President • Connector • Community builder
Meet Marianne Ganem-Poppell
Savannah's Connector-in-Chief, Community Cheerleader & Professional People Person! The woman behind Savannah’s event & networking guide; connecting businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders and the people who make this city move.
A third-generation Savannahian, Marianne has built her work around one idea: meaningful relationships create stronger businesses and a stronger community. If it's happening in Savannah, chances are Marianne Ganem-Poppell knows about it, knows who's behind it, or is already on her way there!
- 44,000+Local business professionals reached weekly
- 30,000+Locals informed through the weekly newsletter
- 2026President • Mediation Center Board of Directors
- SavannahThird-generation roots • Community-first leadership
Why partner with Marianne
Visibility is useful. Relationships are powerful.
Marianne’s strength is connecting the right people, the right causes and the right opportunities — then giving those connections a platform to grow.
She Connects
Businesses, nonprofits, community leaders and local audiences meet through a network built around trust and participation.
She Elevates
SMC turns events, organizations and community work into stories people can discover, attend, share and support.
She Shows Up
From boardrooms to fundraisers to networking events, Marianne’s work is rooted in being present in the community she serves.
Leadership with local roots
Credibility built by doing the work.
- 2026President, Board of DirectorsMediation Center of the Coastal Empire
- BOARDBoard of DirectorsSavannah Area Chamber of Commerce
- 2016Leadership SavannahGraduate • Class of 2016
- 2022Helen V. Head Business Advocate AwardSavannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Her Savannah story
Rooted here. Invested here.
Marianne’s path runs through Savannah business, customer experience, community leadership and cause-driven marketing. Her family roots and years working alongside local organizations shaped a simple philosophy: people remember the organizations that make them feel seen, supported and connected.
Through Savannah Master Calendar and Simply Savannah Marketing, that philosophy became a platform, helping local organizations increase visibility, create meaningful community participation and build relationships that last longer than a campaign.
Some people collect shoes. Some collect stamps. Marianne collects PEOPLE, connections, and opportunities to make Savannah an even better place to live, work, and play!
As the President and CEO of Savannah Master Calendar, Marianne has turned her love of people, community, and a really good party into a platform that celebrates everything that makes Savannah special.
Born into a family with deep Savannah roots, Marianne knows that this city is about so much more than beautiful squares, historic buildings, and Spanish moss. It's about the PEOPLE! The small business owners chasing their dreams, the nonprofits making a difference, the volunteers giving their time, and the movers and shakers who keep this community moving forward.
And Marianne? She's usually somewhere in the middle of it all — making introductions, taking pictures, cheering someone on, or reminding everyone to SUPPORT LOCAL!
A Little Bit of Everything. A Whole Lot of Savannah.
Entrepreneur? Check.
Community advocate? Absolutely.
Professional networker? It's practically a superpower.
Event enthusiast? You bet!
Wife and mom of three boys? Her most important roles — and quite possibly the reason she has mastered the art of juggling a hundred things at once!
When she's not promoting the next big event, celebrating a local business, or connecting people who need to know each other, Marianne is probably spending time with her family.
As the owner of Simply Savannah Marketing, Marianne also helps businesses and organizations tell their stories, build relationships, and become more connected to the community they serve.
Her philosophy is pretty simple: There's room for EVERYONE to succeed, and we're stronger when we support one another.
Why Savannah Master Calendar?
Because Savannah deserves one place where everyone can find out what's happening — from nonprofit fundraisers and grand openings to festivals, networking events, and those hidden gems you didn't even know existed!
Savannah Master Calendar isn't just about filling your calendar. It's about bringing people together, supporting the organizations that make a difference, and giving businesses of all sizes a chance to shine.
Marianne believes that a single introduction can change someone's business, a single event can create lifelong friendships, and a community that shows up for one another is a community that thrives.
Her motto? Show up. Get involved. Support local. Have FUN!
And if you see Marianne out and about, PLEASE say hello! Just be warned ... you might leave with three new friends, an invitation to an event, and a few more things on your calendar!
Welcome to Savannah Master Calendar — where the people make the party and EVERYONE is invited!
Let’s make something happen in Savannah
Bring Marianne into the conversation.
If you’re building an event, growing a business, supporting a cause or looking for a smarter way to connect with Savannah, start here.