Thanks for stopping by to learn more about my re-election bid for COSF District 1 .
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About Catherine
DEDICATED, PUBLIC SERVANT
- Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell is the incumbent Councilwoman for City of South Fulton District 1 and has served as the City’s first Mayor Pro Tem.
Experience Where It Counts!
- Inaugural and current Council Member for District 1 (2017-Present)
- City of South Fulton's First Mayor Pro Tem (2017)
- Completed over 260+ credit hours of elected official professional development training hours through the University of Georgia having earned four Georgia Municipal Association Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificates that include: Certificate of Recognition, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Excellence, and Certificate of Distinction
- Member of the prestigious Robert Knox Municipal Leadership Institute class of 2019
- Board Member of the Conference of Minority Public Administrators and the American Society of Public Administrators and member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators
- Alum of Leadership South Fulton, the Georgia Academy of Economic Development, Atlanta Regional Commission Arts Leader and Regional Leadership Institute
Service Awards
- The Fortitude Education and Cultural Development Center, Inc., Pinnacle Leadership Award (2022)
- Fulton County Citizen Commission on Environment District 6 Environmental Award (October 19, 2022)
- South Fulton Leadership Alumni (2019-2020)
- American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Georgia Chapter Distinguished Practitioner Award (2019)
Community service includes, serving as:
- Chair, Asa Philip Randolph Elementary School Governance Council '
- Co-Chair, Protecting Our Schools and Communities Against Annexation Chair, Economic Development Committee of People's Campaign Volunteer, Randolph Girl Scouts
- Former Vice-President and Member, Randolph PTA
- Fulton County Schools Volunteer of the Year 2015
- HOA President, Cambridge Commons
- Charter Member, Women of Clark Atlanta University
- Charter Member of the Alpha Beta Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated
Community Honors & Awards
- Bethel United Methodist Church, Certificate of Appreciation (September 10, 2023)
- Elizabeth Baptist Church, Upward Basketball Ministry Recognition (February 25, 2023)
- Future Seekers, Inc., Community Service Award (2021)
- NAACP, Certificate of Silver Life Membership (January 2021)
- A. Phillip Randolph Elementary, Business Partner Award (2018-2019); Current community partner
Prior to taking elected office, Catherine served as Executive Director of Operation PEACE Inc. for three years and led the organization to development of a multi-year strategic plan; diversification of funding for the organization; and recognition for fiscal transparency with the Guidestar Gold Standard of Transparency. She was also employed by Families First, after one year of employment, she was promoted to the Senior Government Grants Manager and successfully secured in excess of $4 million in government grants and contracts annually to serve children and families.
Additionally, she served as a Senior Business Analyst with Beacon Analytics, LLC, notable achievements during her tenure include developing the functional specifications in support of an electronic case record and redesigning key business units (i.e., Third Party Liability, Non-Emergency Transportation, and Program Integrity) for the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Prior to joining Beacon Analytics, she was employed by Enterprise Community Partners as a Senior Program Director with the Atlanta Renewal Community Coordinating Responsible Authority (ACoRA), in this role she oversaw the procurement of over $40 million in Social Service Block Grant funding on behalf of the City of Atlanta.
Dr. Foster Rowell has also been employed by a number of public-sector consulting firms. While at the Bronner Group, Catherine was responsible for government relations and providing consulting services to public housing authorities in the Southeastern United States. While employed by MAXIMUS consulting firm, as a Director in the Revenue Services Division, she supervised 15 subject-matter experts that generated $60M in unobligated state funds to serve as Georgia TANF Maintenance of Effort and supported the launch of the District of Columbia Healthy Families Program.
Dr. Foster Rowell is published and served as a Fellow for the Southern Center of Studies in Public Policy at Clark Atlanta University. In addition, she has presented at conferences, served as a federal grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Fulton County Arts Council and the Cobb Community Collaborative. She has been featured in several editions of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, including 2018 and 2019. She has served on numerous volunteer boards which include the National Forum of Black Public Administrators; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter; Community Alliance of Metropolitan Parkway; the Georgia Association of Social Workers; and the Cambridge Commons Homeowners’ Association. Recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award from the Clark Atlanta University Public Administration Student Association (2007).
