South Metro Advisory Roundtable with Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith, City of Palmetto

Join the Council for Quality Growth's South Metro Advisory Roundtable on November 19th at 11:45 AM in-person at the ATL Airport CIDs to hear a development update from Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith, City of Palmetto.

​Teresa Thomas-Smith
Mayor
City of Palmetto

Teresa Smith is a transformational leader dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through authenticity, purpose, and collaboration. She made HERstory as the first African-American and first female mayor of the City of Palmetto, GA, where she is bridging divides and fostering relationships many thought were impossible. Palmetto, positioned as the southernmost city in Fulton County and the northernmost in Coweta County, reflects the impact of her inclusive and empathetic leadership.

Teresa brings decades of experience in collaboration and negotiation from her career in organized labor, where she worked with the National AFL-CIO. During her tenure, she mastered the art of aligning diverse perspectives to create equitable solutions and foster shared success. After leaving the AFL-CIO, Teresa founded Peaceful Soul Life Coaching, inspired by her desire to guide others through transformational growth. She also launched TRANSFORM HER with Teresa Smith, a leadership development program helping women embrace their spiritual gifts, trust their intuition, and align with their life’s blueprint to lead authentically and powerfully.

A passionate advocate for youth, Teresa works with justice-involved young women through her program, BEcoming EXTRAordinary, which is designed to guide participants toward self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. This program aligns with her belief in second chances and the transformative power of helping individuals recognize their worth and potential.

Teresa is a 2024 graduate of the Carl Vinson Knox Municipal Leadership Institute, the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Leadership Institute, and GMA's 2023-24 Municipal Leader DE&I Certificate Program. She is also an alumna of the Leadership South Fulton Program, further equipping her to address challenges with innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.

Known for her leadership style rooted in empathy, compassion, and grace, Teresa has brought transformative change to her community and beyond. Whether navigating the complexities of public service or helping individuals unlock their full potential, she creates spaces where all voices are valued, and trust is the foundation.

Teresa and her husband of 25 years, First Gentleman Antone, are widely recognized for their philanthropic and community endeavors, demonstrating a shared commitment to uplifting others and inspiring unity.

An Atlanta native, Teresa has a genuine love for the human experience and believes in "love without borders" as a guiding principle. Her purpose is to add value wherever she goes, building a legacy of service, transformation, and connection.