Hala Moddelmog President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center
Hala Moddelmog is the President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, one of Atlanta’s premier cultural institutions. With over 30 years of leadership experience across various sectors, Moddelmog has developed a reputation for transforming organizations and driving results. Her career has included high-level roles in both the corporate world and nonprofit organizations, where she has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
Moddelmog assumed her current position in September 2020. Prior to joining the Woodruff Arts Center, she served as the first female President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, where she represented a broad range of businesses, including 15 Fortune 500 companies. During her nearly six years at the Chamber, she worked to promote economic growth and development in the region, positioning Atlanta as a hub for business and innovation.
Before her time at the Chamber, Moddelmog was President of Arby’s Restaurant Group, a division of Wendy’s Arby’s Group. In this role, she led the company through a period of significant change and growth. Her ability to manage large-scale organizations and focus on both financial performance and community impact became a hallmark of her leadership style.
Moddelmog’s career also includes a notable tenure as President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. Under her leadership, Komen achieved its first Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, recognizing the organization’s effective governance and financial health. Moddelmog’s contributions to the nonprofit sector extended to her work as President of Church’s Chicken, where she became the first female president of the international QSR chain. From 1995 to 2004, she led a major brand transformation, revitalizing the company and positioning it for future success.
In addition to her professional career, Moddelmog has long been involved in Atlanta’s arts and culture scene. She has volunteered at the Woodruff Arts Center for more than a decade, serving on the Governing Board since 2017 and as a Trustee since 2011. She was also a member of the Alliance Theatre Board of Directors from 2011 to 2020 and co-chaired the Alliance Theatre Board from 2017 to 2019. Her dedication to the arts has been a driving force in her leadership at the Woodruff Arts Center, where she works to ensure its continued success and growth.
Moddelmog is also an active participant in Atlanta’s nonprofit sector. She serves as a director on the boards of Corpay (NYSE:CPAY) and Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW), both of which are prominent in their industries. Additionally, she is involved with Midtown Alliance and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. At Children’s Healthcare, she chairs the Quality Committee, working to ensure the highest standards of care for children in the region.
In recognition of her career achievements, Moddelmog was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Georgia Southern University in 2007. She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University. Moddelmog has further refined her leadership skills through executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Management, where she focused on board leadership and director development.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Moddelmog enjoys a fulfilling family life in Ansley Park, Atlanta, with her husband, Steve. They have two adult children, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. Her commitment to her family, community, and career is a testament to her leadership philosophy, which centers on making a positive impact wherever she goes. Through her work at the Woodruff Arts Center and beyond, Moddelmog continues to inspire others to lead with purpose, dedication, and a focus on long-term success.
Q. Could you share some advice or a guiding principle that has significantly influenced your professional journey? How does this advice align with or enhance your role and responsibilities at the Woodruff Arts Center?
A. I have spent more than 30 years in President and CEO roles at Church’s Chicken, Arby’s Restaurant Group, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and now at the Woodruff Arts Center. The one truth that continues to resonate is this: Relationships drive everything. There has rarely been a challenge or significant hurdle I’ve faced in my career that couldn’t be solved through strong partnerships. Especially as a nonprofit leader, I see firsthand how true and meaningful partnerships can drive true and meaningful change. There’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you have the right people by your side.
