W. Forrest Coley, Jr., ’85 Health and Human Development; ’90 MBA Business
- Real Estate Investor, Licensed Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta
Forrest graduated from Penn State in 1985 with a B.S. in hotel, restaurant and institutional management and earned an MBA from the Smeal College of Business in 1990. He built a 27-year career in healthcare sales and marketing leadership before retiring from corporate America and successfully transitioning into real estate sales and investing.
Alongside his professional accomplishments, Forrest has remained deeply committed to community and civic engagement. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors and an active civic leader in Atlanta. His service includes roles as Vice Chair and past Chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Planning Unit, Commissioner on the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, board member of the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy, past President of Fourth Ward Neighbors, and board member of Our House Atlanta, an organization focused on ending family homelessness.
In addition to serving on the Educational Equity Advisory Board, Forrest is an active member of Penn State’s Campaign Leadership Council.
Alongside his professional accomplishments, Forrest has remained deeply committed to community and civic engagement. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors and an active civic leader in Atlanta. His service includes roles as Vice Chair and past Chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Planning Unit, Commissioner on the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, board member of the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy, past President of Fourth Ward Neighbors, and board member of Our House Atlanta, an organization focused on ending family homelessness.
In addition to serving on the Educational Equity Advisory Board, Forrest is an active member of Penn State’s Campaign Leadership Council.
Forrest’s experience at Penn State shaped his belief that students should not have to choose between academic success and financial stability. He is especially passionate about supporting first-generation students and helping them overcome systemic racial and class-based barriers so they can thrive at Penn State.
Forrest currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his 72-pound “lap dog,” Steelton.