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35 Upstate leaders selected to become Riley Fellows
Ross Norton //August 18, 2023
Thirty-five leaders from across the Upstate will participate in the Riley Institute’s intensive five-month Diversity Leaders Initiative program, designed for them to learn the skills and perspectives necessary to leverage diversity in their organizations in ways that drive social and economic progress in South Carolina.
Participants of the Diversity Leaders Initiative 34th Upstate class were selected through an application and interview process after being nominated by alumni of the program. 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, according to a news release. Each class is assembled 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,” Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute, said in the news release. “This class offers participants the tools and experiences to understand the nuanced challenges facing diverse segments of our community and to develop meaningful solutions.”
Diversity Leaders Initiative classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Co.’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, the release said.
Class members also work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to 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,” Gordon said in the release. “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 |
Tomeika Bennett |
|
Michelle Bounds |
Noel Brooks |
|
William Brothers |
Anthony Brown |
|
Rob Carson |
Erik Ching |
|
Dorothy Dowe |
Neval Erturk |
|
Keli Fewox |
Danielle Fontaine |
|
Tiffany Foster |
Lillian Garcia |
|
Mike Gardner |
Trevor Hamilton |
|
Midas Hampton |
Dixon Harrill |
|
Melissa Huff |
Ed Irick |
|
Amy Keely |
Andrew Koury |
|
James Lindsey |
Chad Lott |
|
Annie Maertens |
Mac McArthur |
|
Lustra Miller |
Julian Plasencia |
|
Tyler Prescott |
Kira Reaves |
|
Bobby Rettew Assistant Professor Anderson University Anderson |
Staci Roberts |
|
Johnny Sellers |
Johnny Sexton |
|
Teresa Webster |
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