Catherine holds bachelors degrees in Sociology and Social Work from Cleveland State University and a Masters of Public Administration in Urban Management and Doctorate in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University.
Rowell Recognized for ‘Outstanding Leadership’ at Annual Pinnacle Awards Luncheon
South Fulton Observer - August 29, 2022
This weekend, District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell and several other community service leaders were presented with 2022 Pinnacle Leadership Awards. The honors were bestowed by the Fortitude Education and Cultural Development Center, Inc. (FECDC).
Fulton County Honors Rowell for Environmental Work
City of South Fulton News Release - October 19, 2022
The Fulton County Commission recognized City of South Fulton District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine F. Rowell today during its Environmental Awards ceremony. Each year, the commission recognizes an individual from each county district whose efforts and advocacy and exemplify environmentally-sound practices that align with the county’s strategic plan.
Fulton County Commissioners Honor 2022 Environmental Award Winners
Fulton County Government News - October 18, 2022
Fulton County Commissioners Honor 2022 Environmental Award Winners. Members of the community recognized for efforts on behalf of the environment.The Environmental Awards program honors advocates who exemplify environmentally-sound practices. Honoree's include community organizations, schools, local governments, businesses, and individuals working to improve the lives of citizens in Fulton County.
The City of South Fulton Councilwoman Catherine Rowell Shares Her Journey on Sister Talk
News-Talk 1380 WAOK: The Voice of the Community - March 11, 2020
On Point with Juandolyn Stokes welcomes Catherine Rowell to the program. Rowell is the councilwoman for the City of South Fulton District 1. Rowell discussed her journey of being a city councilwoman and her commitment to making a positive impact on her community.
South Fulton Seeks to Address Quality of Life Issues
Home Rule News - January 20, 2019
The South Fulton City Council wants to be proactive when it comes to various quality of life matters within the city limits. Continued calls and complaints about loitering, door to door sales, and panhandling are causing updates in ordinances and new protections.
Rowell Receives Distinguished Public Service Practitioner Award
City of South Fulton Observer - May 31, 2019
District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell is the recent recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Public Service Practitioner Award. She was presented with the award during the City Council’s regular meeting on May 28 by representatives from the Georgia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).
South Fulton Announces Series of Community Cleanups
City of South Fulton Observer - March 28, 2019
During the citywide cleanup on April 27, Councilwoman Catherine Foster Rowell will host “Team Up to Clean Up” at 10:00 a.m. kicking off at the Cascade Driving Range (3520 Cascade Road).
Young Women Run Atlanta: Elected Guests - IGNITE National
IGNITE National - February 9, 2019
Councilwoman Catherine Rowell, City of South Fulton - Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell is the Councilwoman for District 1 of the City of South Fulton and served as the first Mayor Pro Tem.
South Fulton Bus Tour Highlights Economic Development
South Metro Neighbor - December 26, 2018
South Fulton City Councilwoman Catherine Foster Rowell, Ph.D., recently hosted an economic development summit and bus tour in her District 1.
Inaugural Healthy South Fulton Day Welcomes Over 1,500
City of South Fulton Observer - July 30, 2018
Saturday, July 28, marked the inaugural #HealthySouthFulton Family Fun Day and Back to School Giveaway at Sandtown Park. The event, which welcomed over 1,500 attendees, was hosted by Councilwomen Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell and Carmalitha Gumbs in partnership with Touch of Life Family Chiropractic.
South Fulton Councilwoman Sharpens Leadership Skills
South Metro Neighbor - July 9, 2018
South Fulton’s District 1 residents now have a more highly trained elected official representing them.
South Fulton Councilwoman Elected to National Board
South Metro Neighbor - May 2, 2018
South Fulton City Councilwoman Catherine Foster Rowell, Ph.D., is now an at-large member of the Washington, D.C.-based Conference of Minority Public Administrators 2018-19 executive board.