Skyland Trail’s 18th Annual Associates Spring Luncheon Unites Atlanta Leaders in Support of Mental Health

Atlanta, GA – Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized nonprofit residential mental health treatment organization for adults and adolescents, recently hosted the 18th annual Associates Spring Luncheon. More than 350 guests attended the event at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta on Friday, March 14, 2025. The event’s keynote speaker was Kevin Hines, a passionate public speaker and advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. In addition to advancing community understanding about suicide and mental health, the luncheon raised more than $149,000 to support Skyland Trail psychiatric treatment  programs for adults and teens.

The 2025 Spring Associates Luncheon was co-chaired by Associates President Juanita Markwalter and Associates Vice President Nola Stull. The Skyland Trail Associates, a group of Atlanta women leaders, raises money to support Skyland Trail through the Associates Spring Luncheon and through membership and fundraising efforts throughout the year. Annually, at their fall meeting, Associates help select how the funds will be directed to enhance Skyland Trail psychiatric treatment programs.

Keynote speaker Kevin Hines is a best-selling author, global public speaker, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness and the ability to survive pain with true resilience.

“What a great day, with some incredible movers and shakers in the fields of brain and mental health—saving and changing lives every day,” says Hines. “Skyland Trail, thank you for having me. What a gift! You’re doing incredible work to give back to folks just like me.”

The 2025 Spring Associates Luncheon was made possible by Leadership sponsors CIBC Private Wealth, First Horizon, Denise and Joe DeAngelo, and the Shaifer Family. Gold sponsors included: Atlanta Fine Homes | Sotheby’s International Realty, Home Luxury Real Estate, Nancy Patterson and Carolyn Patterson, Juanita Markwalter, Nola Stull, and Betsy West. Silver sponsors included: Laura Alby, Eleanor Hunt and Rhett Blair, Nan Easterlin, Anna M. Paré M.D. – Dermatology Consultants, Karen Parker, Leigh Pollard & Kim Marks, Patty Reid, and Diana Tipton. The Atlantan served as a media sponsor.

Information on joining the Skyland Trail Associates and upcoming events can be found here.