Skip to content

 

THE
COCA-COLA SCHOLARS
BANQUET

2026 laurel_shortest - flip

CELEBRATING THE 2026 CLASS OF COCA-COLA SCHOLARS

GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL

CONVENTION CENTER

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

RECEPTION 6PM | DINNER 7PM

 

THE COCA-COLA SCHOLARS BANQUET

2026 laurel_shortest - flip

 

 

CELEBRATING THE 2026 CLASS OF COCA-COLA SCHOLARS

 

 

GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026

RECEPTION 6PM | DINNER 7PM

Coca-Cola 26 Web Banner
Coca-Cola 26 Web Banner

 

 

 

WELCOME

John Murphy, President & CFO
The Coca-Cola Company

 

 

PROCESSION

2026 Coca-Cola Scholars

 

 

RECOGNITIONS

Jane Hale Paulsen, President
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
&
Kirk Tyler, CCSF Board Chair
Chair, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company

 

 

REFLECTIONS

H.L. "Sandy" Williams
Chair, Coca-Cola Bottling Works
&
Claude Nielsen
Chair, Coca-Cola UNITED

 

 

INVOCATION

Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, 1989 Scholar
VP, Global Housing Opportunities & Mission Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International

 

 

DINNER

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF HONORED GUEST

Angela Harrell, 1996 Scholar
SVP, Chief Purpose, Talent, & Inclusion Officer; Voya Financial
President, Voya Foundation

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Hoda Kotb
Journalist, Author, & CEO

 

 

CLOSING REMARKS

Jane Hale Paulsen, President
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

 

 

PERFORMANCE

Christian Beck, 2020 Scholar
Musician & Filmmaker

 

 

Honored Guest

Honored Guest

HODA KOTB

Journalist, Author, & CEO

HODA KOTB

Journalist, Author, & CEO

Hoda Kotb_Headshot_Transparent_2025.08.27

Hoda Kotb has claimed her role as one of America’s foremost journalists, authors, and entertainers. Most well known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she is also the host of the popular podcast, Making Space with Hoda Kotb, and founder of a new wellness community and platform, Joy 101. Kotb joined TODAY as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently departed following 17 successful years with the show.

Since joining NBC News in 1998, Kotb has served as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She has covered a wide variety of domestic and international stories across all NBC News platforms, as well as numerous human-interest stories and features.

She covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a story personal to Kotb, who lived in New Orleans for six years. Additionally, she reported on the war in Iraq, the conflict in the West Bank and Gaza, and the War on Terror in Afghanistan. Kotb was a part of the network’s extensive coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, 2012 Summer Olympics in London, 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written nine books: You Are My Happy; I’ve Loved You Since Forever; Where We Belong; Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives; Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee; I Really Needed This Today; This Just Speaks to Me; Hope is a Rainbow. Her newest book, Jump and Find Joy, will be released September 23, 2025.

Kotb was recognized with a 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host for her work on TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda. In 2010, 2011, and 2012, Kotb was awarded Daytime Emmys as part of TODAY’s recognition as the best morning news program. In 2022, Kotb was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and she received a Gracie Award for On-Air News Talent. In 2021, she was recognized by New York Women in Communications with the Matrix Award for her excellence in broadcast journalism.

In 2016 and 2018, she received Gracie Awards for Outstanding Host in Entertainment/Information for her radio show, The Hoda Show on SiriusXM. In 2015, she was honored with a Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in News/Non-fiction and a Webby Award for her ‘Truly Brave’ music video, which focuses on pediatric cancer. Kotb received additional Gracie Awards in 2008 and 2003, the Alfred I. duPont –Columbia University award in 2008, a Peabody Award in 2006 for her “Dateline NBC” report, “The Education of Ms. Groves,” and a 2002 Edward R. Murrow Award.

Prior to joining NBC News, Kotb worked at WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans, from 1992 to 1998 as an anchor and reporter for the 10 p.m. news broadcast. From 1989 to 1991, she was a weekend anchor and reporter for WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida.

Kotb graduated from Virginia Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism. She resides in the suburbs of New York City with her two daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.

