UMGC grads are making an impact on Maryland’s economy, and beyond

Heather Teed '97: Systems thinking meets strategic consulting

Heather Teed earned a Master of Science in Management of Technology from UMGC in 1997. Today she leads EOP Consulting, a 100 percent woman-owned small business with offices in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and McLean, Virginia.

EOP helps clients compete and win in high-dollar federal contracting through rigorous analysis and strategic planning. With clients regularly dealing in multi-million-dollar amounts, the stakes are high and expertise matters.

"Our goal is to help clients make the best decisions possible with the data and information available," she said. "They are business owners with passion."

Teed came to UMGC with a background in microbiology, drawn to the technology management graduate program by a love of systems theory and an appetite for understanding how things connect.

"UMGC expanded that systems thinking," she said. "It reinforced the way I see the world. It helped me understand quality, leadership, and management."

She had originally planned to launch her own company after graduating. Instead, a classmate offered her a position at a large government contractor. It was an unexpected detour, and she made the most of it, adapting, learning, and building expertise that prepared her to go out on her own.

"Relationships are very important," said Teed. "My network from school and work has served me immensely. I still run into people from my classes in my career. UMGC taught the importance of these things."