2026 HEROES, SAINTS & LEGENDS GALA AND AWARDS TO CELEBRATE ATLANTA’S ESTEEMED LEADERS

ATLANTA -- -- The Foundation of Wesley Woods will host the 37 th annual Heroes, Saints &

Legends Gala on September 17, 2026, at Flourish by Legendary Events in Buckhead. The

esteemed event and award ceremony draws over 400 guests annually to honor and pay tribute

to notable Georgians who have enriched Atlanta's community through a lifetime of

commitment to leadership, service, and philanthropy. 

The 2026 honorees are:  

Kathy N. Waller, Executive Director for the Atlanta Committee for Progress, retired Chief

Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, and President, Enabling Services. Waller is the

founding chair of The Coca-Cola Company’s Women’s Leadership Council and is a board

member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, The Woodruff Arts Center, Achieve Atlanta, CGI

Group, Delta Airlines, among many others. 

John W. Stephenson retired Executive Director of the J. Bulow Campbell Foundation and

current Executive Director/Consultant for the Georgia Health Foundation. Stephenson has

devoted his career to education and philanthropy, from administrative roles as Vice President

of Development at Emory University to trustee and chair positions at notable foundations,

including the Courts, Fraser-Parker, and Teague Family Foundations. His many civic

engagements include Mission 1:27 and the Atlanta Youth Academy.

Since its debut in 1990, the Gala has celebrated 120 exemplary leaders and raised more than

$9.1 million for the Foundation of Wesley Woods. These vital funds provide essential resources

for over 1800 older adults living in Wesley Woods residential communities across North

Georgia, enhancing their lives through charitable care, pastoral care, and innovative wellness

programming. 

Diane Vaughan, president of the Foundation for Wesley Woods, praised the honorees for their

visionary leadership and enduring commitment to Atlanta. "Kathy Waller and John Stephenson

exemplify what it means to serve with both vision and compassion. While their paths have been

unique—Kathy leading in economic growth, inclusion and financial stewardship, John shaping

philanthropy and education—their collective impact and dedication to uplift our Atlanta

community and citizens is extraordinary,” said Vaughan.

Hosted by Emcee Monica Pearson, the evening promises an elegant welcome reception, dinner,

musical entertainment, and performances, culminating in a heartfelt awards ceremony

featuring videos and lively remarks with each honoree.

Corporate sponsorships and individual tickets for the 2026 Gala are available now. We invite

you to join us for the Heroes, Saints & Legends on Thursday, September 17, at Flourish by

Legendary Events, located at 3143 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA. For more information about

tickets, sponsorship, the 2026 honorees, and the Gala, please visit

www.wesleywoods.org/heroes.

About Wesley Woods Senior Living:

Imagined in 1954 by innovative leaders of the United Methodist Church and the greater Atlanta

community, Wesley Woods is a mission-driven non-profit creating communities of connection,

well-being, and promise for older adults. With ten senior living communities throughout North

Georgia, we provide a range of care levels, including independent living, assisted living, memory

care, and skilled nursing.

The Foundation of Wesley Woods serves as the connection point between the generosity of

community supporters and the practical, life-changing work of Wesley Woods. Donor support

helps us achieve our mission by providing robust wellness programming, a compassionate

pastoral care program, and charitable financial assistance for housing and meals, all of which

enable residents to live independently longer, delaying or eliminating the need for them to

move to higher, more restrictive, and more expensive levels of care.