Jessica Pinson Pennington, Executive Director
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Jessica has worked in private child welfare organizations for over thirty years, beginning her career counseling children at the Council on Battered Women and Easter Seals of North Georgia. After several years as the director of training and affiliate services for the state’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program (Georgia CASA), she accepted her current position at TIP. In this role, she oversees agency administration and can be contacted for new program ideas, suggestions for improvements, potential for partnerships, requests for financial information and employment opportunities. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnae in Practice Award from the University of Georgia, School of Social Work and a Celebrating Service Pro Bono Award from the Atlanta Bar Association. She is a past Policy Fellow with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and a current Fellow with the Southern Education Foundation’s Policy & Practice Network. Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia. She is married to Caroline Brown, an elementary school Principal, and has one teenaged son. They reside in Atlanta.
Sarah Babcock, Deputy Director
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Sarah is passionate about ensuring that all children receive the resources they need to build healthy and productive lives. As Deputy Director of TIP, Sarah supports both staff and volunteers in serving TIP clients and their families. Prior to joining TIP, Sarah worked for six years as a litigation associate at Alston & Bird, where she served on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and was awarded the 2015 F.M. Bird Award for Pro Bono Service. Sarah serves on the Georgia State Bar Access to Justice Committee, the Atlanta Bar Association Public Interest Law Section Board, and the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers Foundation Board. Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a double concentration in International Relations and Russian Studies, and earned her law degree, with honors, at Emory University School of Law. She lives in Midtown with her husband, their two school-age daughters, and two cats.
Danielle Simpson, Senior Staff Attorney
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Danielle was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the intersection of 38th and Chicago, which is now referred to as George Floyd Square. She began her quest for Juvenile Justice in high school, when her longtime friend was murdered due to gang violence. Danielle decided then that she wanted a career assisting young people in choosing successful pathways to adulthood. As TIP’s Senior Staff Attorney, Danielle uses her experience to represent children facing truancy charges in Fulton County and improve court systems and processes across the state of Georgia. Prior to joining TIP, Danielle worked in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief District Attorney in the Douglas County Juvenile Division. Danielle’s goal is to ensure that students have access to important educational opportunities and to address barriers families face that create absenteeism. Danielle received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from North Dakota State University. She received her J.D., with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law. In her free time, Danielle volunteers with various youth organizations. She and her husband have one son and one dog baby.
Sydney Royes, Behavioral Health Services Manager
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Sydney Royes is an Atlanta native. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University, and after a brief stint in law school, found her true passion: social work. After working in social services in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area for a few years, Sydney received her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Howard University. In 2007, she came home to Atlanta, and has worked in social services since that time. Sydney is excited to work at TIP to ensure that education is an opportunity afforded to all children in the Atlanta area. Sydney resides in Lawrenceville, GA with her husband and two daughters.
Arianna Villegas, Early Intervention Program Manager
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Arianna was born and raised in Metro Atlanta. She attributes her passion for social work to her (late) great grandmother, who was a fierce advocate for those in need. Arianna received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Georgia State University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Upon graduation, she immediately began working in child welfare. She has experience serving children and families within the foster care and healthcare systems. Arianna is excited to continue advocating for youth and families to receive the support and services needed to be successful. She currently resides in Metro Atlanta with her partner, their daughter, and their dog.
Adrian Wright, Volunteer and Training Manager
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Adrian was born and raised in North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina for undergraduate studies, majoring in Philosophy. In 2008, Adrian joined the staff of the Truancy Intervention Project Georgia as Volunteer Coordinator. He recently celebrated 13 years with TIP and may be contacted for information regarding school and court based truancy intervention efforts, volunteer opportunities and support and resources for school system referred youth. Adrian lives in Gwinnett County with his wife and two sons.
