Emily Dickinson and Talmadge (Tal) Johnson, winners of the inaugural 2013 Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, have been named as candidates for the 2017 National Man & Woman of the Year All Stars campaign, a spirited ten-week fundraising campaign to help make a significant impact on the fight against blood cancers.Dickinson and Johnson are part of an elite group of influential, compassionate local and national community and business leaders who will compete for the National Man & Woman of the Year All Star, and are the only man and woman All Star candidates chosen to represent Savannah.

The Man & Woman of the Year All Star campaign launched in 2014 as a fundraising competition among a select group of Man & Woman of the Year alumni. One former Man and Woman of the Year candidate is chosen to represent their local market as the All Star Alumni for that year. Every dollar raised counts as one “vote”, and the male and female All Star alumni who raise the most votes during the campaign will be named the National Man & Woman of the Year All Stars.

Emily Dickinson is an Executive Vice President for Wet Willie’s Management Corporation, where she has worked since graduating from Tulane University in 2011.  A native of Savannah, Emily is active in the community; she is President of the Savannah Waterfront Association, Secretary of the Savannah/Chatham CASA, is on the Board of Directors for the Savannah Music Festival and the Historic Savannah Foundation, and is a member of Rotary Club of Savannah, Chatham Club and serves as a cabinet member for United Way.  Emily was recognized by Generation Next as one of Savannah’s Rising Stars of Business in 2014, is a member of the 2014 graduating class of Leadership Savannah, and was a candidate and 1st place team member for the American Diabetes Association’s Kiss a Pig campaign in 2014.  Emily is competing in the Man & Woman of the Year All Star campaign in memory of her Grandmother, Ann Brandt, who passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in honor of a close family member who has developed Multiple Myeloma.

Talmadge (Tal) Rowland Johnson grew up in Twin City, GA and holds a BBA in Accounting from UGA and a Masters of Accountancy from Georgia Southern University.  Tal is a partner with Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP and works in both the Savannah and Statesboro markets.  He specializes in small and medium size business financial reporting, business advisory, audit, business tax services, and individual tax services.  Tal currently serves as a treasurer on the board of the Savannah USO Chapter and is a member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church Finance Committee. Tal’s community involvement has included the Young Alumni Board of UGA’s Terry College of Business, the 2010 graduating class of Leadership Savannah, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church Administrative Board, Savannah Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Council and Governmental Affairs Council, and he is past President of Savannah Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Tal is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Rotary Club of Statesboro.  Tal is married to Katie Byrd Johnson and they have two children, Byrdie Johnson and Talmadge Johnson, Jr.
 
“Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate, it’s a disease that affects the young and old all over the world. As there are no means of preventing or screening for most blood cancers, we have to focus on finding cures,” said Jennie Brewster, Area Director for the Savannah Office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter. “Our Man & Woman of the Year candidates embody the idea that anyone can make a difference with hard work and dedication. Everybody wins when cancer loses.”

Over 350 people are expected to attend the Grand Finale Celebration at Savannah Station on May 12th. This amazing night begins with a silent auction and reception, followed by the event program and dinner. Tickets go on sale March 2, 2017.  To attend or donate to one of the candidates, visit www.mwoy.org/ga.