2026 Impact Report
Explore six years of progress, 2026 results, and the people, projects, and partnerships moving innovation into real-world use.
From PIN leadership
For six years, PIN has connected innovation and strengthened communities across Georgia and the Southeast. In 2026 alone, the organization advanced more than one-third of its projects to date.
PIN’s focus is on providing the patient capital and discipline that help promising solutions move toward lasting community and economic value.
The network now connects communities, innovators, partners, and emerging talent around real-world challenges. The stories that follow show what those relationships make possible.
Based on the 2026 leadership letter from Debra Lam and Chris Womack.
Six years of building
PIN was established and announced at the Atlanta Rotary Club. Debra Lam was named Founding Executive Director, and G.P. “Bud” Peterson, PhD, was named Board Chair.
PIN recorded its first year of measurable outcomes, passed 30 active projects, and launched the PIN Fellowship.
Chris Womack was named Board Chair, Christian Charnaux was named Vice Chair, projects reached all 12 Georgia economic development districts, and PIN completed its first project outside Georgia.
PIN-supported work earned three international honors, the Southeast regional expansion began, and a PIN Intern alumnus became a host partner and hired a PIN Intern.
PIN reached 77 projects across five states, hired the 200th PIN Intern, and delivered 220 innovation projects.
Heather Fortner was named Vice Chair, the PIN Fund launched, and Emerging Innovators reached a record 149 active participants with more than 440 alumni.
Return on Impact
2026 results are shown separately from PIN’s cumulative reach since launch.
2026 PIN-wide
Since launch
How PIN moves innovation to impact
Solutions, talent, capital, and community priorities each exist on their own. What they usually lack is a shared pathway.
Community Deployment, the PIN Studio, and the PIN Fund help communities and startups test what works, build evidence, and move solutions toward sustained use.
PIN Interns and Fellows contribute to meaningful projects while gaining paid applied experience, mentorship, networks, and clearer career paths.
Connected Impact
Each theme below comes to life through a story of people, projects, and partnerships moving work forward.
01Connecting Local Systems
The Macon-Bibb Entrepreneur Ecosystem Project connects entrepreneurs with resources and gives ecosystem partners a clearer way to learn from one another.
Read the story
02Relationships That Build Capacity
Across two summers, four interns helped the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns expand an accessible digital resource for Native history and education.
Read the story
03Capacity That Accumulates in Place
Two digital placemaking projects connected local history, entrepreneurship, emerging talent, and future growth in Greenville.
Read the story
04Moving Innovation Into Practice and Carrying It Forward
PIN’s relationship with Lamarr.AI evolved from early research support to community deployment, talent, investment, and broader public-sector use.
Read the story
05Investing in What Comes Next
Safe Road Solutions uses roadway analytics to help transportation agencies identify potentially hazardous curves and prioritize safety improvements.
Read the storyFinancial stewardship
PIN’s 2026 financial statement provides a three-year view of revenue, support, and expenses across the organization’s core areas of work.
Review the complete financial statement in the full report.
Download the full reportCarrying impact forward
Bring a local challenge and explore how PIN connects talent, expertise, and solutions.
Put skills into practice or host PIN Interns and Fellows for meaningful project support.
Start a conversation about the PIN Fund and other ways to support continued impact.
