“My grandmother left a full-time job in order to pursue her own version of success. This happened during a time when Black people were told that they should be grateful for their jobs and should not “rock the boat”. She refused and took steps to chart her own path and to live life on her own terms. After leaving her full-time job, Autrie Wilkerson became the owner of several businesses including, gas stations, convenience stores and nightclubs. My grandmother passed away in 2018 and now that I am a parent of two girls, I am continuously reminded of what it means to choose self-love and purpose even when it might not be as clear to other people. I want that choice for my daughters. This means that everyday, I have to both identify and work to reimagine systems that restrict choice and opportunity for people.”

• Before joining Edgility, Nautrie led the Teach for America Metro Atlanta Program team where she increased employee engagement and retention through centering equity, relationships, learning and impact.
• As the Head of Program, Nautrie led cross-functional projects aimed at increasing team-wide efficiency, launched a regional hardship fund for teachers experiencing unexpected emergencies, built a coaching model designed to support novice teachers and established partnerships with schools and organizations.
• Nautrie holds a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Texas Womans University.

Nautrie lives just north of Atlanta (Roswell), in Georgia with her husband and two children. Together, they spend lots of time watching soccer, playing the latest family board games or hanging out on their back porch listening to music. She also spends time watching the latest binge worthy TV shows and catching up with friends and family.