Community
Katherine Lafourcade — A Journey of Passion, Resilience and Giving Back
Katherine Lafourcade, executive director of the French American Chamber of Commerce Atlanta-Southeast (FAAC Atlanta-Southeast), located at Curiosity Lab Peachtree Corners, discovered her passion for French early in life.
As a schoolgirl in England, learning French ignited a spark in her. And by age 13 she’d informed her mother that she planned to be bilingual, live in France and marry a Frenchman. Later, armed with a degree in international business and French, she made her way to an internship in Paris, achieved fluency and did, in fact, eventually marry a Frenchman.
“I worked for 10 months in Paris for a defense company … in the purchasing department. I was basically learning French. I was an assistant, and it was very much French immersion,” Lafourcade recounts.
Having reached an important linguistic milestone, Lafourcade couldn’t wait to share the progress with her mother. “I rang her so excited one day, forgetting she was still teaching. […] They had to get her out of the classroom to come to the phone. All I wanted to tell her was that I’d had a dream in French,” she laughed.
Career moves and motherhood
Lafourcade held various jobs in Paris, then moved to Nantes on the west coast before a new opportunity led her to Geneva. She’d spend more than 15 years in Switzerland. It was there that she met Alain, her Frenchman, and had two children, Lina and Theo.
Balancing motherhood and a career was important to Lafourcade. While initially staying home with her young children, she soon sought a professional outlet.
“For me it was important to show my kids that mums are able to work and have professional roles,” she stated.
Entrepreneur
As women so often do, Lafourcade adapted to meet her family’s needs, but being a stay-at-home mom was not her long-term plan. “I did struggle at that point. […] It was difficult. […],” she confessed.
To work around their circumstances with young children, she and her British biochemist friend co-founded a French/English bilingual preschool, allowing for a business to flourish alongside their children.
Naysayers suggesting they shouldn’t embark on this venture because they were women, mothers and expats only strengthened their resolve. They ran the successful business for five years, allowing their children to thrive with friends in a nurturing environment.
They secured an employee with early childhood education qualifications. Her friend oversaw the books and finances, and Lafourcade spearheaded communications.
“We were everything — the CEOs and the cleaners,” Lafourcade chuckled.
Once their children were older, the business was sold. Lafourcade then held jobs in recruitment, education (as administrative staff) and manufacturing. Her last job in Switzerland was with Nestlé for five years, serving as an executive assistant to the vice president of Nestlé Skin Health.
As varied as her roles have been, they share a common thread. “In all of my jobs, I’ve always found something where I can use both languages,” she said.
Disaster strikes
In December of 2016, 12-year-old Theo started getting sick. What began with mysterious symptoms like leg and chest pains increased in intensity to the point of tearful nights that landed him in the hospital with a low-grade fever during the family’s trip to the UK in early 2017.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Lafourcade told herself as she spent a milestone birthday in the hospital while Theo underwent a battery of tests. In the meantime, Alain and Lina returned to Switzerland. Lafourcade and Theo stayed behind, hoping for answers that never came.
Ultimately, the decision was made to forward all lab results to Theo’s doctor in Switzerland and return home for further investigation. Lafourcade’s sister, a medical professional, reviewed the labs and harbored concerns.
Amidst uncertainty, Lafourcade took Theo, unwell and tired of being poked and prodded, to the pediatrician upon their return.
After cautioning everyone to remain calm, the doctor’s demeanor changed upon feeling Theo’s enlarged spleen, sending them to the hospital immediately.
It’s leukemia
Reliving the trauma, Lafourcade felt the emotions of Friday, January 13, 2017, surface. The diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Chemotherapy treatments began that same day.
“You don’t get the words that are being said,” Lafourcade confided. “It feels absolutely impossible. This is your healthy, happy, normal kid. How have we gone from that to cancer?”
The port placed in Theo’s chest remained there for the duration of his grueling treatment protocol — over three and a half years.
“Leukemia is tough. You learn a lot very quickly because you’re kind of put on this crazy train going 100 miles an hour,” Lafourcade shared.
Leukemia originates in the bone marrow where a single white blood cell undergoes a mutation and multiplies, triggering abnormal growth and division. The proliferation of abnormal cells crowds out healthy white and red blood cells and platelets.
Lafourcade explained, “Normally white cells defend the body. They’re part of your immune system. Once they’ve mutated, they don’t defend anything. They multiply much too fast, and they don’t die quickly enough.”
Phase one
It was the buildup of leukemia cells within Theo’s bones, especially large bones like the sternum and femur, which created massive pressure and pain. Chemotherapy alleviated his discomfort. However, this intensive phase of treatment made school difficult and brought with it all the usual side effects: hair loss, nausea and lethargy.
