Geoffrey Loften

Geoffrey Loften is a proven servant leader and mobilizer. Holding fast to his personal core values of gratitude, grace and generosity, Geoffrey has made lasting impacts at every level, contributing to growth, development and innovation of individuals, groups, organizations and communities.

Growing up in Crestview, Florida, his parents, George and Balon Loften instilled in him a commitment to service at a young age with the family mantra “Seek to serve others before you serve yourself.” Geoffrey has carried this value with him throughout his life and career.
 

After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2015 with degrees in Political Science and Economics, Geoffrey spent 6 years as a Program Coordinator and Business Advisor with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center where he worked directly with small businesses, assisting them in all areas of owning, managing and operating a small business. He led efforts in establishing partnerships with local organizations to bring the full resource of training and consulting services to the small businesses in the territories he covered.
 

In 2022, Geoffrey Loften took on the role of Equitable Economic Development Program Manager with Decide DeKalb. This role is the first of its kind in Georgia and only one of two such roles in the United States. As an innovative problem solver, he has built the foundation for this role and others like it as one that focuses to bridge the gap in access to information, resources and capital for businesses located in the under-served and underdeveloped areas of DeKalb County. He has accomplished this through initiatives such as the South DeKalb Pop-Up Business Incubator, a program that will be replicated across the state of Georgia and beyond, and the Advocate DeKalb Community Group. Geoffrey was also instrumental in developing and securing the funding for DeKalb County’s first Small Business Revolving Loan Fund and Technical Assistance Program and has been the leading voice in amplifying DeKalb County's first ever Black Business Guide.
 

Geoffrey serves his community through membership in the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals, currently serving as Vice President, the University of Georgia Black Alumni Leadership Council, board member of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network and as an Elder at the New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.
 

His commitment to service and generosity has led to recognitions such as the 2018 University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Support Staff Person of the Year, a nomination to the University of Georgia Vivian H. Fisher Leadership Academy in 2019, and the 2022 Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals New Member of the Year. Geoffrey is also a 2017 alumnus of the Georgia Young Gamechangers, 2023 alumnus of the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program, 2023 alumnus of the National Urban League Emerging Leaders Program and a member of the 2025 class of LEAD Atlanta.