Furman University’s Richard W. Riley Institute announced Dec. 9 that 40 people graduated from its 30th Diversity Leadership Initiative (DLI) Upstate class.
Class participants included corporate CEOs, legislators, superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders, such as:
- Amit Arora, Katelyn Berry and Chuck McFadden of Michelin North America
- Joshua Buckley and Tracy Smoak of BMW Manufacturing
- Mike Bundy of Prisma Health – Columbia
- Jackie Carson, Meredith Green and John Milby of Furman University
- Eric Connor of The Post and Courier
- Robin Dease of The United Methodist Church – Bluffton
- Jeremiah Dew of JDew Productions LLC
- Julia Dietz of Audubon South Carolina – Charleston
- LaTomya Doctor of SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
- Basil Dosunmu of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District
- Akili Franklin of WYFF 4/Hearst Television
- Melanie Gearhart of Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC
- Paola Gutierrez of SC Office of Rural Health – Lexington
- Jeff Harris of Catawba Indian Nation – Rock Hill
- Robert Hughes of Hughes Development Corporation
- Allen Jacoby, Kasel Knight and Cammie Mackie of Milliken and Company
- Merle Johnson of the city of Greenville
- JaLisa Jordan of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
- Jordy Kirr of Clemson University Athletic Department
- Sylvia Martin of The Arts Council of Greenwood County
- Travis McDowell of Greenville Technical College
- Smyth McKissick of Alice Company
- Chelsea McNeill of South Carolina Public Defender’s Office – Greenwood
- Kevin Mertens of Christ Church Episcopal
- Beth Messick of Jasmine Road
- Chunsta Miller of Washington Prime Group – Moore
- LaKeta Norwood of Prisma Health – Greenville
- Katherine Pendergrass of ReGenesis Health Care – Chester
- Catherine Schumacher of Public Education Partners
- Hariette Stinson of Spartanburg Water
- Eric Vinson of the city of Travelers Rest
- George Ward of Greenville County Schools
- Heather Witt of Kulic Strategic Advisers
During the program, participants worked together to develop capstone projects by partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to challenges and opportunities in their communities. Participating nonprofits included:
- Disability Rights South Carolina
- Let There Be Mom
- Jasmine Road
- The International African American Museum
- Beauty Marks for Girls
“Society faces enormous challenges on multiple fronts in 2021,” said Riley Institute executive director Don Gordon. “Now more than ever, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities in the pursuit of better outcomes for all. I look forward to seeing how our newest Riley Fellows continue to drive positive change in their workplaces and communities with the tools they’ve gained in DLI, even in these unprecedented times.”
Since its inception 18 years ago, more than 2,300 people have graduated from the DLI program.
For more information, visit furman.edu/riley.
