41 Upstate leaders selected to become Riley Fellows

Over the next five months, they will participate in the Riley Institute’s award-winning Diversity Leaders Initiative before joining a network of more than 2,500 graduates across the state.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Forty-one leaders from across the Upstate will 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 are members of DLI’s 32nd Upstate class, were selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by DLI alumni. They are uniquely positioned to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.

“In a time of significant social strife, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities to improve outcomes for all,” said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. “The DLI experience will help them as they lead South Carolina toward a better tomorrow.”

DLI classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Company’s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.

Over five months, 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.

Class members also work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities.

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.

“With more than 2,500 Riley Fellows statewide, the impact these tight-knit leaders have is amplified with the addition of every new class,” Gordon said. “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.”

Listed below are the participants of the fall 2022 Upstate DLI class. The full roster of program graduates can be found online at furman.edu/riley.

Fall 2022 Upstate class participants:

Ankoma Anderson
Clergy
Welfare Baptist Church
Belton

Will Angelich
Terminal Manager, Inland Port Greer
South Carolina State Ports Authority
Greer

Kaye Brewer
CHRO
AnMed Health
Anderson

Laney Buckley
Director of Community Services
Catawba Nation
Rock Hill

Eva Burgmeier
Department Manager, Planning, Steering, Compensation & Benefits, Grading
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Matthew Burns
Vice President for Student Development
South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Greenville

Barbara Chappell
Vice President for Development
Butler Academy
Hartsville

Drew Cockman
Manager | Corporate Audit Americas – Development, Purchasing, Production
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Pierluigi Cumo
Senior Director Michelin Brand, E-Retail/E-Commerce
Michelin North America
Greenville

Megan Early-Soppa
Partner
Moseley Marcinak Law Group
Taylors

Larry Epps
Senior Chaplain
Perry Correctional
South Carolina Department of Corrections
Pelzer

Shaunté Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Spartanburg Housing
Spartanburg

Carlos Grant
Principal
Greenville County Schools
Wade Hampton High School
Greenville

Kelly Gregory
Director, Public Education Partnerships and Projects
Furman University
Greenville

Rosalyn Henderson-Myers
Representative
South Carolina House of Representatives
Spartanburg

Qena Jennings
Program Director
Public Education Partners
Greenville

Kate Kaufman
VP Services & Solutions
Michelin North America
Greenville

John Kaup
Director of Science Education
Furman University
Greenville

William Kenley
Chief Executive Officer
AnMed Health
Anderson

Beth Lancaster
Chief Communications Officer
Spartanburg School District 7
Spartanburg

Jamie Landrum
Lieutenant Colonel
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Columbia

Stacey Laurin
DEI Program Leader
Milliken and Company
Spartanburg

Connie Lennick
VP, Human Resources & Talent
United Way of Greenville County
Greenville

Julie Lonon
Associate Director of Philanthropy
The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina
Greenville

Lauren Luneckas
Executive Director
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Greenville

Brad McMillen
AOE Technical Director
Michelin North America
Greenville

Courtney Meeks
HR Manager
Milliken and Company
Spartanburg

Larry Miller
Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development
Greenville Technical College
Greenville

Chuck Morrow
Chief Medical Officer
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Spartanburg

Salena Mulliken
Chief Financial Officer
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Greenville

Jennifer Olmert
Executive Director
Upstate Mediation Center
Greenville

Shannon Owen
Director of Operations
Hispanic Alliance
Greenville

Felicia Sanders
Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Michelin North America
Greenville

Lorilei Swanson
Upstate Regional Family Engagement Liaison and Project Lead
Carolina Family Engagement Center
Mountain Rest

John Thomas
Chief Diversity Officer
Self Regional Healthcare
Greenwood

Shaunda Trotter
Vice President of Patient Care Services
AnMed Health
Anderson

Rob Warren
Major Gifts – Institutes
Furman University
Greenville

Andrea White
Executive Director
Food Bank of Greenwood County
Greenwood

Claire Whitlinger
Associate Professor of Sociology
Furman University
Greenville

Stacy Wright
Assembly Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Michael Yearout
Captain
City of Greenville Police Department
Greenville