theClubhou_se

This past week, we hosted our first AI Roundtable with leaders from the HR and developer community. The conversations focused on how AI is reshaping the way we serve people in our workplaces and across our local communities. A special thank-you to Eric Parker, AIA and the team at theClubhou_se for welcoming us into their space, and to Patrick Reynolds and Dr. Gordon Jones for guiding such meaningful discussions. Grateful for everyone who showed up ready to learn, share, and build something better together. We’re already planning the next session so stay tuned. If you’re passionate about responsible, people-centered AI and want to be part of the conversation, keep an eye out for the next meeting announcement.

What’s it like to host a National Summit? What happens when ecosystem builders from across the country come together to share, learn, and lead with heart? Last week, we hosted the Startup Champions Network Fall Summit in Augusta, and the experience reminded us why community is everything. It became the perfect catalyst for reflection and for launching a fresh new newsletter. Subscribe to #BeTheNode for stories and insights from ecosystem builders around the world. Read Eric Parker's reflections in the full article below. #EcosystemBuilding #StartupChampionsNetwork #MakeStartups #BeTheNode #SCNAugusta Thank you, Georgia Power Company, Wells Fargo, Destination Augusta, ATC Development, & EcoMap Technologies, Inc.! Grace Anne Belangia Lexie Irvine Startup Champions Network Mark A. Lawrence Ashley Ray Maggie Terhune Richard Lin Aliyah Shine Anika Horn Daren Timmons Darlisa Diltz, MBA, MIS Eric Harry Gabriela "Gaby" Scarritt Garry Lyon Jr, CSM Harald Eisenhauer Jim Roberts ⚡️ Jim Woodell, Ph.D. Kim Freeze, PsyD Mitch Smith Paulo Gregory Scott Hathcock Shaheen Lokhandwala Tanya T Morris Andy Stoll 🌱 Amy Beaird, PhD Larry Horn Sharon Martin Cameron Cushman Kendel R. Devon Horace, MBA Erika Haskins Fay Horwitt Anand Macherla Debbie Irwin

Can one week really change your perspective as a builder? For us, it did. What moment from #SCNAugusta stuck with you?

#FridayThoughts #Augusta and the CSRA are beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible. I referenced Eric Parker, AIA and theClubhou_se / Make Startups a few months ago. This week they hosted Startup Champions Network with folks from around the world in attendance. We even had the chance to share the HomeLedger® story with them. It never happens as quickly as you’d like, but the timing is lining up for people, infrastructure, and capital to put Augusta on the map for startups, fresh ideas and great companies… more than just once a year for a week in April. Destination Augusta

Standing on a stage never really gets easy — it just changes meaning over time. Last week, I stepped onto the brand-new stage at theClubhou_se during the #WomenInTech meetup and shared a short story about how (and why) I transitioned into cybersecurity. Even after years of public speaking in my former career, those familiar jitters still showed up — and honestly, I was glad they did. They reminded me that growth doesn’t always feel comfortable, even when you’ve done it before. A few days later, I had the joy of watching Sharon Martin take the stage at BSides Augusta and absolutely shine. Her talk on clicksploitation — a topic close to my heart — blended deep technical research with clear, engaging storytelling that kept the whole audience hooked. Seeing both of us step up, in different spaces but for the same reason — to share, connect, and help others grow — reminded me how powerful it is when we show up, nerves and all. Nerves fade, voices carry — and that’s how community grows. 💡 Sarah K Matta Lexie Irvine Chiquita Smith David Mackey #WomenInTech #BSidesAugusta #CyberSecurityCommunity #WomenInCyber #PublicSpeaking #CareerGrowth