Celebrating Powerhouse Women salutes and recognizes women who are making an impact, whether it’s in business, philanthropy, public service, or elsewhere.
Aura-Leigh Sanders/Gwinnett Community Arts Leader
A Georgia native, Aura-Leigh Sanders was born in Macon and grew up on her family’s 250-year-old farm in Eatonton with two younger brothers and lots of animals. After graduating from Gatewood Academy, she started college at Mercer University, where she has deep roots: Her great-great-great grandfather was the first Mercer President, Billington McCarthy Sanders.
Currently the Owner and Director of the Dizzy Gypsy Art Gallery, Aura-Leigh graduated with a BS in Psychology from Georgia College & State University and studied art history and architecture as part of Georgia Tech Lorraine’s Study Abroad program in Metz, France. As part of her degree, she interned at Marietta RYDC as a Juvenile Detention Counselor, where she learned “in the trenches” counseling skills that informed her decision to go to graduate school, where she earned her Masters in IT from AIU with the goal of blending psychology with technology.
From there she became the Director of the Internet Specialist Program at Lanier Technical College for five years, where she learned the ropes of the post-secondary education world and taught students of all ages, from 16 to 73 years old. In 2006, Aura-Leigh joined the corporate world as a UX designer for clients like AT&T, Sony, United Health Care, US Bankcorp, Hilton, Red Bull, and others. In 2014, while still continuing her corporate career, she took over the newly-founded Dizzy Gypsy Local Awesomeness & Creative Studio on the Lawrenceville Square as a volunteer Director and became active in the local community.
She recently served as the Business Operations Director for Local Restaurant Group (Local Republic, Strange Taco Bar, LR Burger, and Laundry Events) and continues to organize Dizzy Gypsy events featuring local art and artists at Gwinnett businesses and venues.
Aura-Leigh has lived in Lawrenceville since 2002 with her husband and two children, a daughter attending Georgia State University and a son in high school, both of whom are active musicians and artists.
Celebrating Powerhouse Women is presented by