Lafourcade speaks highly of the care Theo received at the CHUV: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois. There, a cocktail of drugs was administered one to four times weekly; some administered into the port, some in a 24-hour drip requiring overnight stays. Others required days of saline pre- and post-hydration to avoid an assault on his organs.
As for Theo’s mood, Lafourcade recalls when he’d had enough. “You have to imagine a 12 and a half, 13-year-old. […] At one point he told me he wanted to die. He said, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ It was horrendous for all of us.”
Constantly in and out of the hospital, Lafourcade was unable to work. Her team at Nestlé took on her workload and checked on her regularly.
When the easy part is hard
Nine months into Theo’s relentless treatment, the Lafourcades anticipated the simpler “maintenance” phase, but things unfortunately took a turn for the worse. Frantic testing revealed an intestinal parasite wreaking havoc on Theo’s already weakened immune system.
There was no rest for mother or son. Lafourcade logged each time he vomited or went to the bathroom — up to 15 times per night. Theo was in agony. When the infection spread to his bloodstream, septicemia took hold. His blood pressure was crashing.
“His lungs got the majority of the infection, so there was not enough oxygen getting from his lungs into his blood system,” Lafourcade explained.
In coma
As a last resort, Theo was placed in a coma and put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life support. Mimicking the functions of the heart and lungs, the machine adds oxygen to and removes carbon dioxide from the blood outside of the body and then sends it back into circulation.
“It’s brutal. It’s like open heart surgery. You put two tubes directly onto the heart,” Lafourcade said. At the same time, Theo was on a ventilator for breathing, on dialysis for his failing kidneys and had a tracheotomy to prevent damage to his vocal cords due to extended intubation.
“The machine kept him alive for over three weeks, […] Normally people don’t go on that machine for long because the body is only able to cope with the blood going through this kind of machinery for a short period of time.”
In fact, Theo hemorrhaged multiple times. He needed more blood, fast. Lafourcade recalls doctors sounding an alarm while yelling, “He is empty!” Then she watched as large syringes of blood were injected into tubes connected to his body to boost his blood volume.
A mother’s voice
Having heard that maternal voices can comfort patients and improve their condition, Lafourcade sat by Theo’s side reading to him for the better part of three weeks.
During times when Theo seemed to be “closer to the surface,” his heartrate increased and he exhibited twitching or facial movements. As Lafourcade read to him, she noticed that his agitation would subside.
A rude but astonishing awakening
It was a harrowing decision to take Theo off life support in January. Doctors weren’t sure his heart and lungs could withstand it. He bled profusely, requiring another blood transfusion, but miraculously, he made it.
After nine months of feeling terrible from chemotherapy and being assured it would get easier, he was angry when he woke up. Things were not better.
He’d lost so much muscle mass he could barely sit up. His body was riddled with pressure sores from having been immobile. “He was a little skeleton who couldn’t speak because of the tracheotomy. He was furious. All I could see was this fist by the side of his bed,” Lafourcade recalled.
It took months of daily physiotherapy for Theo to relearn how to sit, stand, walk and grip a pencil.
Coming to America
Just as Theo was transitioning out of the ICU, Alain was offered a position abroad.
“We both said, ‘This feels like something we should look at,’” Lafourcade said. They discussed it with Theo’s doctors first.
They learned that the treatment protocol for leukemia in the U.S. is identical to that of Switzerland. Moreover, his doctors felt the move would benefit Theo psychologically.
The next step was talk to their kids. “I hadn’t even finished my sentence when I was asking Theo, who was 15 at this point and he said, ‘I want to go tomorrow.’”
Lafourcade believes it was the ultimate opportunity for him to leave the nightmare behind and start afresh. Unfortunately, Lina was not as enthusiastic about leaving Switzerland during her senior high school year.
In the U.S., Theo continued his treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital. Lafourcade trusted the capable doctors there implicitly. The American doctors simply picked up where their Swiss counterparts had left off.
Theo rang the bell at the end of his treatment in May 2020, making May of this year a particularly important anniversary. After five years, the likelihood of recurrence is significantly lower. Today, Theo is a sophomore at UGA, interested in studying medicine because he wants to give back.
Boss lady and super mom
The Lafourcades joined the FACC Atlanta upon moving to the U.S. to connect with the French community here. At the gala event of 2021 it was announced that the executive director would be returning to Europe. Acquaintances suggested Lafourcade was made for the job.
The position involves speaking French; it instantly sparked her interest. After doing some research about the role, the nature of non-profit organizations and the mission of the chamber, Lafourcade concluded it would be a good fit. She started in January of 2022.
There was some juggling of car rides, study help and college visits. “You have to be clever with the hours you work. The chamber isn’t a [traditional] 9-to-5. There’s a lot of afterwork stuff. It can be a fairly unusual time frame that I work within, especially with France, you’ve got the six hour time difference,” Lafourcade shared.
