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As part of the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Engagement’s Lead@3 speaker series, three women imparted three insights regarding leadership during sessions commencing at 3 p.m. throughout the spring 2025 semester.
Three speakers are invited each semester to present on women’s leadership in higher education and beyond. Juanita Hicks, vice president and chief human resources officer; Brett Jackson, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services; and Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering and 2024 SEC Professor of the Year; all shared their journeys towards leadership and imparted some lessons they acquired along the way.
During her talk on Feb. 12, Hicks emphasized the significance of authenticity in leadership, stating that it’s essential for women to advocate for themselves on their leadership journey while still supporting their individuality. A part of that authenticity involves embracing opportunities that enhance your skills and challenge your limits, which Hicks has done throughout her career.
“I genuinely admire the mission of what we undertake,” Hicks remarked. “I am able to engage in my functional area, but I can also be a part of a vast universe that contributes so much positively to the world. I wanted to embrace that notion.”
Hicks additionally shared several leadership principles she adheres to: granting leadership autonomy through boundaries and clarity in decision-making, providing transparency via data, fostering accountability through knowledge, and remaining relationship-oriented through clear roles and responsibilities.
Jackson, who spoke on March 26, also addressed the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise—even if that entails juggling two jobs simultaneously. While assuming director roles within Auxiliary Services, she also acted as the assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. She currently holds a dual position as associate vice president for Auxiliary Services and chief financial officer of the UGA Foundation.
“When I ventured out of my comfort zone, I experienced remarkable growth,” Jackson stated. “It provided me with a completely different perspective on the university. It allowed me to understand how things function and how Auxiliary Services could integrate.”
Jackson leads from the foundation of ‘why’, assisting her team in cultivating an appreciation for their objectives. She stressed the importance of reflecting on the journey taken and how it influences the path ahead.
In her talk on April 30, Jambeck shared her formula for resilience with attendees. In the environmental engineering field, encountering individuals who are unwilling to comprehend waste and pollution is not unusual. Nonetheless, through persistence, she discovers ways to continue her work.
“There are moments to persevere, and there are moments to exercise patience. They are continually in tension, but also in harmony,” Jambeck articulated. “That is how I have been able to persist.”
She also talked about how professional relationships have enabled her to achieve her career aspirations. As a National Geographic Fellow and creator of a widely-used debris tracker app, Jambeck aspires to cultivate a community for other women. Upon starting at UGA, she was one of three women in her department. Now, the representation of women in the College of Engineering has risen significantly.
“It’s truly wonderful to witness that and to have a community to connect with,” Jambeck expressed.
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