Women in Business 2020: Betsy Fitzgerald
A special advertising section championing our local women in business. In partnership with Cox Communications. Photo by Jessica Whitley.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia
President & CEO
2720 Riverside Drive, Macon
478-745-3984
BBBSHeartGA.org
What is the mission of your business?
To create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?
I encourage you to join our network of women who uplift and support each other. Participate in Women in Business events and join Career Women’s Network. We all are stronger when we support each other.
How do you define success?
In my career, success is defined from the impact our work has on children and their families. When our youth improve academically, stay in school and graduate and avoid risky behaviors, they are on the path to becoming great adults. More importantly, we know we are successful when our youth make better personal decisions. We empower the potential that already exists within them.
What are you most excited about right now in our community?
I am passionate about the continued growth of our business community, revitalization of our downtown, and the commitment that community members are showing in supporting One Macon and the cultural arts plan.
You might be surprised to know:
We have served thousands of at-risk youth in Central Georgia for over 66 years. Our programs support kids K-12 in 15 counties, including Macon-Bibb County. BBBS is unique when compared with other current mentoring programs that give preference to more casual youth-mentor relationships that require far less screening and training, prescribed standards, and intense and rigorous relationship supervision.
What is the most gratifying part of your job?
Seeing one of our Littles graduate in our program and return to serve as a mentor so they can help another kid succeed.
What has been the most challenging part of being a woman in business?
Despite it being 2020, women are still not being paid equally or treated the same way as their male counterparts. We not only have to excel at our jobs, we continue to need to defend and fight for respect.
I admire women who:
Keep moving forward with dignity, class and grace no matter what has been thrown at them personally and professionally.
What was the best business advice you ever received?
Always surround yourself with people smarter than you are. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room.
I hope more women will:
Not look at other women as competition. We should support each other and be role models to our girls.
How could women better support each other?
We shouldn’t criticize a woman who fights against misogyny or stands up against sexual harassment. It wasn’t that long ago that women fought for our right to vote.
I wish I had known:
How difficult it is for a woman to take care of a sick child and work. It wasn’t until I had a child that I really understood how hard it is for women who work and don’t have the flexibility to work remotely or be away from work.
Other Info I would Like to Share:
Fundraising is key to our program success as it costs around $1,500 per child in their first year of our program. Our most popular event is the Heart of the Dragon Festival, which is Middle Georgia’s only dragon boat race. Our 11th annual event is May 9 at Lake Tobesofkee. Most of our teams are from area businesses, breast cancer survivor groups and community groups. We provide the boats and training. Everyone is welcome to participate or be a spectator.
