Message from the Founder
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Make A Difference Foundation’s (MADF) online site. Please take a few moments to tour our website… learn more about our history, goals, accomplishments, and vision. This is also your one-stop source for the latest news and details concerning upcoming events. My increasing faith in GOD has shown me that if you are looking for change, or looking for a miracle, you need look no further than your own heart and never doubt your abilities.
Mark 10:45 reads, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many”. Since our inception in August 2003, the dedicated and compassionate men and women of MADF have donated their time, energy, and talents to “serving” our community by bringing joy and opportunity to children in need.
From providing clothing, recreational equipment, and financial support to numerous youth shelters throughout the Atlanta Metro Area, supporting youth mentoring and self-esteem initiatives organized by local public schools, and teaming with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for the less fortunate – to providing educational supplies and uniforms to children shelters in Ghana, Africa. The success of our grassroots efforts has been precise, far-reaching, and nothing short of miraculous.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Leo C. Rosten, who once wrote, “I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” Although our accomplishments have been many, there’s still much more to do in order to ensure our children have the future they desire, need, and deserve.
These challenges may be steep and at times seem insurmountable. However, as I reflect on our history, I have no doubt that together we can overcome all negative circumstances; that for every obstacle births equal opportunity… opportunity for us to matter, to count, and truly “make a difference” in a child’s life. Thank you in advance for supporting our efforts to make a difference.
Be Well,
Donovan R. Quary, Sr.,
Chairman/Founder
Our Mission
MADF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural, educational, economic, and social enrichment of underprivileged youth. Our goal is to revive hope, teach life-changing skills, and provide the love and attention our children need in order to become upstanding citizens in our society.
Our Vision
Our organization envisions a world where children and youth get an equal opportunity to succeed at achieving their dreams.
Board Of Directors
MADF and its supporters comprise young, committed, enthusiastic, and promising professionals from areas of education, computer technology, science, finance, law, marketing, and entertainment. We also have members that are top executives from Fortune 500 companies. With over 25 years of combined professional and management experience, we have all come together for one purpose—to help children in need.
Donovan Quary, Sr.
Founder/Executive Director, MADF
Howard Lemons
SVP, Director Treasury Services Product Management, Ameris Bank
Sharon Quary, MS
Director, Newborn Screening Program, Northside Hospital
Jammie Harden
Director, Financial Services, GEFA
Gary Andrews
Sr. Attorney The Cochran Firm
Deshedra Lanier, Community Affairs, MADF
Malika Terry, MBA
VP, Total Rewards UPS
Petrina Benton
Director, Human Resources, FHLBATL
About Donovan R. Quary, Sr.
Donovan Quary is MADF’s Founder and Executive Director. He believes that every adult has an inherent responsibility to help nurture and educate our youth. Because of this and after hearing the story of a Florida teenager who shot and killed his teacher, then killed himself, Donovan was inspired to establish MADF. Although he was not yet a parent himself at the time, Donovan realized that he could no longer ignore our children’s cries for guidance and help.
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Called to Serve. Empowered to Make a Difference
Donovan is no stranger to service. After finishing high school, he attended the University of Georgia, where he studied computer science. However, due to his eagerness to serve his country and explore and discover the world, he decided to leave the university after two years to enlist in the US Navy during Operation Desert Storm.
While he was stationed in San Diego, Donovan served respectfully and honorably for four years in many capacities. He worked with the Airborne Early Warning E-2C Squadron VAW-1116 at Naval Air Station Miramar, Helicopter Squadron 45 at Naval Air Station North Island, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation CV-64. Upon returning to Georgia, he continued his military service in the US Naval Reserve.
Ironically, working with MADF was the one that made Donovan ultimately understand God’s purpose for his life, which was to “serve” others. And since his inception in MADF in 2003, he has dedicated his time and efforts passionately to ensure all youth have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams. Donovan increases his community outreach further as a member of Ancient York Masons’ J.C. McKibbon Lodge No. 3 in Atlanta, GA.
Long after his honorable discharge from the military, Donovan is still serving his country. Donovan now lives in Georgia with his wife, Sharon, and son, DJ. He is originally from Lakeland, Florida.
About Howard F. Lemons
Howard F. Lemons is the current Ameris Bank Treasury Services’ Senior Vice President and Head of Product Management. He is responsible for the end-to-end development, execution, and performance of Treasury Services’ products, which include the business online banking application, mobile banking, ACH, wire, positive pay, lockbox, remote deposit, and commercial card.
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With more than 23 years of banking experience, Howard’s career started in 1997 with Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), where he led their lockbox operations. He managed a wholesale lockbox team and became the site manager for Wachovia Bank’s retail lockbox operations in Atlanta.
After seven years at Wachovia, Howard later joined SunTrust Bank (now Truist) as a lockbox product developer. He worked in this company for over thirteen years and held various positions, including lockbox product manager, treasury and payment solutions department’s head of treasury sales support, head of implementations, and head of product planning, development, and vendor management.
From March 2017 until October 2020, he was Renasant Bank’s product manager, overseeing payments, business digital banking applications, frauds, and commercial cards. Each position he held helped turn Howard into a unique expert in all aspects of treasury management functions.
In addition, Howard is a native of Atlanta, GA, and has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and Mercer University, respectively. Also, Howard is a Georgia Bulldog fanatic. He, his wife, April, and son, Nicholas, have been football season ticket holders for quite a while.
Finally, Howard also spends time serving as Chairman of the MADF, helping provide higher education scholarships to Metro Atlanta’s graduating seniors. MADF also has other scholarship programs that support the organization’s vision of teaching life-changing skills, reviving hope, and providing the love and attention children need to become upstanding citizens in our society.