KSB’s Newest Leaders
Keep Smyrna Beautiful is excited to welcome two new board members—Shannon Balestrini and Diane Overton—and to spotlight Dawn McLoughlin, who will serve as Chair of the 2026 Smyrna Garden Tour. Each brings a unique passion for community and the environment to their work for Keep Smyrna Beautiful.
Shannon Balestrini: A Passion for Pollinators
Shannon and her husband moved to Smyrna in 2020, settling into the Bennett Woods neighborhood. What she appreciates most about life here is the balance. “We’re close enough to Atlanta for travel and in-town activities, but far enough away to enjoy the peacefulness of this area,” she says. She also values the City’s commitment to improving parks, recreation, and public safety.
As a new board member, Shannon is especially excited about KSB’s growing Pollinator Pocket program. After seeing the native plant installation at the Smyrna Recycling Center, she knew she wanted to be part of it. “Supporting our pollinators and ecosystem through gardening with native plants is something I’m deeply passionate about,” she says. Shannon is looking forward to collaborating across KSB initiatives to help advance the mission of keeping Smyrna clean, green, and beautiful.
Diane Overton: A Heart for Education and Community
Diane has called Smyrna home for 25 years and lives near King Springs Elementary. For her, the best parts of Smyrna are the community, the people, and the abundance of activities nearby, including hiking, biking, beautiful parks, and great local food.
As a new board member, Diane is eager to focus on education: “I’m excited to work on educating the community (and myself!) about all the large and small ways we can be better stewards of the environment.”
Diane grew up mostly in Cobb County and graduated from the University Notre Dame. She built a career in pension and health benefits technology before pivoting to a new calling: teaching math. She now enjoys working with students of all ages. Outside the classroom, she loves spending time with her family, practicing yoga, traveling, playing pickleball, and volunteering with organizations that support education, food security, and environmental causes.
Dawn McLoughlin: Leading the 2026 Garden Tour
After two years on the KSB board, Dawn McLoughlin is stepping into a new role as Chair of the 2026 Smyrna Garden Tour, which takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. “I am very excited to bring our community together for this awesome event,” she says.
New this year? An event theme! “Homegrown Habitats” celebrates the diversity of gardens that Smyrna has to offer.
“Ticket holders can expect to see beautiful ornamental gardens as well as purpose-driven gardens that serve our pollinators,” says Dawn. The popular plant sale will also return to the Reed House on tour day. Dawn invites everyone in the community to, “join us to learn more about gardening with purpose and be inspired!”
With leaders like Shannon, Diane, and Dawn, Keep Smyrna Beautiful is entering a new season of growth—cultivating community, fostering education, and inspiring a greener future for all who call Smyrna home.
To learn more about the Smyrna Garden Tour, including sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://keepsmyrnabeautiful.com/garden-tour/