The North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service (NAV) is proud to announce that DD Garzon will serve as our 2026 Mentor Chair, leading our volunteer mentor team and working closely with program managers to support the ventures we serve. DD’s appointment follows a year of remarkable engagement across our mentor community and reflects her deep commitment to fostering strong, principled mentorship in North Atlanta.
“It’s a privilege to step into the role of Chair for the NAV Program. I’m continually inspired by the incredible mentors who generously pour their wisdom and experience into our local businesses,” said DD. “When we champion small business success, we’re not just building companies — we’re strengthening the North Atlanta community as a whole.”
As a seasoned entrepreneur and real estate leader, DD brings decades of experience in business ownership, operations, and strategic growth. Her background spans founding and scaling her own companies, navigating complex markets, and guiding emerging leaders as both a mentor and community advocate – experience that positions her exceptionally well to help steer NAV’s mentor team in the year ahead. Her full mentor bio is available on the NAV website.
Why the Mentor Chair Role Matters
The Mentor Chair serves as a vital bridge between NAV mentors and program leadership, helping ensure our mentorship model – principled and trained by the MIT Venture Mentoring Service – remains collaborative, consistent, and founder focused. The role supports mentor onboarding, fosters cross mentor dialogue, and helps uphold NAV’s high standards for unbiased, team-based guidance. NAV’s approach thrives because of engaged mentors who bring wide-ranging expertise and a shared commitment to helping founders scale smart.
DD’s leadership comes at an exciting moment for NAV. Our first mentor meeting of 2026 set the tone for a year of momentum, collaboration, and continuous improvement – driven in part by new insights from our data collection project and the enthusiasm of our expanding mentor cohort.
A Message of Gratitude and Excitement
We extend our sincere appreciation to last year’s Mentor Chair, Elliot Franklin, for his service and leadership throughout 2025. And we are thrilled to welcome DD into this influential role as we work together to strengthen NAV’s impact on the entrepreneurs we support.
With DD’s strategic mind, collaborative spirit, and passion for helping founders succeed, NAV is well positioned for another year of meaningful, high-quality mentorship.
Please join us in congratulating DD Garzon on her new role – and in celebrating the mentors who make NAV a trusted home for bold ideas and growing ventures across North Atlanta.
If you are looking to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs in North Atlanta and join the efforts of DD and Elliot, visit northatlantavms.com to apply.