Meet Mitchell Tanzy of Roswell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchell Tanzy.

Hi Mitchell, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, and for the most part, this city has been home my whole life. The only time I really left was for college at Appalachian State University, where I studied in the mountains of North Carolina, and then I spent about a year in Raleigh after graduation before coming back. Atlanta has always pulled me back, though. I love this city, The music scene, its energy, its culture, and most importantly, the people who dedicated their time and passion to make this great city what it is.
Growing up here gave me a certain perspective. I was fortunate in many ways, but I was also acutely aware that not everyone in my city had the same opportunities. That awareness turned into a passion for service, for making sure others could access the resources and support they needed.
That passion really started to take shape in 2011 with the founding of Camp Lighthouse, where I now serve on the board. Camp Lighthouse is a 501(c)(3) summer camp that partners directly with local homeless shelters here in Atlanta to give kids a completely free summer camp experience. For a lot of our campers, this is their very first time leaving the city, swimming in a lake, catching a fish, or roasting a marshmallow over a campfire. You can see them light up as they try new things, build friendships, and gain confidence in themselves. And what’s powerful is that it’s not just a week of fun, it’s a chance for them to step away from the challenges of their daily lives and see new possibilities for themselves. Watching that transformation happen year after year is one of the most meaningful parts of my story, and it keeps me committed to expanding the program so more kids can benefit.
At the same time, another passion of mine has always been live music. I get to put that passion to work through Crawfish for a Cause. CFAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for mental health organizations through live music, food, and community events. We host Mental Awakening, a major annual festival in Atlanta, uniting breweries, bands, and purpose-driven organizations to support life-changing mental health programs and initiatives. We also partner with venues and breweries throughout the southeast to co-host live music events that benefit local mental health-focused organizations. As Director of Sponsorships,  I get to connect with businesses and brands that want to be part of that mission. It’s been amazing to see how those partnerships not only keep the event alive, but also expand its impact year after year. You can catch us on the road hosting events on tour with Widespread Panic, Billy Strings, & Phish.
Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to align my career with those same values. At Goodr, where I’m a Partnerships Manager, I get to work at the intersection of business and impact. We partner with companies, governments, and nonprofits to address food insecurity, and I help build the relationships that make those programs possible. It’s fulfilling because I get to see how a corporate sponsorship or a local partnership can directly translate into thousands of meals for families in need.
Looking back, I can see how each step in my journey connects. Whether it’s raising money through music, creating opportunities for kids in the outdoors, or building partnerships to fight food insecurity, the common thread is using my skills and my network to create impact for others. That’s really what drives me the most; finding ways to take the resources and relationships I’ve been blessed to facilitate and turn them into opportunities for people who need them most.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but smooth seas don’t make great sailors. I think any time you’re working in spaces like nonprofit fundraising, community partnerships, or food insecurity, there are going to be challenges.
With Crawfish for a Cause, one of the biggest struggles early on was figuring out how to sustain and grow the event without losing the sense of community that made it special in the first place. Sponsorships don’t just fall into place, you have to build trust, show impact, and constantly prove why a business should invest in your cause. There were times when we weren’t sure how we’d cover the costs of the event, but those challenges pushed us to get more creative with outreach and build deeper, longer-term partnerships.
At Camp Lighthouse, the challenge is very different but just as real. Partnering with local homeless shelters means we’re working with kids who face really tough circumstances. It’s not just about giving them a fun summer. it’s about making sure they feel safe, supported, and cared for in an environment that’s completely new to them. There have been moments where the logistics felt overwhelming, whether it was raising the funds to keep camp free, organizing transportation, or making sure we had the right staff in place. But every time I see a camper overcome a fear or try something new, it’s a reminder that the work is worth it.
And in my professional role at Goodr, the struggles often come down to the realities of building partnerships around something as big and complex as food insecurity. Corporations and governments all want to help, but aligning their resources with real community needs isn’t always straightforward. There are moments of frustration when a program doesn’t come together as quickly as we’d hoped or when the need in the community feels overwhelming compared to what we can deliver. But those struggles are also what drive me, they force me to keep pushing for new solutions and to stay focused on the bigger picture.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But I’ve come to see those bumps in the road as necessary. They’ve shaped the way I work, taught me to be resourceful, and reminded me why I care so much about this mission.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the core of all my work, whether it’s through Crawfish for a Cause, Camp Lighthouse, or Goodr, I see myself as a connector. I specialize in building partnerships, bringing people and organizations together around a common mission, and turning those relationships into real impact.
At Crawfish for a Cause, that looks like securing sponsorships and building long-term relationships with brands who believe in the power of music and community to raise awareness around mental health. I’m known there for being able to take a grassroots nonprofit event and connect it with corporate partners in a way that feels authentic to both sides.
At Camp Lighthouse, what I’m most proud of is how we’ve been able to partner with local homeless shelters in Atlanta to give kids a free summer camp experience. These are kids who may have never left the city before, and to see them get the chance to swim, hike, and just be kids, it’s incredibly rewarding. I think what sets me apart here is that I don’t just see camp as “a week of fun.” I see it as an intervention point where confidence and resilience are built, and I’m always thinking about how to expand that opportunity for more kids.
And at Goodr, my role as Partnerships Manager ties it all together professionally. I’m focused on developing relationships with businesses, governments, and nonprofits to address food insecurity at scale. I’m most proud of how I’ve been able to translate a company’s desire to do good into tangible results, like millions of meals delivered to families.
If I had to boil it down, I think what sets me apart is my ability to operate at the intersection of community and business. I can sit down with a Fortune 500 executive one day and a grassroots nonprofit leader the next, and find the common ground that allows them to work together. I take pride in being someone who doesn’t just talk about impact but actually builds the partnerships that make it possible.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the classic middle child. Always trying to carve out my own space and figure out where I fit. School was never easy for me. I have ADHD and dyslexia, so the traditional classroom environment was a real challenge. On paper, I didn’t look like the best student, but I was always curious, always asking questions, and I think people around me could see that I was smart even if my report cards didn’t show it.
Because of that, I leaned heavily on outlets outside the classroom. Wrestling became a huge part of my life. It gave me structure, discipline, and a sense of control that I didn’t always feel in other areas. On the mat, everything made sense; it was just me, my opponent, and the work I had put in. Wrestling taught me resilience and how to push through challenges, lessons that I still carry with me today.
I was extremely interested in the outdoors and have a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, nature and conservation. I am undoubtedly the happiest when outside.
Music was the other big outlet. Whether it was performing, writing, listening to it, going to shows, or just being around that community, it gave me a space to express myself and feel connected. I think that’s why I’ve gravitated toward roles later in life that combine music, community, and purpose.
So if I had to sum it up, I was the middle kid who maybe didn’t fit neatly into the school system, but I found other ways to channel my energy, learn about myself, and develop the persistence and creativity that still shape who I am now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodr.co | www.crawfishforacause.com | www.camplighthouse.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchtanzy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-tanzy-21a4a1122/
• Other: mitchelltanzy@gmail.com