Since 1997, Lisa J. Smith has held positions of increasing responsibility in distribution, sales, region operations and management with Georgia Power. Today, Smith is vice president of the west region for Georgia Power. Smith has direct responsibility for the company’s external activities for 550,000 customers across a 72-county area. She also provides leadership and support for power delivery, customer service, sales, community and economic development. A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University.
As a Black woman, what do you consider your superpowers to be?
Courageousness and perseverance. I have always sought out challenges. Most of the achievements that I have experienced in my life began with someone telling me that I could not do it. I have learned that the combination of being brave and persistent will allow for ultimate success and even more opportunities.
What thoughtful or encouraging piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Often girls receive messages while growing up about what it means to be female. My advice to my younger self would be to recognize and celebrate my uniqueness early in life. I would encourage myself to not spend so much time trying to fit inside a defined box, but really determine what my “superpowers” are and how to use them to make an impact.
Why is it important for women of color to work in leadership roles and decision-making capacities?
It is important for women of color to be valued as leaders. We typically demonstrate a level of empathy for employees that allows for a focus on employee development. Through our life experiences, we develop skills for being effective in different environments with different people. This adaptability allows for leadership effectiveness in diverse environments. Finally, we are able to offer a unique perspective that helps to ensure that different views are considered so that the best decisions are made.
How do you help younger women of color?
I am committed to continuing to mentor younger women of color through various intentional efforts at work and in the community. For example, a few years ago, I worked with family members to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of our grandmother for female students majoring in engineering.
As a successful woman in business, what is your greatest or proudest achievement?
When I look back over my 27-year career, the achievement that I am most proud of is the creation of an organization that supports the development of people of color. What began over 18 years ago with a few ladies gathering for lunch, has become an employee resource group of over 700 diverse members focused on developmental opportunities, programming, impactful advocacy, education, and career-defining mentorship.
