Though born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through coaching and planning for an exciting career, Donna moved to New York City in 1985. She is a graduate of the New York Society for the Deaf School in New York City and the Interpreter Training Program at the College of Staten Island.

Working on Wall Street for 13 years, climbing the corporate ladder from her job as a secretary, Donna eventually moved her way up to Citigroup’s Vice President position in Compliance. But after experiencing 9/11 firsthand, nervously fumbling down 36 flights of stairs in the dark, witnessing the second plane crash into the second tower and watching people jump out of the tower windows, she knew her life would never be the same.

“It was too much to comprehend; New York City was like a huge crematory. The unforgettable smell of death lingered for over a year,” Donna recalls. Seeking more balance in her life, she decided to move to Cobb County in Atlanta in October 2005.

As a top realtor with Metro Brokers GMAC/Real Estate, Donna says, “Putting my clients first includes keeping myself accessible, being an excellent listener as well as a fine communicator, and responding quickly to their needs. In addition, there are qualities that go into being an outstanding real estate professional; integrity, in-depth community and market awareness, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills and a high-quality professional network, all of which are hallmarks of how I work.”

Duplicating the same success she had in New York as a realtor, Donna provides premier service to executives, athletes, business owners, investors, as well as people who are looking to buy their first home. Donna specializes in Elegant Homes, Investment Properties, New Homes and Commercial Sales.

She uses her intrepid negotiation skills to represent both buyers and sellers. Being a woman who knows how to get things done, Donna was chosen out of hundreds of real estate candidates nationally to be in RISMedia Magazine as this year’s crop of 50 Realtors on the Rise who reflect a sizeable showing of quality and premier service to their clients.

When not assisting clients, Donna enjoys reading, traveling, entertaining, hiking with her two dogs and volunteering for a worthy cause.

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A Fellow of the American College of Surgery, Dr. Jenelle Foote, Vice President of Midtown Urology, continues to be a pioneer in medical research of female urology and sexual dysfunction. A native Ohioan with a passion for medicine, she received her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University in 1978.

After earning her Medical Doctorate from Temple University School of Medicine in 1984, Dr. Foote met internship and primary residency requirements in surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in urology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Dr. Foote also completed a fellowship in female urology, incontinence, and reconstructive surgery at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In addition to her academic background, Dr. Foote gained recognition in a 2002 article in Women in Medicine magazine, as well as being named one of Atlanta Magazine's "Best Docs" in 1999. Dr. Foote was also featured in the Atlanta Tribune article "Savvy Doctor Battles Incontinence in Women" and in 2001, Black Enterprise named Dr. Foote as one of the "Top African-American Doctors in the United States."

With special expertise in female urology and urinary incontinence, Dr. Foote is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory University. She is also an active staff urologist at Shepherd Center. Dr. Foote has served as principal investigator for several urologic research studies and has published numerous articles and abstracts. She frequently speaks to both professional and lay groups. (404) 881-0966

American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and & Therapists website: www.assect.org

Listen as Dr. Jenelle Foote discusses Female Sexual Dysfunction...

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Lisa Nicole Cloud, CEO of Elite Marketing Strategies, has greatly influenced the industry of Direct Sales and Professional Networking. She received her undergraduate education in Atlanta, Georgia, at Emory University where she was a Psychology/Pre-med major. She did her graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and successfully completed their prestigious Leadership Development Program.

Over the last several years, Lisa has conducted several hundred high-energy leadership speeches and sales seminars throughout the US and abroad in which she impacted and trained thousands of representatives in areas of Direct Sales, Personal Development and Professional Networking. She has provided consulting services in the area of Marketing Strategy development and implementation and Organizational development for companies in various business sectors such as Healthcare, Sports Entertainment, Information Systems, Pharmaceuticals, and Telecommunications, just to name a few.

Don’t let her small stature fool you, Lisa is a Little Dynamo. Dynamic, Captivating, Charismatic, Passionate, and Genuine, are often terms that have been used to describe her.

Lisa's mission in life is to help people identify their God given talents so they can do more, be more, achieve more and impact their community in a positive way. She motivates and inspires her audiences by consistently bringing real life experiences to her presentations and trainings. Lisa shows audiences the power of dreams and reveals the simple keys to turning them into realities. Her message is simple, "Your Attitude in Life, determines your Altitude in life” - period.

Listen to Lisa's inspirational interview and discover how she became a woman of purpose, passion and vision!

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Genetically, a person who comes from a family where most have lived to old age is also likely to enjoy longevity. This genetic heritage can also determine the aspects of good health such as a healthy heart, healthy brain, good circulation, good eyesight and hearing.

Even people who do not come from a heritage of longevity can live to old age if they look after themselves and avoid the risk factors that cause poor physical and mental health, thus accelerating the aging process. Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking in moderation, cutting out smoking, and following safe practices can all help to increase potential life span.

