Malaika Rivers led Georgia’s first Community Improvement District. Over her 22 years as Executive Director, she helped orchestrate the area’s evolution from a 1980s-style drivable-suburban office market into a place rich with amenities to support the 32 million square feet of built space.

Malaika’s strategic approach put long-term plans into action. Working with broad stakeholders ranging from property owners, technical teams, and elected officials, she steered ideas, navigated complex political and financial dimensions, and channeled investments.

The results of her efforts were game-changing, as she helped secure public infrastructure improvements worth nearly $2 billion for the CID’s 180 commercial property owners.

Now, along with its office towers and a busy convention center, the community is celebrated for its access to 800 acres of unspoiled National Park land and a mixed-use entertainment district anchored by the Atlanta Braves.

During Malaika’s tenure, real estate valuations increased from $4 billion to more than $6 billion.