APRIL/MAY 2020 | maconmagazine.com 67
THE MISSION OF MY BUSINESS: The
Navicent Health Foundation encourages
generosity to transform visions into reality.
YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED THAT: I
began my career at Navicent Health 38 years
ago as the secretary of the Foundation and
worked my way up to being named the CEO
five years ago. With my team of five women
(and one man) we have a combined 130 years
of service, so the Foundation is anchored
in Macon and continues to fund raise and
award grants to improve the healthcare of our
Central Georgia communities.
THE BEST ADVICE I HAVE EVER
RECEIVED WAS: The importance of
empathy as a leader. Many times, you hear of
empathy as a soft skill, but I think it's critically
important in building a team and just as
important when working with donors. I truly
want to understand their perspective and
what's important to them.
THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF
BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS: While
80 percent of people in the fundraising field
are women, there is still a gender pay gap
with women making 10 percent less than their
male counterparts. The gap is smaller than it
has been, but we still have work to do.
THE MOST GRATIFYING PART OF MY
JOB IS: Seeing first-hand the difference
philanthropy makes. Lives are touched and
literally changed by the work we do.
MY ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT
TO START A BUSINESS: Go for it and
surround yourself with people who have the
experience you are seeking. Last year, the
Navicent Health Foundation transitioned to
an independent corporation and each time
I had a question or a decision I wasn't sure
about, I would reach out to my peers and
seek their advice and input.
Ellen J.
Terrell
PRESIDENT/CEO
NAVICENT HEALTH
FOUNDATION INC.
3330 Northside Drive, Suite 100,
Macon
478-633-GIVE
terrell.ellen@navicenthealth.org
navicenthealth.org/foundation
