Henry County Advisory Roundtable with Sandra Vincent, Mayor of the City of McDonough

For over three decades, Sandra Vincent has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service, advancing policies and programs that uplift communities and promote equity across all levels of government. A seasoned public administrator, respected municipal leader, and tireless advocate for inclusive progress, her career has been marked by a deep sense of purpose and an unrelenting focus on improving lives.

Sandra’s journey began in high school when she served as a congressional intern in a local district office. That early experience opened her eyes to the power of government to impact everyday lives and inspired what would become a lifelong devotion to public service. Since that time, she has cultivated a broad and impactful career, serving in roles that span federal program administration, county government leadership, and municipal governance.

At the county and federal levels, Sandra held key administrative and management roles where she oversaw critical programs in health and human services, housing, and community development. She became a trusted leader in navigating complex regulatory environments, ensuring program compliance, managing public funds with integrity, and building coalitions that brought resources and results to underserved populations.

Sandra transitioned into elected leadership through her service on the McDonough City Council, where she quickly earned a reputation as a thoughtful, collaborative, and principled policymaker. Her Council tenure was defined by a focus on transparency, responsible growth, and community voice, working to improve infrastructure, modernize city services, and foster civic engagement.

In a defining moment for the city, Sandra Vincent made history as the first African American woman elected Mayor of McDonough. Her election marked not just a personal achievement, but a powerful shift in the city’s narrative, symbolizing inclusive leadership and a bold vision for the future. As Mayor, she has led McDonough through a transformative era marked by strategic growth, community revitalization, and a renewed focus on health, equity, and sustainability.

Her administration is guided by a comprehensive framework built around ten core pillars: citizen engagement; fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency; collaboration and innovation; technological and system advancement; fair and equitable policy development; public safety; mobility and transportation; quality of life; economic and small business development; and employee and organizational development.

Mayor Vincent has prioritized health equity by launching the city’s first initiative focused on chronic disease prevention, mental health awareness, and environmental stewardship. She has strengthened McDonough’s business climate through support for local entrepreneurs and historic preservation efforts, while investing in public spaces, transportation solutions, and youth development programs. Her work ensures that growth in McDonough is not only sustainable—but just and community-centered.

Across all stages of her career, Sandra Vincent has embodied the highest ideals of public service. She is a mentor, a builder, and a bridge, committed to uniting people, ideas, and resources for the common good. She is widely recognized for her integrity, her deep institutional knowledge, and her ability to lead with empathy and effectiveness.

From her early days as a high school intern in a congressional office to her current role as Mayor of one of Georgia’s fastest-growing cities, Sandra Vincent has consistently answered the call to serve. Her legacy is one of transformation of systems, of spaces, and of lives.