The Riley Institute at Furman University announced August 18 it has chosen 41 leaders to participate in its 32nd Upstate Diversity Leaders Initiative program.
During the five-month program, participants will:
- Engage in intensive discussions and scenario analyses to allow them to openly examine sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion with fellow leaders.
- Explore “blind spots.”
- Gain tools to develop strategies within their own organizations.
- Work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities.
The fall 2022 Upstate class includes:
- Ankoma Anderson, Welfare Baptist Church – Belton
- Will Angelich, South Carolina State Ports Authority – Greer
- Kaye Brewer, William Kenley and Shaunda Trotter, AnMed Health – Anderson
- Laney Buckley, Catawba Nation – Rock Hill
- Eva Burgmeier, Drew Cockman and Stacy Wright, BMW Manufacturing – Greer
- Matthew Burns, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities – Greenville
- Barbara Chappell, Butler Academy – Hartsville
- Pierluigi Cumo, Kate Kaufman, Brad McMillen and Felicia Sanders, Michelin North America – Greenville
- Megan Early-Soppa, Moseley Marcinak Law Group – Taylors
- Larry Epps, South Carolina Department of Corrections – Pelzer
- Shaunté Evans, Spartanburg Housing
- Carlos Grant, Greenville County Schools
- Kelly Gregory, John Kaup, Rob Warren and Claire Whitlinger, Furman University – Greenville
- Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, South Carolina House of Representatives – Spartanburg
- Qena Jennings, Public Education Partners – Greenville
- Beth Lancaster, Spartanburg School District 7
- Jamie Landrum, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – Columbia
- Stacey Laurin and Courtney Meeks, Milliken and Company – Spartanburg
- Connie Lennick, United Way of Greenville County
- Julie Lonon, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina – Greenville
- Lauren Luneckas, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Greenville
- Larry Miller, Greenville Technical College
- Chuck Morrow, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
- Salena Mulliken, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
- Jennifer Olmert, Upstate Mediation Center – Greenville
- Shannon Owen, Hispanic Alliance – Greenville
- Lorilei Swanson, Carolina Family Engagement Center – Mountain Rest
- John Thomas, Self Regional Healthcare – Greenwood
- Andrea White, Food Bank of Greenwood County
- Michael Yearout, City of Greenville Police Department
“In a time of significant social strife, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities to improve outcomes for all,” said Riley Institute Executive Director Don Gordon. “The DLI experience will help them as they lead South Carolina toward a better tomorrow. With more than 2,500 Riley Fellows statewide, the impact these tight-knit leaders have is amplified with the addition of every new class. It’s a special thing to witness them coming together to make South Carolina a better place to live and work for all its residents.”
For more information, visit furman.edu/riley.