She considers herself lucky to have more flexibility than she would in a typical office environment. Some days are long, but her children see the value in what she does, and that motivates Lafourcade.
Her vision is for the chamber to be the “go-to” for any French companies here, all Francophiles in Atlanta and any French companies moving in. She collaborates closely with The Alliance Française and the French Consulate to support the vibrant French community in metro Atlanta.
According to Lafourcade, board members have noted the chamber’s improved position under her leadership over the past three years.
The FACC Atlanta-Southeast was founded in 1985. After highs, lows and multiple changes, they celebrated 40 years this past February. “We’re looking to go onward and upward,” Lafourcade smiled.
Despite talks of tariffs creating challenges, the FACC’s mission remains the same: to provide a soft landing for French companies establishing themselves in the region.
The floodgates open
In May 2022, a significant change occurred: the Food and Drug Administration lifted the “mad cow” (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) restrictions on blood donation for people who had lived or traveled in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland from 1980 onward. The Lafourcades were delighted; they were finally eligible to donate.
“It’s the notion of giving back, it’s community, it’s people in need,” Lafourcade said. “I never thought that I would be in a situation where anonymous blood donors would save my son’s life. And yet, that’s what happened.”
Although it may be human nature to think this type of misfortune only befalls others, Lafourcade feels we must ask ourselves, “What if one day it’s you or your child?” Because human blood can’t be manufactured, we’ll always depend on people’s generosity for it.
Initially, she alerted members of the FACC Atlanta that the rules of blood donation had changed for them. “I’m going to use my voice as the leader of the chamber to get the word out. One side of it is the expat community. Another side is people stopped donating during COVID and haven’t gotten back to it,” she shared.
Lafourcade believes her story can serve to strengthen a sense of community, particularly in a world feeling increasingly uncertain. “We’re in such a weird world right now where everything is scary, and people don’t know what the future holds,” she said.
She focuses on tangible actions people can take to quell that dreadful feeling of helplessness. And, having been on the receiving end of this life-saving practice, she wishes to inspire others to donate.
“Giving blood is free! You can do it several times a year and you will for a fact be helping somebody. It’s a case of helping your neighbor and doing something good if you can.”
Raising awareness
Turning trauma into positive action, Lafourcade feels a sense of duty to host blood drives. My husband and I were donors at her first one last September.
It was a painless, streamlined process. Snacks and refreshments were generously provided. Meeting community members and greeting Lafourcade were perks.
“The first one that you came to … we did a great job. Our goal for the drive was 18 units and we smashed that, we got 34 units,” Lafourcade beamed.
To spread the word beyond the FACC, she is now reaching out to the communities in which she lives and works — Johns Creek and Peachtree Corners respectively — to share her experience and encourage participation.
World Blood Donor Day
Lafourcade is hosting her next Red Cross Blood Drive at Curiosity Lab on World Blood Donor Day, Saturday, June 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and encourages residents to help in whatever way they can.
“I want everybody in Peachtree Corners thinking, ‘I want to do my part.’ If people can’t give blood they can volunteer or help spread the word,” she said.
You can sign up to donate on the FACC Atlanta website or download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app to schedule and manage appointments and follow your blood’s journey to see where it gets used.
A woman in leadership
Katherine Lafourcade — executive director of the French American Chamber of Commerce Atlanta–Southeast, a passionate advocate for cultural and business exchange and a resilient mother — has journeyed from a schoolgirl captivated by the French language to leading a prominent bi-national organization.
Her story is one of determination, adaptability and turning profound personal challenges into a powerful force for good.
For more about the FACC Atlanta-Southeast or to sign up for the June blood drive, visit facc-atlanta.com. You can also connect with the organization on LinkedIn.
City of Peachtree Corners
From the Mayor: Let’s Get Growing – Welcoming the Peachtree Corners Garden Club
With such a botanical sounding name, it’s no wonder that residents of Peachtree Corners are looking to form a garden club. To see if the endeavor would take root, (see what we did there?) members of the Garden Club of Georgia (GCG) held an interest meeting on June 18 at City Hall.
Linda Doiron, third vice president for GCG, and Leanne Penman, chairman of the Norcross Garden Club, led the discussion by giving instructions on how to get started and answering questions about all aspects of membership.
“We have several Peachtree Corners members in our garden club in Norcross that I feel like there is a need here,” said Penman. “You guys have wonderful projects you can work on, so let’s make it a reality through unifying your city, conserving your resources and educating your citizens.”
GCG requirements
GCG requires at least 10 members to charter a club. Annual dues to GCG are $10 for each member, and clubs are allowed to decide what they want to charge for additional membership fees. Much like PTA programs, a portion of the dues goes to a national and state organization.
