Fearless Fundraising for Small Businesses - Augusta

Moderator
Donna Lowry is an award-winning journalist who combines a passion for storytelling and a desire to empower others with communication and critical thinking skills surrounding political, educational, and financial  issues.

Through her firm, Donna Lowry Communications, she provides consulting, writing, and producing services for educational, media, professional, and business outlets.

Donna serves as host/producer for several programs, including Lawmakers on Georgia Public Broadcasting. 

Donna is an eight-time Emmy award winner, a three-time national Gabriel Award recipient, and has garnered honors from countless organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, Georgia Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). 

Her media peers inducted Donna into the prestigious NATAS Southeast Silver Circle to recognize her lasting contributions to the broadcast industry.  

Donna has a master's in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's in Mass Communications and Administration and Management from Chatham University. 

Her professional affiliations include the Atlanta Press Club, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Southeastern Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS SE).    

In her 15th year as a Girl Scout Leader, Donna has led girls ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her community service affiliations also include Magnolia (GA) Chapter of Links, Inc., and Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.     

Donna and her husband, Army Major (Ret) Bennet W. Reid, Jr., are the parents of three daughters. 

Entrepreneur or owner at Swank Augusta & RB Capital Investments

Rafy Bassali, from Augusta, Georgia, graduated of Westminster Schools of Augusta. He holds a double major in real estate and investment finance from the University of South Carolina and earned his MBA from Augusta University. Rafy perused real estate during his time at USC, focusing on downtown Augusta. Additionally, he has grown retail stores: The Swank Company, Escape Outdoors, and Posh Tots Children’s Boutique, to a total of seven brick-and-mortar locations and three e-commerce sites. Rafy also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Pinnacle Bank.

Founder & CEO, Finance Savvy CEO™ and creator of Your Profit Playbook™

Marguerite, a former Wall Street financial analyst, business strategist, and top ranked business money expert, was named Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 by Atlanta Business Chronicle, co-authored “Girl Power Uncensored” with her chapter “From Wall Street To Helping Main Street”, is an accredited angel investor, host of the podcast “Finance Savvy CEO”, the creator of Your Profit Playbook® - the leading business financial planning training program for small business owners, and Founder & CEO of financesavvyceo.com.  Marguerite spent the early stages of her career as a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs, controlling an over $2 billion portfolio of private equity, alternative energy, and commercial real estate investments. She transitioned after business school at the NYU Stern School of Business into a successful career in Mergers & Acquisitions as a Manager at Deloitte Consulting, advising Fortune 500 companies through the full deal cycle from target screening, deal structuring, valuations, and due diligence, all the way through day 1 readiness and post-merger implementations. Marguerite continued to push the ceiling when she sought to make wedding planning less stressful and more fun for brides by creating Tulle la la, a global retail technology company that combines technology with a project management-based approach to wedding planning. In 2018, Tulle la la won the modern luxury diamond award for Best Wedding Technology. Marguerite had a successful exit from the company within 5 years, and today, Tulle la la continues to serve thousands of brides across the globe each year. Marguerite now focuses her attention on her EdTech FinTech platform, Finance Savvy CEO, created to help close the gender & racial wealth gap by focusing on profitable entrepreneurship. Finance Savvy CEO supports business owners on an ongoing basis, through programming and members-only access, to increase the financial health of their business and intentionally create long-term organic financial sustainability. Marguerite is passionate about building generational wealth through entrepreneurship and is always excited to help entrepreneurs navigate their pathway to profitability.

Business Consultant, GA SBDC

Rebecca works as a business consultant for established and growing businesses in the CSRA and beyond, having clients in other states as well.

She works with established and aspiring entrepreneurs regarding business direction and growth. Rebecca helps assess opportunities and facilitate strategic planning for successful implementation.  She also helps business owners understand cash flow and management.          

Rebecca’s background in ownership in retail markets, staff management and leadership, and agri-business blend well with the demands of small businesses. She assists in the development of target marketing, develops visually appealing displays and provides image consulting. She assists with business plans and projections, capital formation, and is the newly formed state coordinator for the National Annie’s Project promoting women in Agriculture. 

Rebecca received an MBA from Augusta University Hull College of Business, a MSE (Leadership and Administration) from William Woods University, and a BSE (Mathematics Education) from Central Missouri State University. Her hometown is Hughesville, Missouri – Population 152 – Saaaaalute!

Executive Vice President, CSR Business Lending

Cody Shepherd is the Executive Vice President of CSRA Business Lending in Augusta, Georgia. CSRA Business Lending operates as a Certified Development Company of the U.S. Small Business Administration making SBA-504 loans in conjunction with banks throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Prior to joining CSRA, Cody gained six years of banking experience with Georgia Bank and Trust. Cody is a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Outside of work, Cody is an avid outdoorsman and dedicated husband and father to his wife and two children. He is a member of Kiokee Baptist Church and serves as Treasurer for When Help Can’t Wait, a non-profit that provides material assistance to local nursing homes. 

Senior Vice President-Director of Lending and Business Services, Pinnacle Bank

After more than 22 years in banking (15 in business banking, 7 in consumer banking), nothing brings Dustin more satisfaction than developing strong relationships with his clients. His goal is to become a trusted advisor and friend to each one of them. That’s where the real understanding and conversations happen. Although he specializes in business banking, all banking is personal to him. 

Dustin is a native to Augusta.  He attended Butler High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a Finance major and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Augusta University.  Dustin enjoys connecting with and giving back to the community through the Rotary Club of Augusta, where he has been a member for 14 years and served as president in 2020-21. In his spare time, he enjoys sharing meals and good movies with his wife, playing golf with his daughters, fishing, playing guitar, and working on cars. 

Dustin has been married to Kristen since 2002.  They have four daughters: Zion 16, Zoe 15, Zaydee 13, and Zara 8.