Arizona native Ashlee Acosta has always been good at math. Growing up with an accountant father, Ashlee spent her childhood surrounded by numbers. But despite seeing a lack of women represented in STEM fields, she knew from a young age that she wanted to be an engineer.
In 2014 she made good on that early dream, receiving a degree in biosystems engineering from Auburn University. Ashlee began her Georgia Power career after a brief stint working as an environmental engineer in Montgomery, Alabama when an opportunity presented itself to work under Michelle Fuqua, an early mentor, as a distribution engineer.
Today, Ashlee serves as a construction engineer where she is a crucial piece of the construction of power infrastructure in the state of Georgia.
She was kind enough to answer a few questions about her experience at Georgia Power and the importance of honoring the women whose example creates opportunities for all.
Stephanie Hill-Sheppard joined Georgia Power as a Collections Specialists in May 2000 after beginning her career working for the IRS and Atlanta’s Grady Health Systems. A native of Atlanta, Stephanie began her life in northwest Atlanta and later moved off Cascade Road near what has become the Atlanta Beltline’s southwest trail. After Stephanie’s father, who worked as an elevator technician, was diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of his prolonged on-the-job exposure to harmful chemicals, she realized the paramount importance of workplace safety.
After working in customer service for a little over a year, Stephanie was given the opportunity to become the Administrative Assistant in Transmission Line Design in Forest Park. Eventually, she accepted a position at Klondike Training Center as the Administrative Assistant in PD Safety and Training. There, she cemented her passion for safety - and in 2015, while still working as a safety and training administrative assistant, Stephanie enrolled in Columbia Southern University where she earned a bachelor degree in occupational safety and Health. In 2016, Stephanie became a Safety Specialist, which is the position she holds today
Stephanie is an integral part of Georgia Power’s commitment to safety and we’re thrilled to be able to share a brief Q&A about her experience at Georgia Power and the importance of creating space to honor women’s achievements both in the workplace and beyond.
Dr. Aby Parsons, Diversity, Equity + Inclusion manager (DE+I), has been with Georgia Power for almost three years and has over 15 years of experience in education, leadership development and social justice in the U.S. and England.
Prior to joining Georgia Power, Aby spent five years as the founding Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Agender (LGBTQIA) Resource Center at Georgia Tech. She obtained her Ph. D. from Emory University in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and is always excited about Women’s History Month.
Aby answered a few questions about her experience with the company and the importance of celebrating Women’s History Month through the DE+I lens.
Fran Forehand, senior vice president of Power Delivery, is a 30-year employee of the Southern Company system with an expertise in Power Delivery field operations. Starting her career in the co-op program at Alabama Power Company (APC), Fran officially joined APC as an Electrical Engineer following her college graduation.
From the co-op program to her current role, she has thoroughly enjoyed a very rewarding career in field operations and engineering.
Fran answered a few questions about her experience with the company and the importance of honoring the women who lead by example and create opportunities for all.