There is also a regional level comprised of the Deep South states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee) and district levels within each state. The configuration of the districts within the state is a little confusing, however.
Gwinnett County is part of the Laurel District that goes all the way to the Tennessee border. It includes counties such as Forsyth, Hall, Jackson and Barrow, which touch Gwinnett to the north and east, but not Fulton and DeKalb, which are much closer to Peachtree Corners.
Penman said Norcross petitioned GCG to allow them to be part of the Dogwood District that includes Fulton County and had no trouble getting permission.
“It is very structured, and that gives you a lot of benefits. You could form a local club. But with this structure, it ensures success,” said Penman. “It ensures opportunities. And because we have a lot of sharing going on, we suggest if you really want to give it your best effort, having this structure will help engage.”
Both Penman and Doiron agreed that it allows the club to be visible and that helps in finding worthwhile projects.
“We have found this project that’s really beneficial — a garden therapy project,” said Penman. “It may be at an assisted living facility, or we just visited an autism center that has a new, beautiful garden, but there’s just so many opportunities created from our structure and from the sharing.”
What does a garden club do?
The GCG clubs have three defined goals:
“The first goal is beautification, and it’s just to beautify areas and to make it inviting,” said Doiron. “Peachtree Corners already has beautiful plants to do that. The garden club can help with more of that.”
Conservation is the second goal.
“In that respect, one of our biggest conservation efforts right now is the Okefenokee Swamp,” said Doiron. “There’s a group from Alabama that’s trying to mine a certain part of the Okefenokee for a mineral called titanium oxide that’s only used as a paint brightener.”
Penman couldn’t mask her outrage.
“It only makes your whites whiter, and they’re going to destroy the blackwater swamp for that!” she said.
Both women explained that there’s a lot of local effort — much of it from the Garden Club of Georgia — that has enlisted the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who’s looking to extend the boundaries of the swamp an additional 22,000 acres.
This could lead to a potential buyout of the mining project or the establishment of conservation easements, allowing the agency to manage the land for conservation purposes.
“Another thing that happened from our efforts is that UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is in the process of confirming the Okefenokee Swamp as a World Heritage Site,” said Doiron. “That would protect it and make it similar to the Taj Mahal or the Galapagos Islands or the Great Wall of China.”
The club’s third goal is education.
“We have youth programs,” said Penman. “But we also have lots of courses on landscaping, environmental art, flower design. And you can go through that whole series of courses as a member.”
There are also various workshops on things like flower arranging and wreath making, as well as symposiums about subjects such as native plants and wildflowers.
Getting started
One of the attendees, Lori Van Duyne, volunteered to get things started. She’s a certified Master Gardener Extension Volunteer and helps coordinate and lead the garden club at Pinckneyville Middle School.
She has set up an email address and a Facebook page where announcements will be posted. She has also agreed to attend a leadership workshop set for June 25. Although she’ll be the “acting president” for now, Van Duyne said that other time commitments would preclude her from taking the position permanently.
Once the club is formed, there will be an election for leaders. Doiron and Penman emphasized that the president and the treasurer are the most vital in the beginning. And as it goes along, the club may choose its own main focus. Each club is fairly autonomous in that sense.
“You decide how you want to run your club,” said Penman. “At Norcross, we have an annual plant sale. That plant sale helps fund all of the initiatives through the Garden Club of Georgia that we wish to donate to.”
Club funding also comes from member dues and donations, with significant contributions to scholarships. Most clubs meet eight times a year, starting in September. Others take November and December off.
Both women emphasized the benefits of joining, including access to grants, educational resources and a structured hierarchy.
“We don’t always talk about growing plants, which is the main focus for our club,” said Penman. “Other clubs may decide to be an advocacy group. Another club may be focused on floral design. It’s really up to you, and you would put that in your mission statement for your garden club.”
What’s next?
A club meeting is currently scheduled for August 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Peachtree Corners.
Those interested should contact the tentatively named Peachtree Corners Garden Club at peachtreecornersgardenclub@gmail.com.
Van Duyne has also put together an interest form to get a feel for how members would like to run the club and what activities they’d like to focus on: forms.gle/oQ9VvLBPcXcLuVes9.
For updates, you can access club information on its Facebook page at facebook.com/people/Peachtree-Corners-Garden-Club/61577611141785.
Photos provided by Norcross Garden Club and Peachtree Corners Garden Club.
This story can be found in the July/August issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine.
Countries often have honorary consulates in major cities across the United States in the absence of embassies or consulate general offices. Heading them up are not career diplomats, but private citizens known as honorary consuls, selected to represent these foreign countries on a voluntary basis.
