COLUMBIA, S.C. —35 leaders from across the Midlands 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’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).
These leaders, who graduated from DLI’s fourteenth Midlands class on June 7, 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 “blind spots,” and gain tools to develop diversity strategies within their own organizations.
Since its inception 19 years ago, DLI has become a cornerstone of Furman University’s Riley Institute. With the graduation of Midlands and Upstate classes this spring, the program has reached a notable milestone with more than 2,500 leaders from across the state having graduated from the program.
“In a time of significant strife both nationally and internationally, it gives me great hope to see so many South Carolina leaders remain committed to driving positive change in their workplaces and communities with the tools they’ve gained in DLI,” said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute.
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.
DLI is facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, who was The Coca-Cola Company’s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.
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.
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 Richland County Public Education Partners, Christian Assistance Bridge, Homeless No More, Black Economic Leadership League, and SC Foster Parent Association.
The full roster of Riley Fellows is available online at furman.edu/riley. These are the graduates of the spring 2022 Midlands DLI class:
Richard Band
Trustee
Arras Foundation
Lancaster
Mark Barnes
Director of Administration
SC First Steps
Columbia
Janet Bell
Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer
SC Department of Mental Health
Columbia
Derek Black
Professor of Law
University of South Carolina School of Law
Columbia
Jake Broom
Chief Operating Officer
Municipal Association of South Carolina
Columbia
Lisa Brown
Director of Strategy Management
City of Rock Hill
Rock Hill
John Bruton
Attorney
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Columbia
Neal Burkhead
Vice President
Palmetto GBA (BlueCross BlueShield)
Columbia
Quinetta Buterbaugh
District Manager - Government and Community Relations
Duke Energy
Florence
Anita Case
Chief Executive Officer
Affinity Health Center
Rock Hill
Sally Caver
Attorney
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Columbia
Jamie Devine
President and CEO
Community Assistance Provider
Columbia
Stephanie Frazier
Assistant General Manager
SCETV
Columbia
Doward Harvin
Attorney
Sabb Law Group, LLC
Kingstree
Hannah Honeycutt
Executive Director
SC Access to Justice Commission
Columbia
Todd Jaeck
Executive Director
South Carolina Education Association
Columbia
Steven Johnson
Assistant Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Columbia
Matt Kennell
President and CEO
City Center Partnership
Columbia
Dan Koon
Deputy Commissioner for Consultative Services
SC Human Affairs Commission
Columbia
Ashley Lamb
Manager of HR Programs
Robinson Gray Stepp & Lafitte, LLC
Columbia
Lasenta Lewis-Ellis
President and CEO
LLE Construction Group, LLC
Columbia
Sarah Martin
Vice President, Partner Solutions
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Columbia
Jack McKenzie
Attorney
McDonald, McKenzie, Rubin, Miller & Lybrand, LLP
Columbia
Alvin Pressley
Superintendent
Newberry County School District
Newberry
Sidney Rex
CFO
W. B. Guimarin & Co., Inc.
Columbia
Monty Robertson
Director, Alliance for a Healthier SC
South Carolina Hospital Association
Columbia
Ron Scott
Attorney
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Columbia
Chrysti Shain
Director of Communications
SC Department of Corrections
Columbia
Kimberly Snipes
YLD & Diversity Coordinator
South Carolina Bar
Columbia
Roy Still
Trustee
Arras Foundation
Lancaster
Michael Strange
Executive Vice President
Security Federal Bank
West Columbia
John Thomas
Chief Diversity Officer
Self Regional Healthcare
Greenwood
Meghan Walker
Executive Director
South Carolina State Ethics Commission
Columbia
Megan Weis
Director of Community Engagement
SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare
Columbia
Ericka Wooten
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC
Columbia
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