Hoda Kotb has claimed her role as one of America’s foremost journalists, authors, and entertainers. Most well known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she is also the host of the popular podcast, Making Space with Hoda Kotb, and founder of a new wellness community and platform, Joy 101. Kotb joined TODAY as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently departed following 17 successful years with the show.

 

Since joining NBC News in 1998, Kotb has served as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She has covered a wide variety of domestic and international stories across all NBC News platforms, as well as numerous human-interest stories and features.

 

She covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a story personal to Kotb, who lived in New Orleans for six years. Additionally, she reported on the war in Iraq, the conflict in the West Bank and Gaza, and the War on Terror in Afghanistan. Kotb was a part of the network’s extensive coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, 2012 Summer Olympics in London, 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

 

A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written nine books: You Are My Happy; I’ve Loved You Since Forever; Where We Belong; Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives; Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee; I Really Needed This Today; This Just Speaks to Me; Hope is a Rainbow. Her newest book, Jump and Find Joy, will be released September 23, 2025.

 

Kotb was recognized with a 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host for her work on TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda. In 2010, 2011, and 2012, Kotb was awarded Daytime Emmys as part of TODAY’s recognition as the best morning news program. In 2022, Kotb was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and she received a Gracie Award for On-Air News Talent. In 2021, she was recognized by New York Women in Communications with the Matrix Award for her excellence in broadcast journalism.

 

In 2016 and 2018, she received Gracie Awards for Outstanding Host in Entertainment/Information for her radio show, The Hoda Show on SiriusXM. In 2015, she was honored with a Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in News/Non-fiction and a Webby Award for her ‘Truly Brave’ music video, which focuses on pediatric cancer. Kotb received additional Gracie Awards in 2008 and 2003, the Alfred I. duPont –Columbia University award in 2008, a Peabody Award in 2006 for her “Dateline NBC” report, “The Education of Ms. Groves,” and a 2002 Edward R. Murrow Award.

 

Prior to joining NBC News, Kotb worked at WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans, from 1992 to 1998 as an anchor and reporter for the 10 p.m. news broadcast. From 1989 to 1991, she was a weekend anchor and reporter for WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

Kotb graduated from Virginia Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism. She resides in the suburbs of New York City with her two daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.

The 2026 Coca-Cola Scholars
The 2026 Coca-Cola Scholars
2026 laurel_shortest

Featured Coca-Cola Scholar Alumni

Featured Coca-Cola Scholar Alumni

Rev. Natosha Reid Rice
1989 Scholar
Invocation
VP, Global Housing Opportunities & Mission Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International
Rev. Natosha Reid Rice
1989 Scholar
Invocation
VP, Global Housing Opportunities & Mission Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International

Natosha Reid Rice is a highly recognized transformational leader, global equity and inclusion strategist, attorney and impactful preacher.
She is currently Habitat for Humanity International’s Vice President of Housing Opportunities and Mission Engagement (HOME) and is leading the development and execution of Habitat’s global
HOME strategy.

Previously, as Associate General Counsel at Habitat, Natosha initiated and managed financing programs and strategies to generate sources of capital to enable Habitat affiliates to build affordable housing with families throughout the U.S.

In addition to her work at Habitat, Natosha served as an Associate Pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta for 11 years before now serving as the Minister for Public Life at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA.

Natosha puts her passion into action by serving on the following boards: the Executive Committee of the global Harvard Alumni Association, International Women’s Forum (GA chapter), Goodwill of North Georgia, the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, The Redress Movement (Board Co-Chair), the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership Inc. (ANDP), and Out of Hand Theater (Advisory).

In addition, her work with other activists and advocacy organizations to pass legislation and policies to protect victims of human sex trafficking in Georgia led to the passage of the Safe Harbor/Rachel’s Law (2015) and a state Constitutional Amendment (2016) to create the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and Commission.

She is also a highly regarded keynote speaker, presider and workshop facilitator for global corporations and non-profit organizations covering topics such as the power of authentic leadership, effective equity and inclusion strategies, the intersection of faith and justice, the power and impact of privilege, equity and inclusion, race and gender justice, and community empowerment. Natosha has presided over the annual National Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service for the past 8 years and delivered her TEDx talk - “If We Are More Alike Than Unalike, Then…” for TEDx Centennial Park Women.