Besides attending embassy and consulate events, honorary consuls promote bilateral relations and educational ties, support citizens of the represented country and ease cultural and commercial exchanges. Some also assist with consular matters like emergencies, passport renewals and legal matters. Others focus on advocacy.
Close to home, I recently had the pleasure of meeting the honorary consuls of Monaco, the Czech Republic, Ghana and Barbados. I’m delighted to share their fascinating stories with you!
Doug Heckman
Peachtree Corners’ link to the Principality of Monaco
From a distinguished military career to the high-stakes world of finance, Doug Heckman‘s journey proves that it’s astounding where life can take you. When honeymooning in Monaco 43 years ago, the young lieutenant just out of West Point never could’ve dreamed that one day, from his Amberfield neighborhood, he’d represent the most exclusive playground of the rich and famous, the glamorous second-smallest country in the world, as Honorary Consul of Monaco.
A decorated career
Before embracing his diplomatic role, Heckman served an impressive 30 years in the U.S. Army, both active and reserve, as a Special Forces officer. His active duty tours took him to Germany and Fort Bragg, while reserve assignments saw him in special operations units across South America and the Middle East, including multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A true patriot, Heckman retired as a colonel in 2011, earning accolades such as the Legion of Merit and three Bronze Stars. His extensive military background, which includes Special Forces, ranger and airborne (jumpmaster), as well as Expert Infantry and Combat Action badges, undoubtedly prepared him for diverse challenges.
Beyond his military prowess, Heckman carved out a 30-year career in investment management, culminating in a leadership position with Virtus Investment Partners and working with financial giants like Merrill Lynch.
The allure of Monaco
With the world’s shortest national coastline, Monaco’s total area spans only 514 acres. Yet the sovereign state is synonymous with luxury hotels, high-end shopping, opulent yachts dotting a breathtaking harbor, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. “They bat much bigger than their weight,” Heckman observed.
Monaco is known as a tax haven, attracting the wealthy and famous, including Formula One drivers and sports icons. As Heckman noted, “The tax structure is very friendly.” Since Monaco does not impose personal income tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax on residents, it’s an appealing location for high-net-worth individuals who are able to retain more of their earnings.
America’s fondness for Monaco can be traced to the 1950s when Hollywood star, Grace Kelly, left everything behind to marry Prince Rainier III.
From the U.S. military to Monaco
How did a seasoned American military officer and financial expert become an honorary consul of this European principality situated between the French and Italian Rivieras? Heckman explained that Monaco, a constitutional monarchy, established full diplomatic relations with the U.S. in 2006, eager to expand its global presence.
Heckman’s appointment came through a serendipitous connection with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. Serving on the West Point Board of Advisors, Heckman was asked to escort the prince during a visit to New York for UN Week in 2017. This interaction led to the ambassador’s offer for the retired colonel to take over the honorary consul role in Atlanta.
Despite not being a native Monégasque, his international experience and dedication to service made him an impeccable fit. “As far as the U.S. government is concerned you are a foreign agent of the country you represent,” he clarified, a responsibility he takes seriously, balancing his allegiance to Monaco with his unwavering commitment to the United States.
A fulfilling role
Heckman’s role isn’t a full-time job, but it’s undoubtedly a fun one. He emphasized that promoting Monaco is a joy, “If you’re representing a country, you hope it’s a good one,” he smiled. And a good one it is! Beyond promoting tourism and investment, Heckman’s duties include assisting Monégasque citizens who might encounter issues in the Southeast.
Cultural exchanges are facilitated by Heckman, who assisted in planning stops like Savannah, Disney World and Miami on the itinerary of the Monaco Boys Choir‘s East Coast tour last summer. Recently, he regaled a group from Emory’s Global MBA program visiting Monaco with a chance to meet Prince Albert.
While the position is unpaid, Heckman enjoys the camaraderie with eight other Honorary Consuls of Monaco across the U.S. “It’s a fun group to socialize with,” he shared, mentioning they are typically people of noteworthy standing in their communities.
Some of his eclectic counterparts are Jonathan Warren who runs the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, Greg Lill, vineyard owner in Seattle and billionaire Dick Wolf in Los Angeles, creator of “Law and Order” and its many spin-offs.
Besides attending events like the Princess Grace Foundation Awards in New York or in Los Angeles, there are annual gatherings to stay updated on Monaco’s internal politics and plan joint initiatives. “We’ve become personal friends and communicate often,” Heckman shared.
Cross the entire country on foot!
For those dreaming of a trip to Monaco, Heckman is your go-to expert. He’s full of tips, from where to stay — “$500 gets you a nice hotel room in Monaco” outside of race week — to must-see attractions like the famous Grand Prix circuit, the spectacular aquarium, Musée Océanographique de Monaco and the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo.
