Our Team

Susan Paul Smith retired from Rockdale County Public Schools after 18 years of service, most recently as Director of Student Relations, where she led work in community relations, school safety, and student support. She managed key initiatives including the STARS Community Partnership, Rockdale Youth Leadership, the Teen Leadership Summit, Parent Academy, and PBIS.

Deeply committed to the Rockdale community, she continues to serve as chair of the REF Board of Trustees and the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, facilitates Leadership Rockdale, and teaches Youth Mental Health First Aid for RCPS.

Moses Kabia was born and raised in Sierra Leone, growing up in SOS Children’s Villages after losing both parents at a young age. As a teenager, he moved to Ghana to complete the International Baccalaureate before earning a full scholarship to study in the United States.  He spent six years in management with Target before pursuing finance, later serving twelve years as a Bank of America Branch Manager and joining Truist in 2017.

A devoted traveler, volunteer, and community leader, he has held roles with Rotary Club of Conyers, United Way of Rockdale County, Hills Academy, and the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

Moses and his wife of 26 years are proud parents of three children. Having grown up without a family, Moses prioritizes creating a loving home for his children. And because strangers invested in his education, he is dedicated to giving back—especially through efforts that strengthen educational opportunities in Rockdale County.

A retired teacher, Robin Berry taught in both Dekalb County and Rockdale County, retiring from Flat Shoals after 42 years of service. She now continues to support students as a substitute teacher in the district.

In addition to her work with the Foundation, Robin is involved in the Rockdale Girls Softball Association, the SPLOST Parks and Recreation Committee, Rockdale Retired Educators Association, and the Hidden Acres Home Association. She also serves in several ministries at her church, St. Augustine in Covington, including the Usher Ministry, Saint Vincent de Paul Committee, and the flower and bereavement teams.

Robin loves living in Rockdale County, staying active in the community, and looks forward to being part of its new direction and enthusiasm.

Heather Simpson Duncan is a dedicated public education advocate and community servant currently serving her second term on the Rockdale County Public School Board of Education. A native of Jamaica and longtime Georgia resident, she holds a biology degree from SUNY Stony Brook and is a business owner with strong administrative leadership experience.

In addition to serving as the school board liaison to REF, Heather has served in numerous PTA, advisory council, Rotary, and student support roles, including leadership positions at several Rockdale schools. She has contributed to strategic planning, family engagement, gifted education advocacy, and youth wellness initiatives. Her service has earned multiple honors, including PTA, congressional, MLK leadership, and Rockin’ Women recognition.

Cindy Ball serves as the Chief Community Relations Officer for Rockdale County Public Schools, where she has been a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet for 19 years. She leads media and community relations, Partners in Education, district strategic planning, and Specialty and Choice program operations, and also oversees School Nutrition, Central Registration, and Academic Programs. As the RCPS representative on the Rockdale County Board of Health, she led the school system’s COVID-19 contact tracing and communication efforts during the pandemic.

Introduced to Conyers‑Rockdale during the 1996 Paralympic and Olympic equestrian events, Cindy later worked in healthcare marketing before joining RCPS. A UGA graduate, she has completed multiple leadership programs and is a past president of the Georgia School Public Relations Association.

Cindy is an avid equestrian and continues to ride and show hunter/jumpers. She and her husband of 27 years have two adult sons.

Dawn Robinson Butler, MPA, CPM, is an accomplished executive leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing community investment, strategic philanthropy, affordable housing, and organizational transformation across the corporate, nonprofit, foundation, and public sectors. She is recognized for building high-impact partnerships and advising executive leadership and governing boards on strategies that drive measurable community outcomes.

Dawn currently serves as Division Manager for the Fulton County Department of Community Development, leading countywide community investment strategies across all 15 municipalities. She previously held executive leadership roles with the Fannie Mae Foundation, Foundation for Financial Planning, Mercy Housing, Points of Light Foundation, and 100 Black Men of Atlanta. A committed civic leader, Dawn is a Hull Fellow, recognized for her leadership and dedication to advancing meaningful community impact.

Rose Collins has served on the Rockdale Education Foundation board for over 30 years, driven by a passion for ensuring every student receives a fantastic education. A dedicated advocate for underserved students, she has supported key initiatives, including teacher mini-grants, the Teacher of the Year program, and the Superintendent’s Scholarship.

Rose is a Conyers resident and retired professional, married to Travis, with two sons and five grandchildren. She remains steadfast in her commitment to the Foundation’s mission: enhancing student learning by providing financial support for innovative initiatives, rewarding achievement, and advocating for public education.

Winston Neil has been a proud resident of Rockdale County for more than 20 years and is deeply committed to serving the community he calls home. Professionally, he has worked with Lexicon Tech Solutions for 21 years and currently serves as the Director of Maintenance and Engineering Operations.

Outside of work, Winston is passionate about community service and youth development. He has volunteered with the Conyers Police Department for over 15 years, served as President of his homeowners’ association for the past two years, and currently serves as President of the Rockdale High School Boys Booster Club. He is also a strong supporter of Rockdale County Schools, where all of his children received their education.

Winston believes that strong communities are built through service, collaboration, and investing in future generations. He is dedicated to making a positive impact and helping others succeed while strengthening the community for generations to come.

Donna Price earned her master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University before relocating from Chicago to Conyers with her husband in 1996. They raised their daughter in Conyers, where she graduated from RCPS. Donna’s career included 19 years as a K–8 educator and 29 years in instructional technology support in both Chicago and Conyers before retiring from RCPS in 2025. As both a parent and an employee, she experienced RCPS from two perspectives and saw firsthand the strength of its instruction, curriculum, and professional learning support.

Donna is excited to bring her experience and collaborative spirit to the Rockdale Education Foundation in her first formal nonprofit leadership role. Inspired by RCPS students and committed to supporting their college journey, she values how scholarships and mini‑grants open doors for meaningful, high‑impact learning. She looks forward to working together to strengthen opportunities for students and staff across the district.

Cheryl Young is the Director of Membership with the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.  Serving in this role for 14 years,  Cheryl has helped the business community grow and prosper by utilizing her gift of building relationships and helping businesses make important connections.

Prior to her Chamber career, Cheryl spent 30+ years in the banking industry and has been recognized for her excellent customer service and banking knowledge, as well as her community spirit.  Active in the community as well, she has served on various committees in Conyers and surrounding areas and has received numerous awards for her volunteer work.

Cheryl is a lifelong resident of Conyers, GA where she lives with her husband, Barry.  She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.  An entrepreneur at heart and southern to the core, Cheryl can often be found working craft shows and festivals on the weekends, selling her fashion items under her “side hustle” Southern Girls with Sass!

Tracy Knutsen is a longtime public education professional with more than 30 years of experience supporting schools, educators, students, and nonprofits. She has served Rockdale County Public Schools in grants and Foundation leadership roles, helping connect innovative ideas with the funding and community support needed to bring them to life.