Buckhead Coalition & North Atlanta High School Partner to Support Future Workforce through Summer Internships

ATLANTA, GA – June 2, 2026 – The Buckhead Coalition, a nonprofit organization of business and civic leaders dedicated to advancing economic development and enhancing the quality of life in Buckhead, is expanding its long-standing partnership with North Atlanta High School (NAHS) as it launches another year of its summer internship initiative. Designed to strengthen local students’ workforce skills and connections with Atlanta’s business community, the program places NAHS sophomores and juniors in career-focused internships hosted by Coalition member organizations throughout the metro area.

“Our partnership with North Atlanta High School continues to strengthen the fabric of the Buckhead community. Through this collaboration, we are investing in the future of Buckhead’s youth, schools and workforce,” said Katharine Kelley, CEO of the Buckhead Coalition. “The Coalition remains deeply committed to advancing education, employment, and mentorship priorities championed by Mayor Dickens, and we are honored to contribute to the important work taking place across the entire city of Atlanta.”

Now in its fourth year, the program has become a cornerstone of the Coalition’s education and workforce development strategy in Buckhead. It was first introduced in 2023 in alignment with Mayor Andre Dickens’ Year of the Youth and has continued to grow in both scale and impact. This summer, 14 students from NAHS’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program will take part in two‑week internships across a variety of industries – including insurance, education, and digital media – offered by respected Atlanta‑based companies.

“The Buckhead Coalition has opened doors for our students to gain real, hands‑on experience in professional environments, and we’re grateful for this partnership,” said Melissa Edwards, CTAE program coordinator at North Atlanta High School. “Workforce development at the high school level is transformative; it helps young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and envision a future they can actively work toward.”

Interns will gain practical experience, strengthen communication and workplace skills, and begin building professional networks. This year, all CTAE students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops on careers in the arts and commercial real estate and building financial literacy skills.

“The Buckhead Coalition Summer Internship Program has been a highlight of my summers as a North Atlanta High School student,” said current NAHS CTAE student Sage Gaynor.  “For the past two summers, I’ve had the chance to learn from business leaders who continually encourage my professional growth. I’m grateful for the chance to return to the program and excited for the opportunities this summer will bring.”

In collaboration with the Buckhead CID, Buckhead Business Administration, and Livable Buckhead, the Coalition will also host a Buckhead Civic Engagement internship. The student will support each organization through short-term projects while gaining exposure to community engagement, public-private partnerships, and local civic initiatives.

Additional participating companies and organizations include:

• Aon Risk Services South, Inc.
• Atlanta International School
• The Atlanta Opera
• CBRE
• Coro Realty
• First Carolina Bank
• Rand & Co Holdings
• Transwestern
• Trevelino Keller
• Trimont
• Southern Company Gas

 

“Over the years, we have seen firsthand how this program shapes students in incredibly impactful ways,” said Buckhead Coalition member and Aon Executive Vice President, Kristin Adams. “They gain exposure to professional fields, discover new opportunities, and develop a deeper understanding of their own strengths and aspirations. Thanks to this NAHS and Buckhead Coalition collaboration, our community has a platform that allows us to engage directly with high school students and support them as they work toward their goals.”

Georgia’s CTAE framework is designed to prepare students for postsecondary opportunities by connecting classroom learning with real workforce needs. Within Atlanta Public Schools, students complete a three‑year sequence in their selected pathway. At NAHS, many of the interns are pursuing the Business and Technology pathway, giving them a strong foundation in business concepts and digital skills that they will apply and expand during their internship experience. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools CTAE program, visit:  https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/teaching-learning/ctae.

###

About the Buckhead Coalition

The Buckhead Coalition is a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for the Buckhead community within the City of Atlanta and the broader metropolitan region. Comprised of 125 senior business executives and civic leaders, the Coalition works to improve the quality of life for Buckhead residents, businesses, and visitors. By convening leaders from the public and private sectors, it fosters collaboration and drives strategic partnerships that address the community’s most pressing issues. Learn more at: https://thebuckheadcoalition.com