Henry County Advisory Roundtable with Mayor Kam Varner of the City of McDonough
Name:
Henry County Advisory Roundtable with Mayor Kam Varner of the City of McDonough
Date:
August 19, 2026
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Registration:
Register Now
Event Description:
Join the Council for Quality Growth's Henry County Advisory Roundtable on August 19, 2026 at 12 PM.
Mayor Kam Varner
City of McDonough
Kamali Varner, a lifelong McDonough resident who grew up in the historic Blacksville community, began serving as mayor in January 2026. Mayor Varner’s mission is to be a catalytic, visionary community advocate who shapes McDonough into a city where every resident, regardless of their background, can thrive.
Mayor Kam VarnerCity of McDonough
Kamali Varner, a lifelong McDonough resident who grew up in the historic Blacksville community, began serving as mayor in January 2026. Mayor Varner’s mission is to be a catalytic, visionary community advocate who shapes McDonough into a city where every resident, regardless of their background, can thrive.
Driven by an unyielding love for her hometown and inspired by her family and faith, Varner embarked on an extraordinary journey of public service in 2012. At age 29, she became the youngest elected official in McDonough’s history, serving as the District 4 City Council member from 2012 to 2025. During her tenure, she also served as mayor pro tempore from 2019–2020 and again from 2024–2025.
Mayor Varner graduated from Henry County High School and nurtured her leadership skills at Shiloh Baptist Church, where she led the youth ministry. Varner earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Point University in 2017 and a Master of Public Administration degree from Strayer University in 2021. She has served as the president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Henry County Middle School, contributed to the McDonough Main Street Program, and is a board member of the Salvation Army. Varner currently works as a Henry County Sheriff’s supervisor over civilians in jail operations.
Mayor Varner’s most cherished achievement was founding the McDonough Youth Advisory Council, marking a historic milestone as the first municipal advisory council in Henry County. The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) recognized Varner’s exceptional leadership abilities with certificates of recognition, achievement, excellence, and distinction, in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2022, respectively.
In 2015, Varner graduated from the organization’s prestigious Robert E. Knox Jr. Leadership program and in 2020, she was named to GMA’s esteemed “20 under 40” program. She has also been honored by the Henry County NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Caribbean Association of Georgia, solidifying her commitment to excellence and community advocacy.
She was also instrumental in preserving local history through the groundbreaking "Blacksville" documentary and bringing the Shaquille O'Neal Boys and Girls Club to the heart of McDonough's District 4.
Yet, amid these achievements, Varner’s proudest role remains that of a mother to three young men, a testament to her devotion to both family and community. Believing that local government can transform the world one city at a time, Mayor Varner’s vision transcends mere leadership. It's a commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance that can inspire positive change far beyond the city of McDonough.
