March is a time to recognize women all over the world with the celebration of Women’s History Month, and Georgia Natural Gas proudly celebrates diversity and inclusion in our team. Several key leadership positions are held by women and have been for more than 15 years in some cases. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked several of these leaders what the month means to them and what inspires them to lead.

Erika Douglas

Title: Manager, Marketing Operations, Retail Partnerships and Channel Development  
Time with the company: 19 years
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you.

• The election of the first female Vice-President of the United States, Kamala Harris, is by far the most inspirational to me. Her election as Vice President was a huge glass-breaking moment and a victory for women, especially black women.  It provides a sense of satisfaction in seeing a women rise in a male dominated arena, and sends the message of hope that generations of women throughout our history paved the way for this moment, sacrificing so much for equality of all. 

Trish McFadin

Title: Director, External Affairs & Regulatory Compliance
Time with the company: 20+ years
Which achievement made by women are you most thankful for?  Why?

• I am most thankful for the women who fought for over 70 years to give women the right to vote in this country.  Our right to vote is the very foundation upon which all future achievements for women have been and will continue to be realized.   Voting is the great equalizer!  It is more than a right.  It is our ability to be recognized, to be heard, and to speak for this generation and the generations to come.

Ning Zhang

Title: Director, Quantitative Analytics
Time with the company: 15+ years
What's a takeaway you think people should learn during Women’s History Month:

• Women’s History Month is a time to remember and celebrate the achievements of women across the world. It’s a chance to reflect on the progress we have made in creating fairer societies for women, as well as an opportunity to see how we can do even better. It is an important step towards building a world where both sexes have the opportunity to pursue their personal and career ambitions free from prejudice or discrimination. A safer world with equal opportunity is especially valuable for minority women like me who have to overcome cultural and language barriers as well. I’m glad to see schools and organizations including our company are running different events and programs to reflect the challenges women face and promote the DE&I culture during the month.

Shannon O. Pierce

Title: Vice President, Growth & Chief External Affairs Officer
Time with the company: 18 years
Who inspired you to be a leader and why? 

• My grandmother, mother, and godmother.  These three women were my first examples of leadership in the community and in their professions.  From a very young age, they involved me in their community advocacy activities, and I got to observe them work, lead, and collaborate in their respective professions—entrepreneur, education, and law, respectively. During these early experiences I did not appreciate what leadership meant. Yet, as I reflect on those times, I see their influence in my own approach to leadership.