{"id":974,"date":"2021-12-16T12:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/?post_type=furman-update&p=974"},"modified":"2021-12-16T15:02:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T15:02:36","slug":"39-lowcountry-leaders-graduate-from-the-riley-institutes-award-winning-diversity-program","status":"publish","type":"furman-update","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/news\/39-lowcountry-leaders-graduate-from-the-riley-institutes-award-winning-diversity-program\/","title":{"rendered":"39 Lowcountry leaders graduate from the Riley Institute’s award-winning diversity program"},"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 16, 2021 \u2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/p>\n

39 LOWCOUNTRY LEADERS GRADUATE FROM THE RILEY INSTITUTE\u2019S AWARD-WINNING DIVERSITY PROGRAM
\n<\/strong>Class participants join a network of more than<\/em> 2,300 Riley Fellows across South Carolina. <\/em><\/p>\n

GREENVILLE, S.C. \u2014 Thirty-nine leaders from across the Lowcountry 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 15th Lowcountry class on December 16, 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 Village to Village Foundation, My Community\u2019s Keeper, Freedom Readers, Liberty Hill Neighborhood, and Our Lady of Mercy.<\/p>\n

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

Amer<\/strong> Ahmad
\n<\/strong>Attorney
\nAhmad Injury Law
\nAtlanta, GA<\/p>\n

Cathy<\/strong> Almquist
\n<\/strong>Vice President for Education
\nTrident Technical College
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Annie<\/strong> Andrews
\n<\/strong>Associate Professor of Pediatrics
\nMedical University of South Carolina
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Erin<\/strong> Aylor
\n<\/strong>Senior Vice President of Marketing
\nCharleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
\nNorth Charleston, SC<\/p>\n

Tracy<\/strong> Bradshaw
\n<\/strong>Executive Director
\nYEScarolina
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Mamie Bush
\n<\/strong>Director of Sales and Marketing
\nHilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront\/Downtown
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Angela<\/strong> Christian
\n<\/strong>County Administrator
\nGeorgetown County
\nGeorgetown, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Herbert<\/strong> Drayton
\n<\/strong>Managing Partner
\nHI Mark Capital
\nNorth Charleston, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gil<\/strong> Einstein
\n<\/strong>William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Psychology – Retired
\nFurman University
\nGreenville, SC<\/p>\n

Bryson<\/strong> Geer
\n<\/strong>Attorney
\nNelson Mullins
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Henry<\/strong> Givens
\n<\/strong>Vice President
\nTD Bank
\nMt. Pleasant, SC<\/p>\n

Rich<\/strong> Gough
\n<\/strong>President
\nTechnical College of the Lowcountry
\nBeaufort, SC<\/p>\n

Marc<\/strong> Greene
\n<\/strong>Commander, Joint Base Charleston
\nUS Air Force
\nJoint Base Charleston, SC<\/p>\n

Eric<\/strong> Greenway
\n<\/strong>County Administrator
\nBeaufort County Council
\nBeaufort, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sean<\/strong> Holleran
\n<\/strong>Vice President
\nFirst National Bank
\nMt. Pleasant, SC<\/p>\n

Jermaine<\/strong> Husser
\n<\/strong>VP of Mission Enterprise
\nPalmetto Goodwill
\nNorth Charleston, SC<\/p>\n

Christopher<\/strong> Ibsen
\n<\/strong>President
\nDolphin Architects & Builders
\nJohns Island, SC<\/p>\n

Adrienne<\/strong> Johnson
\n<\/strong>Senior Staff Attorney
\nLaw Office of the Public Defender, DeKalb County
\nDecatur, GA<\/p>\n

Missy<\/strong> Johnson
\n<\/strong>CPA
\nElliott Davis
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Amanda<\/strong> Jones
\n<\/strong>Director, Pastoral Care and Clinical Pastoral Education
\nRoper St. Francis Healthcare
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Margaret<\/strong> Lawton
\n<\/strong>Associate Dean for Academics, Professor of Law
\nCharleston School of Law
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Arden<\/strong> Lowndes
\n<\/strong>Associate Attorney
\nCopeland Stair Kingma & Lovell, LLP
\nCharleston, SC\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chris<\/strong> McKinney
\n<\/strong>CEO\/Executive Director
\nSantee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments
\nSumter, SC<\/p>\n

Eliot<\/strong> Middleton
\n<\/strong>Owner\/Operator
\nMiddleton & Maker Village BBQ
\nAwendaw, SC<\/p>\n

Ashley<\/strong> Nelson
\n<\/strong>Program and Communications Officer
\nFrances P. Bunnelle Foundation
\nPawleys Island, SC<\/p>\n

Keith<\/strong> Price
\n<\/strong>Superintendent
\nGeorgetown County School District
\nGeorgetown, SC<\/p>\n

John<\/strong> Rhoden
\n<\/strong>Executive Director
\nSea Island Habitat for Humanity
\nJohns Island, SC<\/p>\n

Frank<\/strong> Rodriguez
\n<\/strong>Superintendent
\nBeaufort County School District
\nBeaufort, SC<\/p>\n

Jason<\/strong> Sakran
\n<\/strong>Director of Expanded Learning
\nCharleston County School District
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Nikki<\/strong> Seibert
\n<\/strong>Food System Consultant
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong> Swanciger
\n<\/strong>Executive Director
\nFather to Father
\nNorth Charleston, SC<\/p>\n

Scott<\/strong> Teodorski
\n<\/strong>Superintendent
\nNational Park Service
\nBeaufort, SC<\/p>\n

Alicia<\/strong> Thompson
\n<\/strong>Office Managing Partner, Myrtle Beach Office
\nBurr & Forman, LLP
\nMyrtle Beach, SC<\/p>\n

Allison<\/strong> Van Diest
\n<\/strong>Senior Director of Marketing & Intelligence
\nBlackbaud
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Rob<\/strong> Wehrman
\n<\/strong>Associate
\nDuffy & Young
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Guang Ming<\/strong> Whitley
\n<\/strong>Councilmember
\nTown of Mount Pleasant
\nMt. Pleasant, SC<\/p>\n

Wayne<\/strong> Wilcher
\n<\/strong>Director of Contracts, Procurement, & Archived Services
\nCharleston County School District
\nNorth Charleston, SC<\/p>\n

Kimberly<\/strong> Willis
\n<\/strong>Director, Community Health
\nRoper St. Francis Healthcare
\nCharleston, SC<\/p>\n

Nicole<\/strong> Wren
\n<\/strong>Manager Talent Acquisition
\nSantee Cooper
\nMoncks Corner, 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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thirty-nine leaders from across the Lowcountry 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":975,"template":"","update-categories":[11,18],"class_list":["post-974","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\/974","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\/974\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"furman-update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/riley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-categories?post=974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}