The Riley Institute at Furman University has chosen 41 leaders to participate in its 33rd Upstate Diversity Leaders Initiative program, the organization announce Jan. 19.
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 spring 2023 Upstate class includes:
- Clay Adams, Pacolet Milliken – Greenville
- Laura Allen, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas – Spartanburg
- Eddy Bailey, BMW Manufacturing – Duncan
- Becca Barnett, Corley Moore and René Vaughn, Milliken – Spartanburg
- Eric Bebber, Beacon Property Services – Spartanburg
- Bonnie Bommelje, Adam Broomhall and Ericka Suber, BMW Manufacturing – Greer
- Blake Bridges, WYFF 4 TV – Greenville
- Alesia Brown, Piedmont Technical College – Greenwood
- Cori Burnett, Pierluigi Cumo, Alex Fausse and David Wage, Michelin North America – Greenville
- Shawna Bynum, Spartanburg County First Steps (The Franklin School)
- Crystal Chapman-Brown and Matthew Logan, Self Regional Healthcare – Greenwood
- Charlene Cheeks, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate – Greenville
- Sarita Chourey, Jason Donnelly, Franklin Ellis and Kyle Longest, Furman University – Greenville
- Laurie Clough, VMware Inc. – Salem
- Demond Criss, Greenville County Schools – Greenville
- Kristal Doherty, Greenville Technical College – Greenville
- Kandi Fredere, SC DHEC – Greenwood
- Regan Freeman, The Echo Project – Laurens
- Kristin Garner, Communities In Schools of South Carolina – Greenville
- Lisa Jackson, Clemson University – Clemson
- Randy Jackson Sr., Phillis Wheatley Community Center – Greenville
- Chris Lombardozzi, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
- Grant Nicholson, TD Bank – Greenville
- Zach Park and Darrell Walker, Snider Fleet Solutions – Greensboro, North Carolina
- Ford Riddle, United Way of Greenville County
- Allison Safford, Hollingsworth Funds – Greenville
- Kendra Thornton, Elliott Davis – Greenville
- Lora Tucker, Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands – Greenville
- Janet Zuckerman, McMillan Pazdan Smith – Greenville
“With more than 2,600 Riley Fellows statewide, the impact these tight-knit leaders have is amplified with the addition of every new class,” said Riley Institute Executive Director Don Gordon. “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.
