Her Story
About Sherry
Sherry DeVouse Dennard, ChFC®, is an insurance entrepreneur, agency owner, and business leader serving as Agent/Owner and CEO of Sherry DeVouse-Dennard State Farm in McDonough, Georgia. She brings approximately nine years of experience in the insurance industry, including more than seven years operating her own agency. Her career began with a State Farm internship before she spent more than a decade building experience in the pharmaceutical industry through roles in sales, procurement, planning, supply chain management, and process control with organizations including Merck, Merial, and Boehringer Ingelheim. Her diverse business background has given her a strong foundation in leadership, operations, business development, and client service.
Dennard specializes in life insurance and financial protection while also providing a broad range of personal and commercial insurance solutions, including auto, home, renters, motorcycle, boat, disability, business owners, commercial property, general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, professional liability, and umbrella coverage. Her approach to insurance is rooted in education and helping individuals and families prepare for life's uncertainties while protecting their financial futures and legacies. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Albany State University and a Master of Science in Leadership/Organization Effectiveness and Business Management from Troy University. In February 2026, she earned the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation from The American College of Financial Services, credential ID 177407613.
Throughout her career, Dennard has been recognized through State Farm's Chairman's Circle and Ambassador Club programs. Beyond professional achievement, she is passionate about community service, particularly supporting underprivileged children and helping young people gain exposure to opportunities they may not otherwise encounter. Her own journey—from stepping away from an agency ownership opportunity because of fear to ultimately pursuing it rather than living with regret—has shaped her philosophy of courage, resilience, and reinvention. She is passionate about encouraging women to believe in themselves, take meaningful risks, build supportive networks, and recognize that it is never too late to pursue a bigger vision.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sherry
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to believing in myself, taking the leap despite fear, staying laser-focused on succeeding, pursuing the dream that God placed in my heart, and learning to move beyond failures rather than allowing them to stop me. I experienced a defining "what if" moment after stepping away from an agency ownership opportunity in 2016 because of fear. Two years later, I decided I would rather take the chance than live with regret. That decision taught me the importance of courage, persistence, and continuing to grow through setbacks.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It's a marathon, not a sprint! Focus on your race and stop comparing yourself to others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to believe in themselves, take calculated risks, and not allow fear or uncertainty to determine what they believe is possible. It is important to surround yourself with people who challenge you, support your ambitions, and encourage you to reach higher. I also believe women should understand that mistakes and failures are not evidence that they cannot succeed; they can become some of the most valuable lessons we carry into the next stage of our careers. It is never too late to reinvent yourself or pursue something bigger.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the continuing challenges in insurance is helping people understand the importance of protection before they experience a major loss. Life insurance in particular can be difficult for families to discuss because it requires confronting uncomfortable possibilities. I see education as one of the most important ways insurance professionals can overcome that barrier.
At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities for women in insurance and entrepreneurship. The industry provides opportunities to build businesses, develop long-term client relationships, educate communities, mentor future leaders, and create financial independence. I see insurance as a vehicle for broader impact because it allows me to help families protect their futures while demonstrating to other women that it is possible to take risks, reinvent yourself, and build something meaningful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place a strong value on family, faith, self-belief, preparation, service, education, resilience, personal growth, and leaving a meaningful legacy. My work has shown me that life can change unexpectedly, which has strengthened my belief in helping families prepare for the future rather than assuming there will always be more time.
I also value authenticity and perseverance. I do not believe success requires avoiding mistakes. Instead, I believe mistakes and failures can become some of the most valuable lessons we carry into the next stage of our lives. Ultimately, I want my professional success to mean something beyond myself, particularly by encouraging other women to recognize their potential and pursue opportunities they may have once believed were out of reach.
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