Georgia Access is a division within Georgia’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI) responsible for managing Georgia’s State-based Exchange (SBE).
Georgia Access is led by Cheryl Gardner and overseen by OCI Commissioner John F. King. To learn more about the Georgia Access leadership team, read below.
Cheryl Gardner was appointed as the Executive Director of Georgia Access in May 2023. A seasoned executive, Cheryl brings a wealth of public and private sector experience in developing, managing, and implementing innovative health policy solutions aimed at increasing efficiency by modernizing systems and processes. Most recently, she founded Gardner Strategies, a health policy advisory company, where she advised states and private entities on marketplace strategies. She previously served in marketplace leadership in three states, as the CEO of New Mexico’s Health Insurance Exchange (beWellnm), as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM), and as Director of Policy and Strategy for the Utah Health Exchange. Cheryl is responsible for overseeing all Georgia Access Division stand-up and staffing efforts, establishing new policies, business processes, and technology infrastructure, and coordinating on behalf of Georgia Access with key stakeholders.
Cheryl holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University.
Lavinia Lowe joined Georgia Access in July 2023. Lavinia brings extensive experience working across public and private sectors in Georgia. Prior to Georgia Access, she served as the Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs for Piedmont Healthcare. Lavinia returns to state government building upon over 10 years of public service where she held senior-level roles with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), the Georgia Governor’s Office of Disability Services (ODS), and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Lavinia is responsible for establishing Georgia Access’s policies and procedures and maintaining ongoing exchange operations, including overseeing compliance with federal and state regulations and health plan certification.
Lavinia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from Kennesaw State University.
Kiernan Conn joined Georgia Access in June 2023. Prior to Georgia Access, he spent over 20 years consulting for states and private insurers. He worked to stand up several successful State-based Exchanges (SBEs), helping to launch both HealthSourceRI in Rhode Island and Pennie in Pennsylvania. Kiernan also played a key role in stabilizing and ensuring a successful Open Enrollment (OE) 2023 and Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwinding for New Mexico’s Health Insurance Exchange (beWellnm). Kiernan is responsible for providing strategic support and oversight of specific operations for Georgia Access.
Kiernan holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Virginia and a triple-degree Bachelor of Arts with majors in Chemistry, Psychology, and Anthropology from Dartmouth College.
Dr. Tangelia Clary-Marshall joined Georgia Access in August 2023. Tangelia is an experienced leader having served in executive positions in both government and nonprofits. Prior to joining Georgia Access, she was the Director of Human Resources for North Little Rock Wastewater and prior to that she served as the Deputy Director of Business for Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM). Tangelia is responsible for providing strategic direction for Georgia Access’s external engagement and outreach, including marketing strategies, program messaging, and Assister programs.
Tangelia holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, a Master of Public Administration degree (MPA) from Arkansas State University, and a Bachelor in Business Administration and Management degree from Philander Smith University (formerly Philander Smith College).
Hariprakash (Hari) Venkatachalam joined Georgia Access in July 2023. Hari brings years of state government technology and operations experience. Prior to joining Georgia Access, Hari served as the Director of Application of Child Support Application, and Director of Agency Onboarding and Infrastructure Operations for the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). In his earlier career, he served as the Project Management Office (PMO) and Technology Lead at Connecticut Health Exchange and was the Information Technology (IT) Delivery Program Director at Cognizant Technology Solutions, handling health care accounts. Hari is responsible for overseeing all technical operations for Georgia Access, including privacy and security, system implementation, and IT strategic direction.
Hari holds a Master’s degree (PGDBA) in Marketing from Symbiosis University, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Anna University.