He’ll even tell you about Monaco’s surprising ventures into space technology, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournaments and the glitzy Angel Film Awards.
Heckman continues to lead a charmed, multidimensional life. From military hero to financial rainmaker and now a diplomatic representative enjoying his retirement and traveling the world with his spouse, Patricia, Doug Heckman is a testament to embracing new adventures and serving with passion.
If you’re curious about the extravagant world of Monaco or simply want to chat with a fascinating individual, you can reach Honorary Consul, Doug Heckman by email at dougheckman2008@gmail.com.
Fun Monégasque Facts
- The royals in Monaco never become kings or queens. They remain princes and princesses. This practice dates to the 1200s when they didn’t want to offend the king of France whose protection they needed.
- Monaco is building into the Mediterranean to reclaim land from the sea.
- Want to move to Monaco? You’ll need to open a bank account depositing at least €500,000. Then, you’ll need to be able to afford the most expensive real estate in the world per square foot.
- Too small for an airport, Monaco is equipped with a heliport only. The nearest airport is the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France.
- The Monaco Grand Prix Formula One race takes place on the streets of Monaco. The narrow roads make passing difficult, so plans are brewing for a possible expansion that would allow for more overtakes, for the sheer thrill of sports fans.
Monika Vintrlikova
Between Prague and Peachtree Corners
In Lawrenceville resides a remarkable go-getter linking two worlds: Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, Monika Vintrlikova. Her story is one of entrepreneurial spirit, community dedication and a deep-seated commitment to strengthening the ties between her homeland and her adopted American home.
The family business and diplomatic service
Vintrlikova’s path to becoming an honorary consul began in 2013 when she and her husband moved to Atlanta to establish the U.S. manufacturing arm of their family business, ALBAform, in Flowery Branch. Her parents founded the manufacturing company in the Czech Republic 35 years ago.
Emphasizing her appreciation for Gwinnett County, especially for its manufacturing environment and quality schools, Vintrlikova shared, “We found it, we love it. It’s a good place.”
Her honorary consul predecessor, George Novak, a gentleman who immigrated to Atlanta after the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968, approached her because of her support for the local Czech school. This cultural school, established by volunteers in 2013, aims to preserve the Czech language and culture for families in the Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Peachtree Corners and Johns Creek areas.
Novak, who had served as honorary consul since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, recognized Vintrlikova’s dedication. In 2019, due to health reasons, he resigned and recommended her. “I knew exactly what I was getting into,” Monika said, reflecting on their close cooperation and friendship.
The diverse roles of an honorary consul
Vintrlikova’s role as honorary consul is multifaceted, encompassing three key areas.
• Consular Agenda —This is the core responsibility, authorized directly by the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C. Vintrlikova provides crucial support to Czech citizens living in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Her main task involves notarizing Czech documents, a service that saves individuals considerable time and expense.
“They bring me powers of attorney, contracts when they are selling or buying real estate … We are making their life easier,” she explained.
Her official Czech Republic stamp eliminates the need for translations or apostilles. She also facilitates passport services and can issue emergency passports for urgent travel needs. Additionally, she helps with dual citizenship applications for American citizens with Czech heritage, guiding them through the necessary paperwork.
• Economic Diplomacy — Leveraging her manufacturing background, Vintrlikova actively promotes economic ties connecting her two worlds.
“I help Czech businesses come to the U.S. or Georgia businesses go abroad to the Czech Republic,” she said.
This involves organizing trade missions, connecting with companies at trade shows and accompanying the ambassador on visits to Czech businesses in Georgia. She views this as a natural extension of her own business interests.
• Public Diplomacy — This aspect focuses on cultivating Czech culture, connections and fostering exchanges. Whether it’s supporting a Czech movie at a European film festival or helping with student exchange programs like the one bringing Czech students to SCAD for summer seminars, Vintrlikova is dedicated. “I would like to get more exchanges going between universities. It’s connecting two worlds that I like,” she emphasized.
While her position is voluntary and unfunded, including office expenses and travel, Vintrlikova sees its immense potential.
Peachtree Corners: The new hub for Czechs
Vintrlikova recently moved her consular office to Peachtree Corners, drawn by the vibrant atmosphere of Atlanta Tech Park. “You could feel the energy of the ecosystem,” she said. This move positions her office alongside a new Czech business incubator, which she is actively promoting.
Despite a demanding schedule, splitting her time between the U.S. and the Czech Republic, Vintrlikova thrives in her role. “I like my life going back and forth. I like to keep the connections on both sides. It’s fun,” she concluded, emphasizing the warm, welcoming nature she finds in both her native and adopted “southeasts.”
Vintrlikova’s devotedness ensures that the Czech Republic has an effective advocate in the heart of Georgia.
