Macon Magazine

40 maconmagazine.com | April/May 2026 there used to be. HEATHER: And that's a great point. On the security side, there is a framework to follow, and not everything has such a strict framework. It depends on what type of decision you're making. Healthcare has a lot of regulatory considerations, so you follow the framework that you're asked to. TEKQUELL: I think the environment matters, too. The environment here in Macon-Bibb is totally different from where I transitioned from. I'm finding it different. I can't apply the same frameworks because I have a totally different landscape here. HEATHER: And you probably have to use your instincts to navigate that, right? Q How has working in a market like Macon as a woman leader shaped the way you approach leadership or innovation? HEATHER: I've been in the tech field for 26 years, and I think at least for me in the beginning, it was largely male individuals, even going to get certifications. I remember overly trying to compete, because I wanted to prove I am good enough. I think that has gotten better to some degree, but I'm also in healthcare, and healthcare has a lot of women. I've been very blessed in the healthcare world to be surrounded by women and strong leaders that have been very supportive in developing other people. I feel that here with my leader here in Macon, and really the leadership team. CHARLOTTE: For me, the last 15 years are vastly different from anything before then. The transformation we've had in the city-county in that time is greatly beneficial. You're in an area with very strong women and a culture of "best of" brand. While there are still a lot of barriers, the leadership here — if we think of the mayor's office, and business institutions, leadership for major organizations, construction groups, the county — you'll find a lot of women leaders, even in the STEM fields. It's different than you'll find at many other metropolitan cities in Georgia, or in the South. HEATHER: I see a concerted effort to develop STEM programs in the school systems here, and that makes a huge difference. We see a lot of women in technology programs, they've been embracing that. That did not exist when I was coming up through the ranks. CASSANDRA: It's been a need for us to really do this in a way where we have women in the classrooms of those tech programs, so then the younger women see themselves. We've been very intentional about making sure that we have representation of individuals in the classroom, so they can make a connection and know that this is an opportunity for them as well. Q What's a moment in your career where the right decision wasn't obvious, and how did you navigate that ambiguity? HEATHER: For me, this was one of those data versus instinct decisions. I had an opportunity as we were integrating to go work elsewhere, and I would have to relocate, or I could stay and evolve with the health system here. The data wasn't clear. It was a lot about what should I do instinctively. At the end of the day, I really wanted to be close to my family, but I also wanted to be supporting our community and our patients. I leaned on that gut, and so I leaned towards this great community. CASSANDRA: I never thought I would go into education. I was working as a technology director in a large school district, but not as an educator. When the opportunity came to open a college and career academy, I was just like, "I don't know about that." But my gut said this is where I needed to be. It's what allows me to stay there each and every day at work, because I'm seeing an impact of students graduating, going into the tech field and really seeing themselves in those spaces. And

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