Fueling Growth Webinar
Fueling Growth: Funding Your Small Business
Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, you’ll gain practical insights on how to prepare your business for funding, what lenders and investors look for, and how to choose the right capital path for your goals. Join us to learn the tools, resources, and confidence you need to secure the funding that fuels lasting growth.
Panelists
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.
President & Founder, Praxis Strategic Solutions
Anita Davis is a Certified AI Consultant, Certified AI Trainer, AI Integration Strategist and Speaker with more than 20 years of experience in banking, financial literacy education, and small business advisory support. She has previously delivered multiple FIN FIT training sessions for the Georgia Secretary of State, including the statewide “She Leads” virtual program, where she taught funding readiness, credit fundamentals, and financial statement basics to entrepreneurs across Georgia.
As the founder of Praxis Strategic Solutions, Anita leads a learning and development firm specializing in AI integration, capital readiness, supplier development, and workforce upskilling for small and mid-sized companies. Her background as a Small Business Banker and Portfolio Manager with SunTrust, BB&T, and Chase Bank allows her to blend practical lending insight with modern AI-driven strategies that strengthen financial decision-making and business sustainability.
She is also an honored recipient of the 2024-2025 Comcast RISE Award and the 2025 Women’s Business Enterprise Advocate of the Year distinction.
Founder and CEO of MerchLogix, Inc.
Nickolas (Nick) Downey is founder and CEO of MerchLogix, Inc., an Atlanta-based software company. Nick Graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and lives in Atlanta with his son Finnegan. Nick is a former member of the Atlanta Technology Angels and sits on the Board of Directors of several Atlanta organizations. Nick has served as a coach for the Georgia Tech Business Plan competition, and the Startup Runway Foundation.
Atlanta Market Engagement Officer for Momentus Capital
Maria Peck serves as the Atlanta Market Engagement Officer for Momentus Capital, championing access to a full continuum of capital for small businesses. In this role, she advances Momentus Capital’s commitment to expanding capital and opportunities for communities—providing them with the momentum they need for success.
For over 15 years, Peck has worked to strengthen wealth-building pathways in underserved and underrepresented communities as a trusted advisor and ecosystem leader. She also contributes her expertise through multiple volunteer roles, including serving as Regional Board Chair of Prospera Georgia focused on elevating immigrant entrepreneurship.