The Board of Councilors is a leadership advisory group that serves to advance understanding of and support for The Carter Center and its activities among private-sector opinion leaders in Atlanta and Georgia. Members attend quarterly meetings and act as informed advocates of The Carter Center in the circles in which they have influence.

There are more than 200 councilors, with representatives from among the top leadership of Atlanta and Georgia businesses. The governor of Georgia, the mayor of Atlanta, and the president of Emory University are ex-officio members.

Membership is granted for three years, and the group is divided into three classes so there is a gradual rotation of members. A small number of senior members who have demonstrated sustained support for The Carter Center have been named life members. 

Board of Councilors The Board of Councilors was founded in 1987 at the initiative of President Carter and Ivan Allen III. Ivan Allen III served as founding chairman, with Robert M. Holder Jr. as vice chairman.

Ivan Allen III
1987-1992

Robert M. Holder Jr.
1992-1996

A. W. "Bill" Dahlberg
1997-1998

James S. Balloun
1999-2000

James R. Lientz Jr.
2001-2002

Paula Lawton Bevington
2003-2004

Frank Belatti
2005

Ingrid Saunders Jones
2006

Phil Hickey
2007

Charles Brewer
2008

Claire Lewis Arnold
2009

Kenneth G. Byers Jr.
2010

Ann W. Cramer
2011

H. Inman Allen
2012