Our Leadership

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. An accomplished seasoned health policy executive, Cheryl brings a wealth of public and private sector experience in developing, managing and implementing innovative health policy solutions to increase efficiency and modernize systems and processes.

As executive director of Georgia Access, Cheryl is responsible for overseeing strategic direction in all functions of the division, including engagement, outreach, policy, operations, compliance, and technology infrastructure. She manages all coordination with key stakeholders in federal, and state government along with professional, community and civic organizations.

Cheryl’s previous roles included, founder, Gardner Strategies a health policy advisory company that counsels states and private entities on marketplace strategies. She previously served in marketplace leadership in three states; CEO of New Mexico’s Health Insurance Exchange; Executive Director of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM); and as Director of Policy and Strategy, Utah Health Exchange.

Cheryl holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University.

Dr. Tangelia Clary-Marshall joined Georgia Access in August 2023 as Director of Engagement. In October 2025 she was elevated to Executive Deputy Director to provide strategic expertise in team cohesion, organizational communication, and executive support across all of the division’s functional areas.

Recognized as a change agent with extensive experience in both the public and non-profit sectors, as Deputy Director, Dr. Clary-Marshall will continue her expertise in driving alignment, strengthening collaboration, and implementing initiatives that foster effective team performance.

Before joining Georgia Access, she served as Director of Human Resources for North Little Rock Wastewater and as Deputy Director for the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM).

Dr. Clary-Marshall holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Arkansas State University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Philander Smith University (formerly Philander Smith College).

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 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. 

Kenya Taylor joined Georgia Access in January 2024 as Assistant Program Manager of Engagement. She was promoted later that year to Assistant Director of Engagement and, in 2025, was appointed Acting Director of Engagement. A dedicated public servant, Kenya brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning military service and state government.

As Acting Director of Engagement, Kenya provides strategic direction for Georgia Access’s internal and external engagement, including stakeholders and partners. She leads the division’s statewide Public Awareness Campaign (PAC), overseeing media, events, and community engagement. Her appointment ensures continuity of Georgia Access’s marketing and outreach strategies for this Open Enrollment period and beyond.

Kenya began her career with 10 years of honorable service in the United States Army. She later served the State of Massachusetts for a decade, holding a managerial role focused on program development, policy implementation, and operational improvements.

Kenya holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

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.

Michael Dawson joined Georgia Access in May of 2024. Michael has years of insurance industry experience having previously served as the manager of the legal division of OCI.

Michael is responsible for keeping Georgia Access in compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Additionally, Michael establishes, maintains, and enforces all Georgia Access policies and procedures.

Michael holds a Juris Doctor from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of West Georgia. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

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.