As we age, there are certain processes which cannot be avoided. This is particularly so of cell aging. As our body cells age, we are more likely to contract certain conditions because of the decline in strength and resistance to infection. Our bodies also begin to show signs of ‘wear and tear'. The skin loses its elasticity, thus resulting in the wrinkling we associate with old age.

As our body's cells wear out, they are replaced by a process of cell division. The only cells which don't replicate are those in the brain which cease to divide after birth.

It has been a philosophy that if you look after your body, particularly your body cells, then anti-aging should be smooth sailing. How? By nutrition - a balanced diet with associated exercise. The right and optimum balance of antioxidants and minerals daily is a great start.

Anti-aging health shouldn't be something you decide is a good idea when it's too late. Your body cells are constantly bombarded by those little attack armies called free radicals and if left unchecked, without the daily optimum replenishment of antioxidants and minerals, over time, they will kick-start a degeneration process that more often than not, can't be reversed.

The good news is that this process usually occurs over an extended period of time. Antioxidants, like little body commandos, will seek out these free radicals and neutralize them. But, you need to keep them coming on a daily basis.

Healthy body cells means you are one step ahead of the anti-aging health game. So set the pace, and make sure you don't slip back and become another aging statistic.

Contributing Writer: Dr. Nedra Dodds - a top anti-aging physician in metro Atlanta, and president of Opulence Aesthetic Medicine. For newspaper, radio or television interviews, contact People You Need to Know at atlanta.mecca@gmail.com.

When we first started this inspirational blog, our goal was to proudly salute successful business owners and professionals in metro Atlanta, by highlighting their achievements via interviews, audio introductions, biographical information and colorful ads.

After 100 posts, we're still honored to salute people like Dr. Danielle Wilson, developer of Kissable toothpaste. She has already gone above and beyond, in serving her community and leaving a legacy.

Dr. Danielle Wilson’s achievements have been great, yet she has remained humble. Born in Queens, New York, Dr. Wilson knew she wanted to become a dentist at the age of six years old. She says, “I was always interested in science and helping other people. I persevered and it became a reality for me.”

Dr. Wilson received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She also graduated from the University of Maryland Dental School. In addition, she spent 10 months studying in New Zealand at the University of Waikato, as a Fulbright Scholar. On becoming a Fulbright Scholar, she reflects, “It was very competitive. We had to have a certain grade point average, write an essay, choose a country we’d like to visit and then compete with all the other students who were interested in that particular country."

"I wrote my essay on a topic pertaining to science education,” she recalls. Her scholastic achievements and award-winning essay won her an opportunity to study at the University of Waikato. Dr. Wilson’s educational excellence didn’t stop there; she also received a NASA Fellowship to attend Morgan State University.

As a volunteer, Dr. Wilson lived for three weeks on an Indian Reservation making dentures for Native Americans. She has also provided dental screenings via a Colgate van for children who otherwise would not receive proper dental care. This diverse experience has helped her connect with her patients even more.

Dr. Wilson decided to move to Atlanta because she had heard it was the land of opportunity - where people could come and be successful. As far as she is concerned, all that she heard has definitely been true.

After being unhappy with the brand of toothpaste she was providing in her practice, Dr. Wilson decided to develop her own. Her popular, flavorful and successful new line of toothpaste is called, Kissable. It contains healthy ingredients, which promote a bright smile, fresh breath and healthy gums.

Her advice to women in business is,“Stay focused on your ultimate goal.” She continued, “There will always be others who will try to sidetrack you. You must stay focused.”

For newspaper, radio or television interviews, contact People You Need to Know at atlanta.mecca@gmail.com.

Dr. Mark Walker, one of Atlanta's most respected surgeons, as well as the Medical Director of Surgical Health Collective, has seen numerous preventable injuries.

A few months ago, he was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to grant us an interview, and he shared some startling statistics.

Dr. Walker also reminded us of simple choices we can make, which can save our lives as well as the lives of others.

I felt it was important to repost his message, especially since we have another holiday right around the corner. Please share it with a friend.

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Well, he’s not little anymore, but he was at the time. When I was fourteen, Jay was six years old. He was a well-mannered little kid with curly red hair, a face full of freckles and an easy smile. As a matter of fact, he could even cook a full breakfast for himself, at six years old!

His mother worked odd hours, which usually left him on his own most of the time, so Jay learned early on to do for self. After I discovered he was an only child, I became his unofficial big brother and he treated me as such.

One day, I saw him as he was going to the neighborhood convenience store. I spotted him walking at a quick pace in my direction. I was on my way to the tennis court to practice my game.

Calling out to him as I always did, I shouted, “How’s it going, Jay?”

He yelled back, “Fine, but I can’t talk right now because I have to go to the store for my mom.”

After we had made it within a few feet of each other, I noticed something was in his hair that made it look all matted together.

