35 Upstate Leaders Selected to Become Riley Fellows
FOR INFORMATION:
Claudia Winkler
Director of Marketing and Communications
The Riley Institute at Furman University
864.294.3368; Claudia.winkler@furman.edu
AUGUST 16, 2023 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
35 Upstate Leaders Selected to Become Riley Fellows
Participants will take part in the Riley Institute’s award-winning Diversity Leaders Initiative before joining a network of more than 2,700 graduates across the state.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Thirty-five leaders from across the Upstate will participate in the Riley Institute’s intensive 5-month Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) program, learning the skills and perspectives necessary to leverage diversity in their organizations in ways that drive social and economic progress in South Carolina.
Participants of DLI’s 34th Upstate class were selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by DLI alumni. They are accepted based on a variety of factors, including their interest in and commitment to the program and their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect South Carolina’s demographic makeup.
“Today’s leaders have both a business imperative and a moral obligation to drive change across our state that impacts all levels of society, improving outcomes for everyone,” said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. “This class offers participants the tools and experiences to understand the nuanced challenges facing diverse segments of our community and to develop meaningful solutions.”
DLI classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Company’s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.
Throughout the fall, the class will engage in intensive discussions and scenario analyses that allow them to openly examine sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion with fellow leaders, explore “blind spots,” and gain tools to develop strategies within their own organizations.
Class members also work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities.
“Seeing the robust, impactful programs that the DLI participants develop in just a few months as part of their capstone is inspiring,” says Gordon. “Many of these programs carry on for decades, benefitting communities across our state, and these capstones only provide a glimpse of what these leaders are capable of and will go on to do.”
Graduates of DLI become Riley Fellows, members of a powerful cross-sector network of over 2,700 South Carolinians that includes corporate CEOs, legislators, superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders.
Listed below are the participants of the fall 2023 Upstate DLI class. The full roster of program graduates can be found online.
Alice Ballenger
Director of Strategy, Textiles
Milliken
Spartanburg
Tomeika Bennett
Community Investment Officer
Hollingsworth Funds
Greenville
Michelle Bounds
Manager of Production Control & Steering – Body & Paint Shop
BMW Manufacturing
Greer
Noel Brooks
Director of Development
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Greenville
William Brothers
Dean for the School of Engineering Technology and Professional Studies
Greenville Technical College
Greenville
Anthony Brown
Manager of Electrical/Electronic Planning
BMW Manufacturing
Greer
Rob Carson
Associate Athletic Director for Academic Success, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement
Furman University
Greenville
Erik Ching
Professor of History and Associate Provost for Engaged Learning
Furman University
Greenville
Dorothy Dowe
City Councilmember At Large
City of Greenville
Greenville
Neval Erturk
Associate Provost of Research and Engagement
Converse University
Spartanburg
Keli Fewox
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood
Danielle Fontaine
Artist, SC Arts Commission
Greenville
Tiffany Foster
Director of Mission Advancement
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC
Greenville
Lillian Garcia
Strengthening Families Program Coordinator-Coach
Children’s Trust of South Carolina
Greenville
Mike Gardner
VP Marketing
Michelin North America
Greenville
Trevor Hamilton
VP of Operations
Peace Center
Greenville
Midas Hampton
Founding Executive Director
Strategic Spartanburg
Spartanburg
Dixon Harrill
EVP – Upstate Region Market Executive
Synovus
Greenville
Melissa Huff
Executive Director
YouthBASE
Greenville
Ed Irick
Police Captain
Greenville Police Department
Greenville
Amy Keely
Director, SCALE
The Riley Institute at Furman
Greenville
Andrew Koury
VP NRG Sales North America – B2C
Michelin North America
Greenville
James Lindsey
Talent Development Specialist
Elliott Davis
Greenville
Chad Lott
General Counsel
AnMed
Anderson
Annie Maertens
Executive Director
Pendleton Place
Greenville
Mac McArthur
Professor and Chair of Communication Studies
Furman University
Greenville
Lustra Miller
Assistant Director of Admissions for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Furman University
Greenville
Julian Plasencia
Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Greer
Tyler Prescott
CEO
Upstate LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
Greer
Kira Reaves
Chief Human Resources Officer
Spartanburg School District 7
Spartanburg
Bobby Rettew
Assistant Professor
Anderson University
Anderson
Staci Roberts
Director, AccessHealth Spartanburg
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Spartanburg
Johnny Sellers
Executive Director/CEO; Senior Pastor
The LOT Project; Evergreen Baptist Church
Anderson
Johnny Sexton
Section Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Greer
Teresa Webster
Community Leader
Greenville
###
About the Riley Institute at Furman University
Furman University’s Richard W. Riley Institute advances social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond by building leadership for a diverse society, broadening student and community perspectives on critical issues, hosting expert speakers, supporting public education, and creating knowledge through community solutions-focused research. It is committed to nonpartisanship in all it does and to a rhetoric-free, facts-based approach to change.