{"id":958,"date":"2021-12-09T18:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T18:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/?post_type=furman-update&p=958"},"modified":"2021-12-15T18:33:47","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T18:33:47","slug":"30th-upstate-diversity-leaders-initiative-class-graduates","status":"publish","type":"furman-update","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/news\/30th-upstate-diversity-leaders-initiative-class-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"40 leaders graduate from 30th Upstate Diversity Leaders Initiative class"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR INFORMATION:
\n<\/strong>Katie Quine
\nMarketing and Communications Manager
\nThe Riley Institute at Furman University
\n864.294.3368; katie.quine@furman.edu<\/p>\n

DECEMBER 9, 2021 \u2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/p>\n

40 UPSTATE LEADERS GRADUATE FROM THE RILEY INSTITUTE\u2019S AWARD-WINNING DIVERSITY PROGRAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Class participants join a network of more than<\/em> 2,300 Riley Fellows across South Carolina. <\/em><\/p>\n

GREENVILLE, S.C. \u2014 Forty leaders from across the Upstate 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 graduated from DLI\u2019s 30th Upstate class on December 8, took part in intensive discussions and scenario analyses that allowed them to openly examine sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion with fellow leaders, explore \u201cblind spots,\u201d and gain tools to develop diversity strategies within their own organizations. Since its inception 18 years ago, DLI has become a cornerstone of Furman University\u2019s Riley Institute. More than 2,300 leaders from across the state have graduated from the program.<\/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

\u201cSociety faces enormous challenges on multiple fronts in 2021. Now more than ever, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities in the pursuit of better outcomes for all,\u201d said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. \u201cI look forward to seeing how our newest Riley Fellows continue to drive positive change in their workplaces and communities with the tools they\u2019ve gained in DLI, even in these unprecedented times.\u201d<\/p>\n

DLI is facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, who was The Coca-Cola Company\u2019s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.<\/p>\n

Participants are selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by existing Riley Fellows. They are accepted based on their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.<\/p>\n

Class members worked together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities. These nonprofits included Disability Rights South Carolina, Let There Be Mom, Jasmine Road, the International African American Museum, and Beauty Marks for Girls.<\/p>\n

The full roster of Riley Fellows is available online at www.furman.edu\/riley. These are the graduates of the fall 2021 Upstate DLI class:<\/p>\n

Amit Arora
\n<\/strong>CRM Director
\nMichelin North America
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Katelyn Berry
\n<\/strong>Senior Director of Brand & Retail Marketing\/eCommerce
\nMichelin North America
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Joshua Buckley
\n<\/strong>Assembly Manager
\nBMW Manufacturing
\nGreer, SC<\/p>\n

Mike Bundy
\n<\/strong>CEO – Prisma Health Baptist and Baptist Parkridge Hospitals
\nPrisma Health
\nColumbia, SC<\/p>\n

Jackie Carson
\n<\/strong>Head Women’s Basketball Coach
\nFurman University
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Eric Connor
\n<\/strong>Local Editor – Reporter
\nThe Post and Courier
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Robin Dease
\n<\/strong>Lead Pastor
\nThe United Methodist Church
\nBluffton, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremiah Dew
\n<\/strong>Entrepreneur
\nJDew Productions, LLC
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Julia Dietz
\n<\/strong>Policy Director
\nAudubon South Carolina
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

LaTomya Doctor
\n<\/strong>Director of Human Resources
\nSC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Basil Dosunmu
\n<\/strong>Senior Vice President – Administration and Finance\/CFO
\nGreenville-Spartanburg Airport District
\nGreer, SC<\/p>\n

Akili Franklin
\n<\/strong>News Director
\nWYFF 4\/Hearst Television
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Melanie Gearhart
\n<\/strong>Director, Business Services
\nGoodwill Industries of Upstate\/Midlands SC
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Meredith Green
\n<\/strong>General Counsel
\nFurman University
\nGreenville, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paola Gutierrez
\n<\/strong>Lead Strategist
\nSC Office of Rural Health
\nLexington, SC<\/p>\n

Jeff Harris
\n<\/strong>Tribal Attorney
\nCatawba Indian Nation
\nRock Hill, SC<\/p>\n

Robert Hughes
\n<\/strong>President
\nHughes Development Corporation
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Allen Jacoby
\n<\/strong>Chief Strategy Officer & Sr. VP Corp. Development
\nMilliken and Company
\nSpartanburg, SC<\/p>\n

Merle Johnson
\n<\/strong>Director of Economic and Community Development
\nCity of Greenville
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

JaLisa Jordan
\n<\/strong>Live Healthy Spartanburg Program Manager
\nSpartanburg Regional Healthcare System
\nSpartanburg, SC<\/p>\n

Jordy Kirr
\n<\/strong>Director of Administrative Projects and Operations
\nClemson University Athletic Department
\nClemson, SC<\/p>\n

Kasel Knight
\n<\/strong>General Counsel
\nMilliken and Company
\nSpartanburg, SC<\/p>\n

Cammie Mackie
\n<\/strong>Vice President of Marketing
\nMilliken and Company
\nSpartanburg, SC<\/p>\n

Sylvia Martin
\n<\/strong>Executive Director
\nThe Arts Council of Greenwood County
\nGreenwood, SC<\/p>\n

Travis McDowell
\n<\/strong>Director, Advising & Retention
\nGreenville Technical College
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Chuck McFadden
\n<\/strong>Associate General Counsel
\nMichelin North America
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Smyth McKissick
\n<\/strong>President
\nAlice Company
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Chelsea McNeill
\n<\/strong>Circuit Public Defender, 8th Judicial Circuit
\nSouth Carolina Public Defender\u2019s Office
\nGreenwood, SC<\/p>\n

Kevin Mertens
\n<\/strong>Director of Faith in Action
\nChrist Church Episcopal
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Beth Messick
\n<\/strong>Executive Director
\nJasmine Road
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

John Milby
\n<\/strong>Chief of Police
\nFurman University
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Chunsta Miller
\n<\/strong>Regional Goodwill Ambassador
\nWashington Prime Group
\nMoore, SC<\/p>\n

LaKeta Norwood
\n<\/strong>Inclusion Partner
\nPrisma Health
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Katherine Pendergrass
\n<\/strong>Community Outreach
\nReGenesis Health Care
\nChester, SC<\/p>\n

Catherine Schumacher
\n<\/strong>President and CEO
\nPublic Education Partners
\nGreenville, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tracy Smoak
\n<\/strong>Manager Regional Steering, Market Operations
\nBMW Manufacturing
\nGreer, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hariette Stinson
\n<\/strong>Human Resource Manager
\nSpartanburg Water
\nSpartanburg, SC<\/p>\n

Eric Vinson
\n<\/strong>City Administrator
\nCity of Travelers Rest
\nTravelers Rest, SC<\/p>\n

George Ward
\n<\/strong>Employee Relations Representative
\nGreenville County Schools
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Heather Witt
\n<\/strong>Principal Consultant
\nKulic Strategic Advisers
\nBoiling Springs, SC<\/p>\n

#####<\/p>\n

About the Riley Institute at Furman University<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furman University\u2019s Richard W. Riley Institute advances social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond by building leadership for a diverse society, hosting expert speakers to broaden perspectives on critical issues, 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. Learn more at www.furman.edu\/riley.<\/p>\n

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