Contact Monika Vintrlikova, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic at 107 Technology Parkway, Suite 407 Atlanta Tech Park in Peachtree Corners or by phone at (404) 433-1400. Her email address is consul@czechconsulate.com.
Fun Czech Facts
- The word “robot” was coined by Czech writer, Karel Čapek.
- The Czech Republic is the world’s top consumer of beer per capita.
- Slovakia supported Hitler in WWII, which played a role in the initial dismemberment of Czechoslovakia in 1939. The split in 1993 into the Czech Republic and Slovakia resulted from a combination of economic, political and cultural factors. It was a peaceful event.
Yvonne Horsley McCowin
Deep roots in Ghana, strong bonds in Georgia
Born in Ghana, Yvonne Horsley McCowin moved to the United States as a child, growing up in Maryland and later Virginia. Her father, a diplomat and Minister of Information, instilled in her a global perspective and a commitment to service.
Though she’s lived in the U.S. for decades, Yvonne cherishes her Ghanaian heritage. “The minute I touched down in Ghana after 20 years, I felt instantly at home,” she recalled.
When Horsley McCowin stepped into her role last November as Georgia’s first Honorary Consul of Ghana, she wasn’t a stranger to serving her community. She had served for years as the President of the Ghana Council of Georgia. “I’ve always wanted to do something good for my country,” she said.
Her trailblazing journey began in 2015 when the Ghanaian president envisioned expanding honorary consulates across the United States. Yvonne knew she was the right candidate. What started as an uphill battle — years of proposals, resubmissions and government transitions — culminated in her appointment eight years later.
Reflecting on her perseverance, Horsley McCowin added, “It took a while, but persistence was key.”
From parking prowess to real estate enthusiast
Before diving into real estate, Horsley McCowin spent 25 years in the parking industry, managing customer relations and coordinating with city officials.
“Parking should be friendly, not free,” she remarked, recounting her experience bridging the gap between governments who appreciate the revenue stream and constituents who don’t love parking tickets.
Her pivot to real estate came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she specializes in residential properties in Atlanta and surrounding areas, enjoying the direct relationship with clients.
“You’re helping folks; they’re happy, you’re happy — it’s win-win for all.”
Breaking barriers, building bridges
Being the first honorary consul comes with its challenges, but Horsley McCowin approaches them with determination and grace. Her role spans everything from facilitating visas and passport renewals to procuring legal guidance, connecting businesses and fostering economic and cultural exchanges.
“I’m trying to connect with businesses that might want to go to Ghana to invest,” she enthused. She’s hoping to negotiate a “sister airport deal” with Ghana and Atlanta’s airport. Tourism is also important to her.
“I’m a big proponent of seeing the world outside of where you live,” she stated, actively working on student exchange programs to offer young people a taste of Ghanaian culture and to foster global friendships. Similarly, she’s making efforts to send legislators from Georgia to Ghana and vice versa.
Celebrating Ghanaian culture and cuisine
Ask her about Ghana, and Horsley McCowin lights up with excitement. “Ghana is the friendliest country in Africa, and there’s no food like any Ghanaian dish,” she beamed. From jollof rice to fufu, Ghana’s culinary scene is rich and diverse.
She recommends local favorites in Atlanta, like Ike’s Cafe and Grill and Quabena’s Kitchen, where authentic Ghanaian flavors shine.
Summarizing Ghanaian hospitality with a fun tidbit, she revealed, “Ghana is the only place I know where you can show up uninvited to somebody’s house and they say, ‘Oh, here you are! Come on in.’”
Looking ahead
Honorary Consul of Ghana, Yvonne Horsley McCowin is an ardent advocate for Ghana, tirelessly working to create opportunities.
If you’re looking for assistance with travel to Ghana or curious about this vibrant West African nation, you can reach her office in Duluth at 3855 Postal Drive, Suite 100 or by phone at (770) 688-0245. You can also email her at yvonne@ghanaconsulateatlanta.com.
“I’m wholeheartedly trying to get people to visit or learn about Ghana,” she affirmed. And her dedication shines through in every interaction.
Fun Ghanaian Facts
- Ghana is a leading exporter of cocoa in the world.
- Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence.
David Cutting
A life of global service: Honorary Consul of Barbados
Ever wondered what it’s like to promote a slice of Caribbean heaven on Earth? Just ask David Cutting, the Honorary Consul of Barbados. While music superstar Rihanna may be one of the best-known Barbadian ambassadors, Cutting has been on a decade-long escapade “promoting paradise,” as he so cheerfully puts it.
From international banker to diplomatic envoy
Cutting’s professional life is defined by a quarter-century of international banking while crisscrossing the globe.
