Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meg Blackwood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Meg with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic was shaped early on, growing up as one of five children in rural middle Tennessee. From a young age, I took on responsibilities like babysitting and keeping things organized at home, all while balancing school and a robust extracurricular schedule. That taught me independence and time management early in life. I charted my own path, choosing to attend college at a different university than everyone else in my family attended, several hundreds of miles away from home. I then put myself through law school, managed both a legal career and raising a family, and learned to build strong relationships along the way. I’ve always believed in applying myself fully and not waiting for someone else to do the hard work for me. That sense of discipline, self-reliance, and commitment to helping others has carried through every stage of my career.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the CEO of InCommunity, a nonprofit organization that has been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families for more than 45 years across the state of Georgia. It was founded by a group of visionary parents who, during a time when institutionalization was the norm, believed their children deserved to live full, inclusive lives within their communities.
Today, InCommunity provides a comprehensive range of services—including residential services, supported employment, host home programs, crisis care, respite services, day programs, and family support services—that all work together to empower individuals to thrive as active members of society. What sets InCommunity apart is the scale and integration of its programs. While many other providers offer just one or two types of support, InCommunity brings them all under one umbrella, creating a holistic approach that helps each person live as independently and meaningfully as possible. With a strong footprint across metro Atlanta, InCommunity supports a broad and diverse population, making it one of the most robust and comprehensive organizations of its kind in the region.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were adaptability, availability, and humility. Early on, someone gave me advice that stuck with me: always be willing to learn, stay open to opportunities, and be ready to show up when you’re needed, even if it’s outside your original plan. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to think you need to follow a straight path or stick to a specific role or goal. But real growth often happens when you’re adaptable enough to say yes to something unexpected and available enough to put in the time and effort. That mindset allowed me to build skills and relationships in places I didn’t initially expect, but that proved to be invaluable. And humility can teach you that no job is too small if it helps you grow. My advice to those early in their journey is to step outside of yourself and approach each opportunity with curiosity. Ask, “What can I learn from this?”—because chances are, the lessons you gain now will show up again.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been transitioning from leading a team to leading an entire organization. Prior to this role, I had never served as a CEO, and I quickly realized that while people often look to the CEO to make decisions, that’s not always what’s best for the organization. I’ve learned the value of empowering others to lead—giving people authority and accountability to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. When I arrived, many leaders weren’t used to being trusted in that way. I spent time assessing each person’s strengths and then provided the support they needed to grow into their roles. That shift has not only improved individual performance but has also positively impacted on the overall culture of the organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.incommunityga.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incommunityga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InCommunityGA/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-blackwood-3918a7159/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjKPkrfq_ODEnOk4Y0Z2tg
Image Credits
Meg working with a group of youth volunteers.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
