When the Kowals say they are passionate about philanthropic involvement, that doesn’t only include parents Meredith and William. This past year when Meredith was heavily involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS’s) Light the Night fundraiser, everyone got involved including the children who raised over $1,000 at lemonade stands.

 

As part of Light the Night’s Atlanta executive committee, Meredith worked hard for the group to reach its goal of raising $2 million for LLS. She rallied co-workers to join an event team and tapped friends and favorite businesses to help out as well. In late fall, the committee was about $100,000 shy of its $2 million goal so Meredith put together a fundraiser with Buckhead Mahjong. The December event, Tiles of Hope, sold out and raised $50,000. Many Historic Brookhaven women attended and enjoyed lunch, drinks, and prizes along with mahjong.

 

Light the Night is an evening walk that takes place in cities across the country. Individuals and families register to be part of the festivities, which elevate awareness for leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. Cities compete to raise the most money and in 2023 Atlanta placed fourth out of 121 competing towns. The 2024 team was still awaiting results as this issue of Stroll Historic Brookhaven went to press.

 

In September, Meredith’s kids and some friends hosted lemonade stands for two days in Historic Brookhaven and raised $1,300. They sold coffee and donuts in the morning. The children also helped with stands in Garden Hills, Peachtree Park, and Memorial Park neighborhoods. The Historic Brookhaven stands were by far the most successful, which Meredith contributes to supportive and charitable neighbors.

 

LLS isn’t the only group the Kowals support. Chris and Meredith are also involved at their church, Christ the King (CTK), and their children’s schools. When Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina, they collected epi pens for linemen and first responders with allergies to yellow jackets.

 

The Kowals have lived in the Club Forest neighborhood of Historic Brookhaven for three years. They have been married for almost 13 years and have four children: William (11-years-old and in fifth grade at CTK School), Amelia (age nine and in third grade at CTK), Leighton (four years old), and Wells (age three). Leighton and Wells attend Wieuca Day School. Their Bernese Mountain Dog Finn and au pair Anna Stecco, from Arzignano, Italy, round out the household.

 

Both Chris and Meredith say they are homebodies. They prefer to grill out and entertain at home with close friends and family. Most holidays are spent in their Club Valley Drive home as well, although a July 4 trip to Lake Oconee has become a tradition.

 

On a weekend, you might find them at Buckhead Baseball or a baseball travel tournament watching William play or at a cheer competition with Amelia. This winter, they have enjoyed the Brookhaven ice rink. “Our younger kids love playing at Little Nancy Creek Park,” Meredith adds.

 

When not at home on free weekends, they might head to Lake Oconee or the beach. Their favorite vacation destination is Rhode Island – either Newport or Watch Hill. With family and some of Chris’s clients located there, they make the trip once or twice a year.

 

While Chris was born in Ohio and Meredith in Memphis, they attended rival high schools in Atlanta (Marist and St. Pius, respectively). Meredith went on to major in accounting at the University of Georgia and Chris became a business major at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC.

 

Meredith is a tax partner and client steward at accounting firm Aprio. “As a steward, I’m also very passionate about coaching and mentoring startups in the Atlanta tech bubble,” she says, noting she spends a lot of time at technology incubators around the city. In her role, she coaches clients as they get started, stewards them through growth, and then eventually eases into a role as their tax professional. “I’m especially passionate about female founders,” she says. Chris is a principal at wealth management firm Homrich Berg.  

 

When asked their favorite part of living in Historic Brookhaven, Meredith and Chris say the location and wonderful neighbors. Prior to moving here, the couple lived in a few different Buckhead locations. “We would drive through Historic Brookhaven and always say we wanted to be here,” notes Meredith. “It’s the prettiest neighborhood.”

 

SIDE BAR TO FAMILY SPOTLIGHT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

HEAD = The Kowals’ Valentine’s Plans

 

Chris and Meredith Kowal met after college when they were both working in Atlanta. They lived near each other in townhomes in Buckhead Forest. Dating a neighbor might be risky, but in the Kowals case it ended well. The two were married in 2012 at Saint Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek and had their wedding reception at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

 

Meredith says they didn’t have a Valentine’s tradition until their youngest child Wells (three years old) was born. His birthday is February 14. “Now our Valentine’s Day revolves around him,” she notes.

 

 

FAVORITE THINGS SIDEBAR TO FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

HEAD = The Kowals’ Favorite Things

 

Restaurants: Superica for family dinners; The Alden and private dining club The Perlant for date nights

 

Sports teams: Braves, Falcons, University of Georgia Bulldogs

 

TV shows: Live sports!

 

Music: All music, but mostly pop and country

Vacation destination: Newport and Watch Hill, Rhode Island