Natosha has received recognition and awards for her work and leadership including: the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys’ Barbara A. Harris Award for Service to the Community, the International Service Award from Henry County Rotary Club, the Atlanta Business Chronicles’ Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer, the Atlanta Tribune’s 50 Women of Excellence, one of Atlanta’s 100 Most Influential Women by the Atlanta Business League for multiple consecutive years, the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers, the Circle of Friends Pearl Award and the Church Women United’s Outstanding Young Woman.

Natosha is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an Associate Mother in the Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc. She was also a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2014 and a fellow in the 2017-2018 International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation Fellows Program with 35 women from 14 nations.

Natosha received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A. in Government with honors from Harvard/Radcliffe College where she was a Harvard/Radcliffe Class Marshall and awarded the Captain Jonathan Fay Prize (Radcliffe’s Highest Honor) and the E.P. Saltonstall Prize.

In her free time, Natosha enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband, Corey, and their adult children Kayla, Malachi and Caleb.

Angela Harrell
1991 Scholar
Introduction of Honored Guest
SVP, Chief Purpose, Talent & Inclusion Officer, Voya Financial & President, Voya Foundation
Angela Harrell
1991 Scholar
Introduction of Honored Guest
SVP, Chief Purpose, Talent & Inclusion Officer, Voya Financial & President, Voya Foundation
Angela joined Voya Financial in 2014 and serves as senior vice president, Chief Purpose, Talent & Inclusion Officer and President, Voya Foundation. Angela’s “Purpose, Talent & Inclusion,” department comprises six teams (Impact & Culture; Inclusion & Culture; Corporate Responsibility; Leadership Development; Talent Management; and Voya Foundation) and helps drive greater social, financial, and health well-being for three key stakeholders: colleagues, clients and communities.​
The team brings Voya’s purpose to life—Together, we fight for everyone’s opportunity for a better financial future—by providing the knowledge, opportunity and motivation to create positive change. This includes creating an inclusive, high‑performing and purpose-led culture; partnering with customers to improve health and financial outcomes at their organizations; and strengthening communities through financial resilience programs, volunteerism, and philanthropy.​
Giving back is core to the employee experience at Voya, with more than 77% of employees volunteering and 72% of employees donating to charities. This is three times the average participation rate for the industry. In addition to this distinction, Voya has been named to the Disability Index since 2018, the Corporate Equality Index since 2006, and the Dow Jones Best in Class North America Index since 2016.​
Prior to joining Voya Financial, Angela spent 12 years at The Coca-Cola Company, where she led initiatives across a broad range of disciplines including corporate responsibility, financial and sustainability reporting, media relations, internal and executive communications, digital/social media, public/community affairs and stakeholder engagement. Her final position was as global director of operations, Coca-Cola Ambassador. ​
Angela’s professional experience also includes being a global magnet school program lead, an executive recruiter, a business analyst and and an English as a Second Language teacher. She has worked, lived or studied in nine countries and her travels have taken her all over the world. Angela grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and Weimaraner.​
Christian Beck
2020 Scholar
Musical Performance
Filmmaker, Singer-Songwriter, & Pediatric Cancer Advocate
Christian Beck
2020 Scholar
Musical Performance
Filmmaker, Singer-Songwriter, & Pediatric Cancer Advocate

Christian Beck is a proud 2020 Coca-Cola Scholar and currently a first year med student at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine.

As a filmmaker, singer-songwriter, and pediatric cancer advocate, he first experienced the power of storytelling after creating a film for his sister, diagnosed with brain cancer at age seven.

He went on to develop the award-winning “Heart-Throb” documentary series and later founded VidsForKids to connect young filmmakers with pediatric patients. He is now leading The Middle People™, a documentary and advocacy initiative focused on the transition from pediatric to adult care.

While an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, he was recruited from his dorm room to compete on American Idol, earning a golden ticket from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

You can follow Christian’s music @christianbeckmusic and Christian Beck on Spotify as well as his band The Stripers on Instagram @the.stripers or on Spotify.

2026 laurel_shortest - flip

2026 Sponsors

2026 Sponsors

Thank you to our Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors for their vital support, which allows us to connect and re-connect hundreds of Scholars from across the nation every year, strengthening our network, and creating collaborations that benefit the entire world.

Presenting Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

2026 laurel_shortest