After completing the nine-month ABC of Georgia Future Leaders program in November 2025, safety professional and operations manager Sarah Billard shared a candid, refreshingly honest reflection on her experience—one she says ultimately led to personal growth, deeper emotional awareness, and a better understanding of how to communicate more effectively with others.
When Kate Badey, President of Safety Consultants USA, first mentioned this opportunity to Sarah, she was worried about balancing her priorities. Sarah said, “I manage a wide range of weekly tasks and duties, all of which are time-sensitive and deadline-driven. I initially was concerned about how I would keep up with everything.” Despite hesitation, Sarah trusted Kate’s vision for her and committed to participating fully in the program.
Kate shared, “We have historically used this class for our team members to help them recognize how they can assimilate into a team and still use their unique skills to contribute to problem-solving.” She further added, “With Sarah, I recognized how pivotal her role is to our cohesiveness and how critical her ability to use these same skills is to everyone’s success. After this program, I see Sarah using the strategies she learned to manage stressful situations and communicate effectively. She is an even stronger leader for our organization, our clients, and for the industry.”
Looking back, Sarah said the experience was transformational and valuable. The most significant benefit came from Holly Moore, President of Hollis Strategies, whose curriculum focused on emotional intelligence, personal awareness, and behavioral patterns.
“Holly helped us define ourselves—not in a rigid way, but in a way that made us see how we typically think, act, and respond,” Sarah explains. “It was validating to realize there are other people who think like me. And people who think differently aren’t necessarily wrong, just different.”
This insight changed more than Sarah’s leadership—it also reshaped her relationships. Through exercises and discussion, she gained clarity about communication, conflict triggers, and how personality differences influence relationships. “I learned why I sometimes feel frustrated working with others, even when we’re striving for similar outcomes in different ways,” Sarah shared. “The exercises helped me step back, understand others without judgment, and collaborate better.”
Another influential session centered on the concept of “respecting the pause,” encouraging participants to slow down before reacting. Sarah found this principle especially powerful and has applied it both personally and professionally.
“One standout aspect of the program was the sense of confidentiality among participants. I valued the environment that encouraged transparency. The emotional and mental space felt open. No one cared about job titles—we were all there to learn how to be better team members and improve our leadership skills to use when needed,“ Sarah said. “There were professionals of all ages, and I kept thinking how valuable this self-awareness is for all of us, no matter how many years we’ve been working,” she reflected.
Ultimately, Sarah describes the program as a surprising source of personal and professional growth. She said, “Understanding myself helps me communicate better with everyone on our team. And this means better team productivity and outcomes for our clients.”
Asked if she would recommend the program to other safety professionals, Sarah said, “Absolutely. It’s a worthwhile investment in time, energy, and effort. For those who participate—especially earlier in their careers—it offers significant value.”
To learn more about Sarah, click here.
About ABC of Georgia
Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia (ABC of Georgia) is a network of companies and professionals within the develop-design-build industry. Founded by a group of contractors in 1971, ABC of Georgia was established to unite the local construction industry and promote the merit shop philosophy throughout Georgia. Today, we’re committed to supporting the growth of construction professionals in both the field and office and strengthening our industry and the local economy. For more information, visit their website.
