Skyland Trail’s 19th Annual Associates Spring Luncheon Raises over $150,000 for Mental Health

Atlanta, GA – Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized nonprofit residential mental health treatment organization for adults and adolescents, recently hosted the 19th annual Associates Spring Luncheon. More than 400 guests attended the event at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta on Friday, March 20, 2026. The event’s keynote speaker was Elyce Arons, the co-founder of Kate Spade and co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine. In addition to advancing community understanding about suicide and mental health, the luncheon raised over $150,000 to support Skyland Trail psychiatric treatment  programs for adults and teens.

The 2026 Spring Associates Luncheon was co-chaired by Associates President Nola Lucas Stull and Associates Vice President Kristin Newberry. The Skyland Trail Associates, a group of Atlanta women leaders, raises money to support Skyland Trail through the Associates Spring Luncheon and through membership and fundraising efforts throughout the year. Annually, at their fall meeting, Associates help select how the funds will be directed to enhance Skyland Trail psychiatric treatment programs.

Keynote speaker Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine and co-founder of Kate Spade New York. A 35-year fashion veteran, she has helped build two iconic global brands and recently published her debut memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, a New York Times bestseller chronicling her friendship with Kate Spade and lessons from her career.

“I can encourage others to seek help, instead of feeling shame. To openly discuss mental health challenges, to find their way through what seems insurmountable,” says Arons.

The 2026 Spring Associates Luncheon was made possible by Leadership sponsors First Horizon, Houlihan Lokey and Andrew J. Stull, Liz Blake, and the Shaifer Family. Gold sponsors included: Home Luxury Real Estate, Suzette Brading, Nan Easterlin, Nancy Patterson, and Nola Lucas Stull. Silver sponsors included: Bank of America, CIBC Private Wealth, Inspire Wellness & Aesthetics and Partnerships with a Purpose, SouthState Bank, Ginny Brewer, Suci Jackson and Dina Varner, Kristin Newberry, Anna Paré M.D. and Dermatology Consultants, Karen Parker, Leigh Pollard and Paige Morocco, Patty Reid, Diana Tipton, and Betsy West. The Atlantan served as a media sponsor.

Information on joining the Skyland Trail Associates and upcoming events can be found here.