Shepherd Center Names New Executive Director of Foundation

Shepherd Center announced today it has named Sarah L. Batts as executive director of Shepherd Center Foundation. Batts will assume her role with the Foundation, which sets the development policy and acts as the major fundraising entity for Shepherd Center, on November 14.

Based in Atlanta, Shepherd Center is a 152-bed private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.

“Sarah clearly stands out as an incredibly talented development executive. She is a leader who will sustain and enhance the support of hallmarks of Shepherd Center – such as recreation therapy, assistive and therapeutic technology, research, housing and transportation,” said James Shepherd, co-founder and chairman of the board of Shepherd Center. “Sarah is engaged and enthusiastic, and we look forward to her leadership at Shepherd Center.”

Batts brings to Shepherd Center a wealth of experience and a depth of knowledge of Atlanta and its healthcare landscape. Most recently, she served as managing director, campaigns for the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation. In her role, she was responsible for leading the execution of strategic planning for future campaigns. Before joining the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation in 2008, Batts served as a director of development at Emory University School of Medicine, overseeing fundraising for the Department of Pediatrics. Prior to her tenure at Emory, she was a development officer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“I am honored to be joining Shepherd Center,” Batts said. “Beyond knowing of its outstanding reputation, I also have had personal experience with a relative who was a patient at Shepherd Center. It left a lasting impression on me, and I know Shepherd Center is going to be an inspiring place for me to continue my career and exercise my passion for leading fundraising for such a worthy organization.”

Batts is an Atlanta native and earned a bachelor of arts from The University of the South, after which she received a master of business administration degree from Loyola University Chicago. Most recently, she served on the board of directors of the Junior League of Atlanta as president. Currently, Batts serves on the board of directors of ARCS and the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. She regularly provides training on communication, conflict management and fund development for local nonprofit organizations.