Riley Institute selects new class of diversity leaders

Poised to join more than 1,700 Riley Fellows from across the state, 43 leaders from the Upstate and surrounding areas have been selected to participate in the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).

“We are excited to welcome these accomplished people into DLI. The relationships they will form and tools they will gain over the course of the DLI program will support their progress as passionate and influential leaders in the state,” says Dr. Don Gordon, Executive Director of the Riley Institute.

Class members meet over the course of five months in a format driven by timely, relevant case studies and other experiential learning tools designed to maximize interactions and productive relationships among program participants.

DLI is facilitated by Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and former Coca-Cola Vice President. “DLI is unique among South Carolina’s leadership programs. In addition to the opportunity to develop new relationships and take part in positive action in their communities, participants gain deep knowledge of how to effectively manage and lead increasingly diverse workers, clients and constituents,” says Johnson.

As part of the program, leaders also work in cross-sector groups to respond to real issues and opportunities in their communities through capstone service projects.

Participants, who reflect South Carolina’s demographics and who represent the corporate, nonprofit, education, faith-based and government sectors, are chosen by nomination and application.

“It is increasingly evident that our state benefits from having a unified body of leaders committed to working to break down barriers that hinder progress as we move toward a thriving economy and brighter future for all South Carolinians,” Gordon says.

The Riley Fellows for DLI Upstate Class 22 are:

Deborah Allen
Associate Director for Diversity Programs and Student Activities
Furman University
Greenville

Selynto Anderson
Manager of Community Prevention & Wellness Services
Self Regional Healthcare
Wellness Works
Greenville

Bruce Barkley
News Director
WYFF 4
Greenville

Kevin Bryant
Resident Managing Director
Aon Risk Solutions
Greenville

Laura Caligan-Gilliam
Chief Strategy Officer
The Graham Foundation
Greenville

Starla Collins-Ross
School Development Coach
New Tech Network
Napa, Calif.

Cara Cornelius
Vice President of Customer Service
Michelin North America
Greenville

Brad Cuttino
Recreation Administrator
City of Greenville
Greenville

Ralph Dimenna
COO Michelin Americas Truck Tires
Michelin North America
Greenville

Jason Elliott
Attorney
Jason Elliott, Attorney at Law, LLC
Greenville

Corey Epps
Section Manager
BMW
Greer

Stephanie Estrada
Vice President of Finance
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC
Greenville

Janet Foster-Whitley
Director of Sales & Operations & Administration
Michelin North America
Greenville

Alex Garvey
Senior Vice President of Mission
Bon Secours St. Francis
Greenville

Danielle Gibbs
Regional Director
Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott
Greenville

Cheryl Grant
Director and Staff Counsel
SYNNEX Corporation
Greenville

Gerald Hunt
Captain
Greenville Police Department
Greenville

Chris Kerscher
Market Development Manager
A. Schulman
Greenville

Tricia Linder
Director of Diversity
Michelin
Greenville

Akan Malici
Associate Professor
Furman University
Greenville

Mike McGirr
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Feed & Seed
Greenville

Kim Moultrie
Parks and Recreation Superintendent
City of Spartanburg
Spartanburg

Margaret Oakes
Professor of English; Director of Writing Programs
Furman University
Greenville

Mark Patterson
VP of Environment, Health and Safety for North America
Michelin North America
Greenville

Beth Paul
General Manager
Greenville Arena District
Greenville

Courtney Porrello
HR Recruiter/Talent Acquisition
Clemson University
Clemson

Mikelle Porter
Director, Benson Campus
Greenville Technical College
Greenville

Karen Potter
Manager, Public Relations
Greenville Health System
Greenville

Dennis Raines
Mayor; Vice President of Finance
City of Mauldin; Habitat for Humanity
Greenville

Summer Ramsey
Communications Director
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
Columbia

Jane Robelot Decarvalho
Vice President
Carolina Zoom Studios and Video Productions
Greenville

Luanne Runge
President and CEO
Liberty Fellowship
Greenville

Rebecca Rush
Section Manager- Indirect Purchasing
BMW Manufacturing Co, LLC
Greer

Scott Sasser
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Greenville Health System
Greenville

JoKeitha Seabrook
Community Engagement Manager
United Way of Greenville County
Greenville

Lamont Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate
Greenville

Tony Thomas
Barber; Community Leader
Spartanburg

Peter Tilkemeier
Chair, Department of Medicine
Greenville Health System
Greenville

Bobbie Watts
Director of Ergonomics
Michelin North America
Greenville

Gage Weekes
Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Hollingsworth Funds
Greenville

Lisa Wells
Chairman, School Board Trustee
Greenville County Schools
Greenville

Cheryl Wiggins
Senior Manager, Community and Public Affairs
Fluor
Greenville

Shane Williams
Director of Organizational Development
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare
Spartanburg

Learn more about the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative. Or contact Megan Dodgens, Manager of Diversity Leadership Programs at (864) 294-3253, or megan.dodgens@furman.edu.