FOR INFORMATION:
\nKatie Quine
\nMarketing and Communications Manager
\nThe Riley Institute at Furman University
\n864.294.3368; katie.quine@furman.edu<\/p>\n
AUGUST 26, 2022 \u2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/p>\n
43 LOWCOUNTRY LEADERS SELECTED TO BECOME RILEY FELLOWS<\/strong> GREENVILLE, S.C. \u2014 Forty-three leaders from across the Lowcountry will have new tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina, gained through their participation in the Riley Institute\u2019s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).<\/p>\n These leaders, who are members of DLI\u2019s 16th Lowcountry class, were selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by DLI alumni. They are uniquely positioned to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a time of significant social strife, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities to improve outcomes for all,\u201d said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. \u201cThe DLI experience will help them as they lead South Carolina toward a better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n DLI classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Company\u2019s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.<\/p>\n Over five months, 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 \u201cblind spots,\u201d and gain tools to develop strategies within their own organizations.<\/p>\n Class members also work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities.<\/p>\n Graduates of DLI become Riley Fellows, members of a powerful cross-sector network of South Carolinians that includes corporate CEOs, legislators, superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders.<\/p>\n \u201cWith more than 2,500 Riley Fellows statewide, the impact these tight-knit leaders have is amplified with the addition of every new class,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cIt\u2019s a special thing to witness them coming together to make South Carolina a better place to live and work for all its residents.\u201d<\/p>\n Listed below are the participants of the fall 2022 Lowcountry DLI class. The full roster of program graduates can be found online at www.furman.edu\/riley.<\/p>\n Fall 2022 Lowcountry class participants:<\/p>\n Robert Behre<\/strong> Evan Bromley<\/strong> Monique Brown<\/strong> Mike Carter<\/strong> Sarah Castle<\/strong> Melanie Colclough<\/strong> Ana Corson<\/strong> Beverly Cowart<\/strong> Jamie DeMent<\/strong> Grayson Dorr<\/strong> Oscar Douglas<\/strong> Gina Ellis-Strother<\/strong> Jerry Evans<\/strong> Phil Ford<\/strong> Karel Givens<\/strong> Emily Guerrero<\/strong> Chris Harvey<\/strong> Veronica Hemmingway<\/strong> Anita Huggins<\/strong> Matt Johnson<\/strong> Blaik Keppler<\/strong> Kristen Lanier<\/strong> Lindsay Leonard<\/strong> J. Malik Lightbourne<\/strong> Tonya Matthews<\/strong> Cindi May<\/strong> Kylon Middleton<\/strong> Mitch Mitchell<\/strong> Kyra Morris<\/strong> Evelyn Oliveira<\/strong> Jennifer Owens<\/strong> Beth Patrick<\/strong> Debbie Rice<\/strong> Mikell Richards<\/strong> Chris Richardson<\/strong> Reeves Skeen<\/strong> Dale Threatt-Taylor<\/strong> Julie Walker<\/strong> Richard Waring<\/strong> Richard Waring<\/strong> Marty Watson<\/strong> Holly Whitfield<\/strong> Karen Wrighten<\/strong> ###<\/p>\n About the Riley Institute at Furman University<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Forty-three leaders from across the Lowcountry will have new tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina, gained through their participation in the Riley Institute\u2019s Diversity Leaders Initiative.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1183,"template":"","update-categories":[11,18],"class_list":["post-1182","furman-update","type-furman-update","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","furman-update-category-diversity-strategies","furman-update-category-news-release"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/furman-update"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"furman-update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-categories?post=1182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nOver the next five months, they will participate in the Riley Institute\u2019s award-winning Diversity Leaders Initiative before joining a network of more than 2,500 graduates across the state.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEditorial Writer
\nThe Post and Courier
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nAttorney
\nBromley Law Firm LLC
\nBluffton<\/p>\n
\nSenior Corporate Counsel & Privacy Officer
\nBenefitfocus
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nCEO
\neGroup
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nDirector, Amazon Technical Academy
\nAmazon
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nExecutive Director
\nSouth Carolina Arts Alliance
\nSummerville<\/p>\n
\nContracts Administrator
\nAdvanced Technology International
\nSummerville<\/p>\n
\nSVP Talent Solutions
\nSouth Carolina Ports Authority
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nTalent and Strategic Initiatives
\nCRDA
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nInvestment Finance Manager
\nSouth Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
\nSummerville<\/p>\n
\nDirector of General Counsel Investigations
\nCharleston County School Distrct
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nChief Administration Officer
\nCharleston County Park and Recreation Commission
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nAttorney
\nRogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nPublic Relations and Proposal Development Officer
\nThe Regional Medical Center
\nOrangeburg<\/p>\n
\nDBE Liaison Officer
\nCharleston County Aviation Authority
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nPro Bono Coordinator
\nNelson Mullins
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nCorporate Director of Operations
\nCharlestowne Hotels
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nSouthern Lowcountry Program Director, Grantmaking & Community Leadership
\nCoastal Community Foundation
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nDeputy Superintendent
\nCharleston County School Distrct
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nCenter Director, Beidler Forest Audubon Center
\nNational Audubon Society
\nHarleyville<\/p>\n
\nDeputy Director, Marine Resources
\nSC Department of Natural Resources
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nDirector
\nBerkeley County Economic Development
\nMoncks Corner<\/p>\n
\nSenior Director, Government Operations
\nBoeing
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nManager, Talent Management
\nSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
\nAiken<\/p>\n
\nPresident and CEO
\nInternational African American Museum
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nProfessor of Psychology
\nCollege of Charleston
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nPastor
\nMount Zion AME Church
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nCouncilman
\nCity of Beaufort
\nBeaufort<\/p>\n
\nPresident
\nMorris Financial Concepts
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nAssociate Pastor
\nCircular Church
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nAssociate General Counsel
\nSonepar
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nVice Chancellor for Operations, Finance and IT
\nUniversity of South Carolina Beaufort
\nBluffton<\/p>\n
\nSenior Philanthropic Specialist
\nWells Fargo
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nRegional Sales Manager
\nUnited Community Bank
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nGeneral Counsel and COO
\nBDV Solutions, LLC
\nGreenville<\/p>\n
\nArea Executive
\nFirst Citizens Bank
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nExecutive Director
\nThe Nature Conservancy South Carolina
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nPresident
\nJ.H. Walker Legacy Foundation
\nMt. Pleasant<\/p>\n
\nAttorney at law
\nLaw Office of Richard Waring, LLC
\nCharleston<\/p>\n
\nVice President and Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
\nCharleston Chamber Foundation
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nChief Power Supply Officer
\nSantee Cooper
\nMoncks Corner<\/p>\n
\nExecutive Director
\nAlliance for Full Acceptance
\nNorth Charleston<\/p>\n
\nAssistant Vice President\/Campus Dean
\nTrident Technical College
\nMoncks Corner<\/p>\n
\nFurman University\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n