR division, a community service initiative she designed from the ground up to promote teamwork. Through that effort, HR has partnered with organizations such as Covenant House Georgia and the Atlanta Mission to collect and donate essential items for individuals and families in need.
By co-hosting professionals and specialists, Vahnesa creates opportunities for collaboration and feedback, ensuring the HR Divisions' concerns are effectively communicated to leadership. This drives improvement for the entire department, fosters a positive work culture, and strengthens staff engagement.
She leads by example, with a commitment to personal growth. Vahnesa is a Certified Professional Human Capital Leader in Education and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt implementing improvements. She is working toward her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and maintains full compliance with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Director of Charter Schools Andrea Gatewood said, “Vahnesa has a service-oriented mindset. The evidence in her application and recommendation letter reflects not only the high performance within her role, but meaningful contributions to the broader culture, effectiveness, and mission of Fulton County Schools.”
Dr. Hollinhead nominated Vahnesa for the award and added, “The FCS SPOTY Award exists to honor individuals who exemplify excellence in service, integrity in practice, and dedication to the communities they serve. Vahnesa Jourdan embodies all these qualities and more. She is a rare professional whose impact extends far beyond her job title, touching the lives of colleagues, students, and community members alike.”