I inquired, “Jay, what’s that in your hair?”

His response was, “Nothing...I can’t talk right now or I’ll get in trouble. I have to go to the store for my mom.”

He started to cry.

I called out, “Jay what’s wrong?”

Once again, his reply was the same.

“Nothing.”

As I got even closer to him, I saw blood running down his left ear from a gash he had in the top of his head. I was afraid for little Jay because he was losing a lot of blood. I told him that he should come with me immediately to the apartment complex management office. I figured that we could at least get some bandages there.

Jay emphatically said, “No…I can’t because I’ll get in trouble.”

I knew I had to do something. After pleading with him, to no avail, to come with me, I decided to run to the management office as fast as my legs could carry me so they could call an ambulance, police or do something to help.

When I arrived at the management office, I told Carol, the apartment manager, what I had witnessed. She quickly called an ambulance and the police department was notified. We got into her car and sped up the hill to the nearby convenience store. When we walked into the store, we saw little Jay at the counter, purchasing a pack of cigarettes for his mother.

It was one of the most heartbreaking sights I had ever seen in my short life. This little innocent human being standing there with matted hair, a gash in the top of this head and blood running down his ear, still determined to obey his abusive mother at any cost.

I will never forget his words that day. He bravely said to us, “You know, when my mom hit me on top of my head with that belt buckle, I didn’t even cry.”

At that point, all of the adults who were looking on, did.

A few weeks later, on the evening before it was time to go to court to testify on little Jay’s behalf, I walked around my apartment complex, going door to door. I wanted to find out whether or not any of the other kids -- who knew little Jay had been beaten by his mother, were going to court to speak up for him. They all replied, “No, we can’t go, our parents won’t let us.”

I later found out that many of the residents, both children and adults, already knew little Jay was being abused long before this incident.

I remember being extremely disappointed with my friends and their parents. I was taught that you should do whatever you could to help someone in need. But on that fateful day, as I looked around the courtroom, I was the only kid who showed up.

Unfortunately, at age fourteen, I learned that Albert Einstein was right. “The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” After the trial, Jay and his mother moved away the next day.

Thirty-one years later, the memory of little Jay is still etched in my mind and I often talk about him in my presentations. People sometimes ask me what happened to him. Well, I never saw him again. Nevertheless, I hope his life took a turn for the better because he deserved no less than the best.

"If Veda does not sell your home in 89 Days or less, she will buy it herself and/or you pay her nothing!"

Veda Wood has over 12 years of real estate experience and is well respected for her in-depth knowledge of buying, selling, new construction, investment and commercial property. Veda and her team of real estate professionals handle all types of properties that range from starter homes to multi-million dollar estates.

Throughout her career, Veda has continually achieved outstanding sales results and has shown the ability to excel at everything she does. She has earned and received the industry’s highest awards and designations. She believes extraordinary service as well as cutting edge and innovative marketing techniques are the keys to her success.

Extraordinary service equals commitment to detail, enthusiasm, empathy, accountability and the ability to proactively position her clients to achieve their goals whether buying, selling, building, relocating or exchanging real estate. Innovative marketing requires confidence, creativity and the willingness to guarantee your services in writing. She has two such guarantees and has blown away the competition with their success and they are: If Veda does not sell your home in 89 Days or less, she will buy it herself and/or you pay her nothing! This innovative marketing has helped Veda to continue to excel even in what is considered a down economy.

Veda resides in Cobb County with her husband, an Emory University graduate and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and their two adorable sons. She is also an active member of Turner Chapel AME Church.

Veda has a passion for real estate and believes real estate is what she was placed on earth to do. She also believes “some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.” As a result, Veda has built a solid client base from her many satisfied clients who refer her at every opportunity they can. Look for Veda on the cover of the 2009 Business Celebrities Edition of People You Need to Know!

Call Veda now for all of your real estate needs! 770-926-0101

Get ready to relax! Dental visits are no longer filled with anxiety, but are replaced with the comforts of a posh spa.

Since introducing The Dental Spa to the Marietta area in 2005, not only has Dr. Shai Hall received patients from all over the metro Atlanta area, but patients from as far away as California and Chicago have traveled to experience “Dentistry with a Pampering Touch.”

Dr. Shai Hall received a BS in biology from Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, and her DDS degree from the University of Maryland - Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. During her dental school years, she did an externship at a Navaho Indian Reservation. After graduation, she served in the Air Force Dental Corps for six years in stations here in the states and Japan.

Her practice offers an array of dental services including Laser Teeth Whitening, Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers, Invisalign, Smile Makeovers, natural colored fillings, cleanings and much more.

Dr. Hall offers her patients an assortment of spa amenities, including an indulgent chair massage, paraffin hand wax treatment and aromatherapy during their visit. From a relaxing atmosphere to luxury spa services, The Dental Spa strives to provide you with a pampering experience. Be careful though, you just might fall asleep.