“Fourteen of those years in Asia and 10 in Africa,” he recounted, with stops in bustling Hong Kong, Singapore and — as the CEO for Standard Chartered Bank — across Nigeria, Uganda and Botswana. His wife of 45 years, Heather, and their three children embraced the exposure to new countries and cultures with every move.
In a twist of fate, Cutting’s assignment to Nigeria meant he was in Lagos instead of the World Trade Center during the tragic events of 9/11.
After a distinguished career, he landed in Atlanta in 2011, making St Marlo Country Club in Duluth his home. His consulting business leverages his worldwide financial experience.
“I’m focusing on businesses interested in investing in emerging markets in Asia, Africa or the Caribbean,” he said, underscoring the importance of corporations including board members with residential and working experience in those markets.
Promoting paradise
The call to serve the country of Barbados came in 2015 when a friend, Dr. Edward Layne, who held the honorary consul position for 22 years, asked him to step into the role. Cutting did not hesitate to reconnect with his roots; it was a sort of homecoming for him.
“I have always felt like the prodigal son who left Barbados at the age of 18 … The honorary consul role gave me the opportunity to give back to my country,” he said.
“It is not painful to be responsible for promoting paradise. Barbados is not difficult to sell,” Cutting quipped. His mission? To showcase Barbados as a prime spot for both dazzling vacations and smart investments.
Tourism reigns supreme, drawing visitors to its rich history, stunning beaches and food, rum and jazz festivals, as well as to Crop Over festivities, Barbados’ version of Carnival.
Cutting is always eager to highlight Barbados’ robust international business platform, offering a “low tax environment” for savvy companies establishing a presence there, thanks to favorable dual taxation arrangements with over 40 countries.
Beyond the beaches
Cutting proudly declares Barbados “the gem of the Caribbean,” boasting its status as “one of the safest places” with a surprisingly high per-capita income for its cozy population of around 300,000.
The island nation, independent since 1966 and a republic since 2021, is always evolving. During the pandemic, Barbados innovated with a “12-month visa” for remote workers, proving you truly can conduct business “with a laptop on the beach.”
Beyond his promotional duties, Cutting serves as a crucial link for the Barbadian diaspora in Georgia. He works closely with local organizations and other honorary consuls in the Southeast. He also finds time to serve as treasurer on the board of the Atlanta Consular Corps.
“It’s important for us to share with each other. We’re all focused on the FIFA World Cup coming to Atlanta next year, working closely with the World Cup organization and the Metro Chamber to ensure visitors are properly accommodated and safe,” he shared.
A key initiative, “commercial diplomacy,” involves seeking business opportunities for Barbados, scholarship opportunities for Barbadian students and training programs in the hospitality sector.
“Barbados has a 98% literacy rate. It’s one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Education is hugely important to us,” he proudly stated.
Student exchange programs are prevalent. Globally recognized medical schools like Ross University School of Medicine attract American and other foreign students who don’t mind spending a term in Barbados where “it’s sunshine every day, the sea is blue, and the sand is white.”
To the Land of the Flying Fish!
Has Barbados piqued your interest? Contact the knowledgeable Honorary Consul, David Cutting by email at atlbarbadosconsulate@gmail.com or by phone at (678) 907-5887. He’ll be delighted to speak with you.
With direct flights from Atlanta, your journey to this coral island’s charm is closer than you think.
Fun Barbadian Facts
- Established in Barbados in 1703, Mount Gay Rum is the oldest running rum distillery.
- Barbados is the only place outside of the United States that George Washington ever visited. He accompanied his ailing brother there in 1751, hoping the warm weather would cure his tuberculosis. It did not. Washington contracted and survived smallpox during his stay, achieving immunity. That’s how he survived the smallpox outbreak during the Revolutionary War when many of his troops succumbed to the disease.
- Some of the first governors in the Carolinas were expatriate plantation owners from Barbados. Hence, the Gullah language spoken by the Gullah Geechee people of Georgia and the Carolinas shares linguistic connections with the Bajan dialect of Barbados.
- The banking industry in Barbados is largely dominated by Canadian banks.
- The Barbados dollar has a fixed exchange rate with the U.S. dollar. One U.S. dollar equals two Barbados dollars, every day, since 1975.
- Cou-cou, served with steamed or fried flying fish, is the national dish of Barbados. Similar to polenta, cou-cou is made with corn meal and okra. As one might imagine, Barbadian cuisine features fresh seafood.
Jewels of our community
Each of these private citizens shares a thrill in joining cultures, a story that is a testament to the power of international experience and, for most, the enduring call of one’s homeland.
As honorary consuls, they have an inherent desire to serve while championing the countries they represent at their own expense, ensuring their beauty and opportunities are known far and wide.
A version of this article can be found in the July/August issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine.
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